Persecution Blog

Modern Day Idols

“Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle. Your carriages were heavily loaded, a burden to the weary beats. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but have themselves gone into captivity” (Isaiah 46:1-2).

Much of the world is still held captive by physical “idols.” These images, or objects, occupy a prominent place in modern worship for many world religions. Idols are often associated with pagan religions and are prominently featured in the worship practices of many Buddhists and Hindus.

The prophet Isaiah joined many other ancient prophets in pointing to the futility of idol worship. Isaiah noted that “beasts of burden” were used to transport these idols since they were unable to move themselves. He also indicated that the people who worshipped them had created complex systems of appeasement. In a bizarre irony, the worship of idols produced unnecessary, self-imposed captivity.

When I took the above photograph on a trip to visit brothers and sisters who live in a restricted nation in Asia, I was keenly aware of the contrast between the lavishness of the idol and the scarcity experienced in the village. The only way to navigate this part of the country is by boat. The villagers live on houses raised by stilts. On one end of their house, many wash their eating utensils in the open water. On the other end of the house, some have lavatories that empty into the same water.

The daily existence of these villagers depends on the fish they can catch, or the crops they can nurture in this flooded region. Theirs is a difficult life on several levels. Physically, they struggle to survive, wrestling with illness, disease, hunger and the lack of electricity.

They also struggle spiritually. Their prescribed “path” to God is one filled with rituals and sacrifice. Even a casual observer quickly makes out the dark hues of their obligatory bondage.

Strangely, in the midst of their deep poverty, they are surrounded by dozens of temples filled with riches. These temples display ornate decorations and spectacular golden statues, amid clouds of incense.

VOM is actively supporting believers who meet in a simple hut in this village. There are no golden statues and no ornate spectacles. In these modest gatherings, you will find simple, humble men and women reading Scripture, singing joyful hymns and praying for the strength to stand strong when they face the persecution delivered by their government and hostile neighbors.

May God help us remember these dear family members as they boldly counter their culture. May He also give us the grace to discern the ways that we are tempted to install “idols” in our lives.

Let us pray for the wisdom we need to worship the God who declared to Isaiah, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Dr. Jason Peters serves in VOM’s International Ministries department, traveling frequently to meet with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. He lived overseas for five years and has ministered in more than 30 countries as diverse as Cuba, Nepal, Iraq and Indonesia. He and his wife, Kimberly, along with their five children, count it a great honor to serve with the persecuted church.

"The Grain of God"

“The life of man is a continual death, unless it be that Christ lives in him.”

—Ignatius

Ignatius was a disciple of the apostle John and had publicly reproved Emperor Trajan Antioch for worshiping idols. However, Trajan swore to take public revenge on Ignatius in return for his embarrassing rebuke.

Ignatius was arrested and brought to Rome. As he was led away to the pit of lions, he told another believer, “My dear Jesus, my Savior, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped into pieces, the name Jesus would be found on every piece.”

When the multitude of people was assembled to witness his death, Ignatius boldly addressed the cheering crowd. “I am the grain of God. I am ground by the teeth of the beast, that I may be found a pure bread of Christ, who is to me the Bread of Life.”

As soon as he had spoken these words, two hungry lions devoured him. He lived up to his surname, Theophorus, “the bearer of God.” To the very end, he bore the name of God and his Savior on his lips. He had often said, “The crucified Christ is my only and entire love.” And to the end he found solace in this simple truth: “As the world hates the Christians, so God loves them.”

Marriage tradition holds that a wife should bear her husband’s name as a symbol of their union. They are no longer two people, but one. As a couple grows old together, they begin to share more than just the same last name. They share the same friends and interests. They begin to finish each other’s sentences. And some begin to even strangely resemble one another . . . such is their long-standing intimacy. In the same way, those who bear the name “Christian” or “little Christ” develop the same intimacy—a oneness with the Savior. Are you wearing well the name of Christ? Like Ignatius, does sharing Jesus’ name inspire you to share in his sufferings, his ministry, and his life?

This is one of the readings from the book, Extreme Devotion, available from VOM’s online bookstore.

Weekly Prayer Requests

How can you pray for persecuted Christians this week? Here are some specific requests for this week. (Feel free to print them out and take them with you to church this weekend to share with Christian friends and others who will pray with you.)

