Before reading this upsetting article it may be helpful to remember Jesus' words:
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
(Matthew 5:11-12)
Jailed Iran Pastor Facing Abuse, Torture
The mistreatment of a pastor in Iran awaiting a decision on his death sentence for refusing to recant his faith amounts to physical and psychological torture, a source close to the pastor's family said.
Yousef (also spelled Youcef) Nadarkhani, sentenced to death a year ago after a court of appeals in Rasht, Iran, found him guilty of leaving Islam, is in deteriorating health, according to a member of Nadarkhani's denomination, the Church of Iran, who requested anonymity.
He said that communication with Nadarkhani is limited, but that sources close to the imprisoned Christian indicated that he has undergone physical and psychological torture.
The court in Rasht, 150 miles northwest of Tehran, was expected to pronounce a verdict on Nadarkhani's appeal in October, and sources said the court's long silence bodes ill. Instead of pronouncing a verdict, the court sent the Christian's case to the nation's Islamic authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, to make a ruling.
Authorities have also continued to pressure Nadarkhani to recant his faith while in prison. Last month they gave him Islamic literature aimed at discrediting the Bible, according to sources, and instructed him to read it.
Some sources indicate a ruling could come the second half of December. One said some Iranian Christians believe that, in the face of international outrage over the case, the government would announce a verdict near the Christmas holidays so that it would receive less notice. On Nov. 10, the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) reported that a verdict on Nadarkhani's case was expected in mid-December, regardless of whether there is a ruling by Khamenei.
There are two more Christians from the Church of Iran, a denomination that Iranian Christians accuse of being "non-Trinitarian," who are also serving prison sentences. Behnam Irani has been in prison since he was arrested on April 14 in Karaj, charged with "propaganda against the system."
Authorities were due to release him on Oct. 20, but instead they handed him a letter just days before informing him that a five-year prison sentence from 2008 for "action against national security," which had been suspended, was effective immediately due to the second conviction on a similar charge, according to Mohabat News.
The other incarcerated Christian, Mehdi Foroutan (also known as Petros), has been in prison in Shiraz for two months, serving a one-year sentence for propaganda against the state and "action against national security," according to sources.
In fact, we really need to include all of our persecuted brothers and sisters in our daily prayers - that God will give them strength and courage as they face various forms of torture, imprisonment and abuse - and somehow diminish their physical pain and suffering.
13 comments:
I subscribe to the voice of the martyrs publication and reading the stories there and here are always heart breaking and humbling. We have it, even now, so easy in America. I will add my Amen to Scott's suggested prayer.
Times of the Signs
MANIFEST SONS OF GOD AND THE LATTER RAIN MOVEMENT - GONE MAINSTREAM AND GOING GLOBAL
Researcher and writer with Herescope, Sarah Leslie spoke on the Manifest Sons of God/Latter Rain movement and how they are going mainstream. She explained their heretical Seven Mountains of Dominionism and how their goal is to take over government, education, media, business and other systems in order to usher in the Kingdom of God. This very unbiblical movement promotes the idea that the church is the ongoing representation of God on earth and that God is raising up a “new breed” of god-men or an “elect seed” for “Joel's Army” to destroy or subdue all enemies of Jesus Christ.
Many in these movements believe and teach that Jesus will not return until we are perfected on earth to usher in the Kingdom of God. In their mind, it is up to us to make His appearing – the Second Advent – happen!
Scripture teaches that Christ will come and set up His Kingdom, not the heretical “Manifest Sons of God” and “Joel’s Army.”
Cont.
The false prophecy about ‘Joel’s army’ comes from Joel 2:1-11 which literally concerns a powerful demonic, locust-like force that attacks the land. They have allegorised the text to mean an end time christian force causing a ‘revival’.
They are ignoring the Word which predicts an apostate church, to which, these false prophets belong
Yeah, we'll see how the MSOG does when it bumps up against muslim fundamentalists, hehe!
