Elisha Vision – Commentary

(I especially appreciate Yaachov Kirchen, the Israeli Jewish cartoonist, who has been drawing Dry Bones since 1973. Thank you Mr. Kirchen for your sensitivity to the crisis facing Christians in the Middle East.)

Christians persecuted by Islamists, says Prince Charles

“For 20 years I have tried to build bridges between Islam and Christianity to dispel ignorance and misunderstanding,” he told the audience. The point though, surely, is that we have now reached a crisis where bridges are rapidly being deliberately destroyed by those with a vested interest in doing so. This is achieved through intimidation, false accusation and organised persecution including to the Christian communities in the Middle East at the present time.”

Prince Charles was very tolerant and embracing of Islam in the past, but I appreciate his new statement. Perhaps he is waking up to the threat. I pray that he will be blessed with “eyes to see and ears to hear.”

It is time for the Western world to recognize the terrible persecution of Christians. It is not that we are surprised. Jesus predicted it. Yet we must pray and sound the alarm. We need to resist the propaganda that says Islam is a peaceful religion. Christians are not second class citizens in one Muslim country, but virtually every Muslim country. It is in the DNA of the religion. It is in the sacred texts of Islam.

Of course, it is not only Islam, but Hollywood and many media outlets also denigrate Christians. This is a sign of the times. We must be willing to embrace persecution. We don’t need to provoke it unnecessarily, but accept it when it comes. That does not mean we hide or hold back our confession of faith, but just don’t be surprised when persecution comes.

Jesus said: Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:11-12, 43-44

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20

During this season of the Messiah’s birth, let us remember and pray for Christians suffering real tribulation even as we celebrate the great joy of our salvation: Immanuel, God with us!

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists         (READ MORE)