NIGERIA — Christians Displaced by Muslim Insurgents

VOM Sources

Between May and September of 2013, Boko Haram militants killed more than 60 people and caused 14,000 to flee their homes in the Gwoza community of Borno state, Nigeria. Three young Christian girls were kidnapped and abused by the group for three weeks during the same period. The militants also occupied, burned or destroyed many churches, schools and homes of Christians. The violence has forced about 6,500 Christians to seek shelter in area refugee camps, and another 5,000 have fled to the bordering country of Cameroon. VOM staff took the three girls who were abducted to the VOM-supported Stephen Center, a boarding school for victims of persecution in Nigeria, where they are recovering. Psalm 71:20–21

 

COLOMBIA — Pastor Killed for Refusing to Close Church

VOM Sources

Pastors in Colombia’s Putumayo province continue to face extreme pressure to close their churches or face execution by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). According to a VOM worker, the pastor of a Pentecostal church in Puerto Guzman, Putumayo, was recently killed for refusing to close his church. And the FARC told the pastor of the Christian Cross Church in Puerto Humbria, Putumayo, that they would kill him, too, if he didn’t close his church. John 14:19

 

IRAN — Church Leaders Released from Prison

Mohabat News

After 220 days in prison, Pastor Farhad Sabokrouh and another church minister, Naser Zamen-Dezfuli, were released on Dec. 4, 2013. On Dec. 23, 2011, Iranian authorities raided their Assemblies of God church service and arrested everyone in attendance, including children. Several hours later, the authorities released everyone but Pastor Sabokrouh; the pastor’s wife, Shahnaz Jayzan; Naser Zamen-Dezfuli; and another church member, Davoud Alijani. The four were later released on bail, but in October 2012 they were each sentenced to one year in prison for “converting to Christianity, inviting Muslims to convert and acting against state security through evangelistic activities.” The four were summoned to court on May 1, 2013, to begin serving their sentences. Davoud Alijani was sent to Karoon prison in Ahvaz, while the other three were transferred to Sepider Prison in Ahvaz. Davoud and Shahnaz remain in prison. 1 Peter 2:20–21

Image credit: PossAbilities Prayer Team

The Man In My Dreams

Have you ever read the book of Acts and wondered why it doesn’t feel like God is working as miraculously in the world as he did then? Peter and the other disciples stood on the temple grounds on that Pentecost day and spoke in the tongues of many nations and about 3,000 people came to Christ in one day.

If you need some encouragement that God still DOES work in amazing, miraculous ways, then I recommend a new book VOM is offering called Dreams and Visions, by Tom Doyle, a VOM partner. Dreams and Visions has more than 20 testimonies of how God is using dreams and visions in the lives of Muslim men and women who might otherwise never be able to experience who Jesus Christ is. God interacts with them miraculously to call them to himself.

I praise God for how he works! But the other thing that stands out to me from these testimonies is how in almost every case, God gave the person a supernatural experience with himself, but they also needed human contact with a Christian for them to take the final step to accepting Christ, or to provide them with a Bible or to explain some aspect of Christianity to them.

Most of us probably don’t think we’ll ever have much opportunity to assist a Muslim or anyone in this way. But Tom tells a story of stopping at a gas station one day as he was late to an appointment. Somehow his conversation with the woman at the cash register led to his asking her what she knew about Jesus Christ… and suddenly she revealed that she’d been having “Jesus Dreams” for more than 20 years.

Though she lived in the United States, she’d never had an opportunity for someone to explain Christ more fully to her. God was at work in her life for 20 years, preparing her heart, and was just waiting for one of his followers to finish the job for him.

Clearly God doesn’t need us to do his work. But he invites us to be a part of transforming the world, one person at a time as we stay attuned to the Holy Spirit. I want to be a part of that, and I hope you do, too. Dreams and Visions ($9)  will get you inspired about what God is already doing… and call you to join in where you are. 

Dory P. has worked with VOM for six years. She grew up in Ecuador, met her husband while working with another mission organization, and now lives in Oklahoma. Between Dory, her husband and three-year-old son, they share five passports. Dory helps tell the stories of the persecuted through VOM's newsletter, and her husband serves with VOM's international department.

Christmas Care Nepal

Nepal is one of the world's poorest nations. In addition to poverty, our brothers and sisters there face persecution from Hindu and Maoist fanatics. Attacks on individuals and churches are not uncommon for believers living in this hostile nation. Just recently, a pastor was stabbed to death by a man who had asked him to come pray for his healing.

You can join us in remembering our persecuted family members in Nepal this Christmas by sponsoring Christmas Care Packs or Village Outreach Packs.

