Like many Christians in the west I have been tremendously burdened by the news of recent events in the Middle East. We are seeing a resurgence of Jihadism in our time that is a powerful echo of the militant Islamic armies that once swept across North Africa, the Middle East and into Europe. An Islam that either subjugated or exterminated Christianity and any other faiths in the lands they conquered. It reached it’s peak at the very gates of Vienna and was finally flung back at the battle of Tours by Charles Martel but has never abandoned it’s ambition of world conquest. ISIS has published a map outlining it’s five year plan literally called “Invitation to Islam” It looks like this.
Christians, members of other faiths and even moderate muslims are “Invited” to either;
1) Convert to Islam
2) Pay the Jizya (a tax on non Muslims without which they are liable to be persecuted)
3) Die
4) Or Leave, often with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.
It seems inconceivable that this can happen in the modern world that ancient societies can be wiped out and a worldview imposed by force, however that is exactly what is happening.
I recently had the privilege of visiting Istanbul, once a jewel in the Christian crown but now a city in which Christ is hardly known. It was “Invited” to become Islamic a few centuries ago by the armies of Islam. Tens of thousand of Christians either fled, were exiled and enslaved, put to death or were forced to convert at the point of the sword. It seems that ISIS have the same plan for Mosul and the cities in Iraq.
How do we respond?
1) Get Heaven’s Perspective.
In times like this as we are confronted by the awful news we see on the television it is tempting to despair and retreat into fear, anger and even hatred of those who are committing these terrible crimes. However hatred and fear only breed more hatred and fear and will lead to our own self enslavement. This is a call for the western world to rediscover the faith that gave rise to our civilisation and it’s freedoms in the first place. Our faith in the Love of God, and the Loving God. As the Bible says “Perfect Love casts out all Fear”. Remember that love has overcome armies and empires time and time again, the power of Rome, imposed by force, is long gone but the church that was persecuted in that time survived and overcame. In that time the book of the Revelation was written to a persecuted church to remind them that even though they were surrounded by enemies on earth the ultimate reality was that Jesus is still seated on the throne and ultimately every demonic foe will be vanquished. When the Roman Empire was over thrown in the west by the Germanic hordes and it seemed the name of Christ would disappear from the continent of Europe, the seeds of the gospel were sown into the ashes and the Church arose again to disciple the people who had brought destruction to an empire, a way of life, a civilisation. The church behind the iron curtain grew despite persecution and ultimately the curtain fell revealing a church not exterminated but alive and strong in faith. Even today in communist China despite tremendous suffering the church continues to grow confounding the power of and all invasive state. See Revelation 4.
2) Remember this is not New
Darkness and persecution are not new. In the first century Christians were losing their lives persecuted by a ungodly alliance of a political spirit (Spirit of Antichrist) and a religious spirit (Whore of Babylon) trying to rule the world. The Revelation was written to this persecuted church, in their trial to encourage them that Christ was still on the throne, that Martyrs had not lost their lives in vain, that from the perspective of eternity we see “Christus Victor” It is the same today. As we speak thousands of people are coming to Christ in the Muslim world, in fact the greatest revival amongst Muslims in history is currently under way. Much of this is happening by supernatural means as Muslims encounter Jesus through dreams, visions, miracles and other supernatural occurences. Jesus loves the Muslim world and has a plan for the freedom of these nations. Pray for the millions of men and women who are trapped under the yoke of Islam. Read testimonies and stories of those who are finding and serving Jesus from a Muslim background so that your prayers will be filled with love and compassion rather than fear and anger. It is for the freedom of the whole world that Christ came!
3) Pray with Faith
It is a time to pray with faith for the Muslim world. I am not talking about hand wringing pleading before the throne of God as if we were trying to move the hand of a reluctant God, nor fearful chest pounding as if God were not in control nor praying as if we had more compassion than God himself. I am speaking about praying as throne-room prophets. What does that mean?
Pray from the throne-room not towards the throne-room. Jesus is on the throne and has all authority in heaven and on earth. He has not lost control. We are currently seated with Christ in Heavenly places. Let us pray and release the government of heaven into the nations. All nations. God has said that his plan is to cover the whole earth with the glory of God. See it, declare it, release it.
4) Listen for God’s voice to see if he has more for you to do for either our brothers and sisters of the suffering church or for the millions who have yet to meet Jesus.
There is no doubt that Militant Islam is one of the great challenges facing the world today. We must prepare ourselves to understand, reach out and even resist this worldview. However faith, love and truth will ultimately prevail.
Their is more we can do, this was just some things swirling around in my spirit over the last few days.
Remember the promise of Isaiah 60
(New American Standard Bible – NASB)
1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 “For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
3 “Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