I read all about this nasty crew when I first returned to Christianity in 2008. Sneaky bunch, they are managing to infiltrate churches. I used to like to watch a certain Christian TV show here in Canada, but then they interviewed Todd Bentley...which is what led to my research about the NAR and joels army and all that...stuff. I purchased a CD from this TV show and they later phoned me for a donation. I told the fellow precisely why I could not financially support their organization and suggested they pray and use a lot more discernment. I know one of their researchers who had left the organization had expressed concern about the direction this show was going in. (It is "100 Huntley Street".)
On occasion, I check out their show, they send me newsletters by e-mail. I have seen the occasional 'kingdom now' message creeping through, talk of the 'pillars', and so on, although that was quite a while ago and I haven't followed their activities all that closely.
The NAR is sooooo sneaky, as I've said. Rick Joyner, Morningstar Ministries...all part of that. I've seen even a mature Christian who should know better go over to the Joyner camp. This particular brother had been an avid prophecy student, a real leader and teacher, but it seems things aren't going fast enough to suit him and Joyner managed to tickle his ears with something shiny and exciting. Really a shame.
Scott, I've been following this pastor's plight through updates on ACLJ. His death sentence could be carried out without a verdict. Meanwhile, there are Muslims who are coming to faith in Christ in record numbers as a result of this man's unrelenting faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that he will be miraculously released from prison, just as Paul was.
Keeping this pastor and these other persecuted brethren in prayer...
Sue (EI):
Thanks for your posts. I really feel we need to pray for discernment-- there is so much out there that makes you wonder.
I did some web searches and came across a set of u-tubes by watchmanbroadcast. Very informative. Have you seen them?
An 8 part series-> The Turth Behind Joel's Army part 1 of 8
Thanks again,
let's occupy CHURCH...
blessings
am
It seems to me this highlights the need Sue to be in a good solid bible teaching "Acts like" churches.
Hebrews 10:25 instructs us, "not to give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching."
I think, "all the more as the day approaches" indicates that God obviously knew apostasy and false teaching would be rampant during the fianl days of the church.
Hello ann marie
Very thought provoking. Most I am aware of, but there is an element I am unsure of so I shall have to come back to this. Thank you for passing it on.
God bless you and keep you in His care.
Hello WVBORN56
Well I certainly cannot argue against that! However, what to do when there are no safe churches left to attend!?
This has been my lot in England, not by choice, so now my testimony is ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and HE WILL direct your paths. Prov 3.
For well over 20 years I have been churchless; and in those that I did go to previously I was left feeling that I was slowly dying from starvation. Since I obeyed the Word to be ‘separated’ the Lord has more than met my every need.
I have been fed by ‘ravens’ and by ‘manna’ and led to still clear waters and have never wanted for teaching and the guiding of The Holy Spirit.
So if this is coming to the U.S.; then be encouraged to stay faithful to The Word. Obey what truth you have and God will definitely guide you to the nourishment and crystal clear waters for your well being. You will not grow weary from hunger; rather you will be blessed pressed down, shaken together and running over.
God bless you and guide you both with The Word as a light to your path.
Maranatha
Sue
SCOTT, DRNOFOG, CAVER, HARTDAWG...
As our BROTHERS, would you all check out each of these 8 videos FROM ANN MARIE's link called 'Joels Army' for us please.
They were posted in March 2010; so things have progressed since then. Most I am familiar with, but there is an element that needs special attention imo.
Please prayerfully consider John16:2. Revelation 9 is the sounding of the fifth trumpet just before the midst of the week during the 70th Week. That is to say, after the Pre-Trib Rapture.
I am wondering if it may apply sooner rather than later as there have been past suggestion that it may flair up with those thinking they are doing the best for God?
I pray the Father to give you His wisdom and discernment. May God go with you all.
Maranatha!
Sue
Sue, I watched two last night and will try and get the rest this weekend.
Thank you Caver
I should re-phrase it to sooner as well as later. i.e. forcing a prophecy, trying to make it happen, bumping off those of us who are seen as a hindrance. All tied up with Pike, Masonic dooda and Nephilim??? Very oddly.
Can't quite make it out.
Do you have links for this?
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