Christmas Care Pack

Christmas Care Packs include a
backpack filled with items such as a children's Bible, school supplies, clothing, shoes and basic toiletry items. These packs can be sponsored for $25 each.

Village Outreach Packs include a small library of materials that will help a pastor or evangelist further the gospel in Nepal. These packs, which include study materials, walking shoes, a coat and a digital music player, can be sponsored for $75 each.

Thank you for standing with our persecuted family.

Five Myths of Persecution

Timothy Samuel Shah, Associate Director and Scholar-in-Residence at the Religious Freedom Project, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University, recently penned an opinion piece about persecuted Christians around the world that appeared on FoxNews.com. The piece explores five "myths" about Christian persecution, and reasons why it is largely ignored in the West, especially by the media.

Most of these victims [of Christian persecution] will continue to be ignored, however, as long as five myths continue to cloud popular thinking about global Christian persecution. Based on an abundance of new evidence, the experts in Rome will show that the myths don't stand up to the facts.

Shaw then goes on to expore the five myths, including the myth that persecution is only a Middle East issue and the myth that Christians actually bring persecution on themselves by their actions and philosophies.

You can read Shaw's piece here. 

Do you agree with his positions? Do you feel that the media adaquately and accurately covers stories of Christian persecution? If not, why do you think they don't?

Continue the discussion in the comments section to this post.

"I Love My Bible So Much!"

Recently, The Voice of the Martyrs sponsored a Bible distribution in western Uganda. I hope you'll be encouraged by the excitement of this young woman, one of those who received a Bible:

 

With the help of faithful, generous supporters, VOM will distribute more than one million Bibles into restricted and hostile nations in 2013. If you'd like to be a part of deliving Bibles to Christians like this young woman, CLICK HERE to give online.

FOXE Voices: Thomas (ca. AD 70)

With the exception of Peter and Paul, we have more information on the subsequent life of Thomas than on any of the other apostles. Most of the material comes from tradition. For a disciple with a doubtful reputation, he certainly left behind a variety of regions that name him among the founders of their ancient traditions of faith.

The account in John’s Gospel gives us the most glimpses of Thomas, but they come within the last few weeks of Jesus’ ministry. Apparently his character traits became more obvious under the growing pressure of opposition. Keenly aware of the danger waiting for Jesus in Jerusalem, Thomas voiced the outlook that must have been on all their minds when he said, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (John 11:16). Perhaps more clearly than the other disciples, Thomas thought that if their hopes of a kingdom with Jesus as the leader fell through, death would result. Jesus’ frequent references to His death may have confused some of the disciples, but it seems to have unsettled Thomas.

Our next glimpse of Thomas comes during the Last Supper when he reacts to Jesus’ comforting words about His Father’s house. Thomas reveals that his heart is indeed troubled when he blurts out, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). We can be grateful for Thomas’s boldness, for it allowed Jesus to make one of His clearest claims about His role as Lord and Savior: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Thomas’s third outburst came the evening of Resurrection Sunday (or very early on Monday). Jesus had appeared to ten of the disciples on Sunday evening, with Thomas as the only absentee. Perhaps he was reacting differently than the rest of the disciples to the news that Jesus had arisen. They gathered, but Thomas stayed away. When informed of Jesus’ visit, Thomas responded with daring doubts:

The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).

A week later, that dare was met. Jesus appeared before all of them, and Thomas’s doubts vaporized as he declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Jesus used the occasion to make another crucial point about the nature of faith: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

The passion Jesus awakened in His disciples drove them out to bless thousands who would not have the privilege of seeing, but would believe the testimony of those gladly willing to lay down their lives for their convictions. Once Thomas left Jerusalem, there’s no evidence that he ever returned. He left his doubts behind. He headed for the ends of the earth. He undoubtedly found that Jesus was true to His promise of companionship to the end.

Thomas traveled north and east from Israel, passing through Babylon and Persia and making an impact for the gospel as far as the southern regions of India. Long-standing traditions about his journeys far beyond the boundaries of Roman control remain even today. Many of the places and kings associated with Thomas that were thought to be merely legendary have been confirmed by independent historical and archeological studies. Undeniably, developed civilizations lay beyond the horizon to the east, and Jesus’ words, “to the ends of the earth,” must have constantly echoed in the apostles’ minds. The trade routes he would have used have existed for thousands of years. Portuguese mariners and explorers in the sixteenth century reported evidence of Thomas’s ministry, including a sizeable band of believers known as the St. Thomas Christians. The fact that Thomas has been so uniquely connected with India among the apostles makes a strong case for his ministry there.

Various versions of Thomas’s martyrdom agree that he ran afoul of the Hindu priests who envied his successes and rejected his message. Thomas was speared to death. The location of his tomb can still be visited in Mylapore (Meliapore), India.

This is just one of the stories told in VOM’s new book FOXE: Voices of the Martyrs (Second Edition). CLICK HERE to order your copy.

Hope in the Face of Persecution

Walter Brueggemann, Old Testament scholar, says that Israel’s experiences of pain as recorded in the Old Testament are answered by God’s actions. He hears their cries of pain and responds. Hope in ancient Israel was expressed by “the relentless insistence that social hurt is not permanent, that oppression is not for perpetuity” (Old Testament Theology: Essays on Structure, Theme, and Text, 7). Israel believed that God would change things abruptly (“an inversion of circumstances”). It is a radical idea—that the present is not permanent and that there is genuine hope for the future. Things will change because God will change them. It was an optimism based on the intervention of God into human history. His kingdom would come and it would last forever. The kingdom of God has come in Christ, and will be consummated when he comes again.

The lesson for us is that the pain and hurt of persecution, which can be experienced in many ways (physical abuse, social ostracizing, harassment, oppression), is not the final word. As Christians endure the worst that the enemy can give, we are aware that their day is coming when all pain will cease and all things will be made right.

A major part of this hope is the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and the promise that we too will be resurrected from the dead. That is a glorious hope, but it is also a sustaining, a strengthening, and a comforting. Our bodies may be killed but they will not remain dead. We will receive a new and glorious resurrection body—a spiritual body. Richard Wurmbrand remarks:

"Paul's belief in God, and his confidence in resurrection, and his hope in eternal fellowship with Christ, did not produce a life of comfort and ease that would have been satisfying even without resurrection. No, what his hope produced was a life of chosen suffering. Yes, he knew joy unspeakable. But it was a "rejoicing in hope" (Romans 12:12). And that hope freed him to embrace sufferings that he never would have chosen apart from the hope of his own resurrection and the resurrection of those for whom he suffered. If there is no resurrection, Paul's sacrificial choices, by his own testimony, were pitiable." (The Triumphant Church, 43).

The Christian hope is categorically different from the skepticism and pessimism of the world. It is also categorically different from those idealists who think that society will get better only through social and economic means, through human ingenuity regardless or instead of the help of God. It is hard for them, I would think, to remain optimistic in the present situation in the world. The Christian optimism is based not on the temporal events of this world, which seem increasingly cruel and barbaric, but on the final defeat of evil and the restoration of justice only found in Christ Jesus.

For the Christian, hope is in Jesus Christ, who was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 1:8). He is the only hope for all humankind—the ONLY hope. He is someone you can count on, especially when it appears that all is lost and the world thinks it is crushing our lives and spirits. Evil will, in fact, be crushed, and righteousness will prevail.

For that reason we are greatly encouraged and we have realistic hope, even in the face of persecution.

Roy Stults, PhD, is the Online Workshop Coordinator and Educational Services Coordinator for The Voice of the Martyrs. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University (BA and MA), Nazarene Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Doctor of Missiology), and The University of Manchester (England) with a PhD (theology). A Vietnam veteran, Dr. Stults served as a missionary for 19 years and pastored U.S. churches for eight years. Prior to joining VOM, he was a Professor of Religion at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

Write: "Jesus Loves Them"

Each month VOM produces "The Jesus Freaks Minute," a daily radio-PSA that shares the stories of the persecuted church with Christian radio listeners all over the United States and around the world. Here's the script for one of the spots that will air next month, a spot entitled Wurmbrand on Forgiveness:

[LYRICS:]  What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak? What will people do when they find that it’s true?

[TOBY MAC:]  Hey, this is TobyMac with  truth every Jesus Freak should hear from the Voice of the Martyrs:

[TODD:]  Richard Wurmbrand, founder of The Voice of the Martyrs, saw the martyrdom of many Christians in Kenya in the late 60s. He quotes one wife standing near the grave of her husband.  She said, “My husband asked me to tell all his murderers that he goes to heaven loving everybody whole-heartedly.  He has forgiven all, because Jesus loves them.”

Inspired by that widow, Wurmbrand suggested we all make a “written list of all who have ever wronged you.  Write over it in large letters, ‘Jesus loves them.’  Then burn the list and forgive them once and forever.”

[YOUR TURN:] How do you forgive when it seems impossible to do so? How hard is it to see those who've wronged you through the lens of Jesus' love for them?