Blog note: Christian Persecution. Jesus indicated that many would hate and persecute Christians because of His name. This has always been the case and is increasing in intensity and frequency.
Psalm 25:19. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
Psalm 38:19. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
Psalm 41:7. All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
Psalm 69:4. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
Psalm 69:14. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
Matthew 10:22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mark 13:13. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Luke 6:22. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
Luke 14:26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 19:14. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
Luke 21:17. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
John 7:7. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
John 15:18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. End of note
Christian persecution: Four churches CLOSED by furious mob – ‘The hate is clear’. FOUR churches have been forced to shut down after angry protestors attacked the premises, amid rising fears of a worldwide crackdown on Christianity.
By LATIFA YEDROUDJ. PUBLISHED: 19:57, Wed, Jan 16, 2019 | UPDATED: 20:46, Wed, Jan 16, 2019. Video update.
In recent weeks, hardline Islamic extremists have carried out a spate of attacks against four churches in Egypt, persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) has reported. All four churches were in the midst of seeking official recognition from the state to carry out worship services. Following protestors’ demands, Egyptian authorities closed down the churches and denied Christians the right to carry out public worship services. On 7 January, which is Egypt’s Orthodox Christmas, more than 1,000 of furious extremists gathered outside Mar Girgis Church in the village of Manshiyet Zafarana.
According to the Archbishopric of the church, police promised demonstrators they will close down the church and stop Christians from worshipping. A statement issued by Archbishopric of al-Minya and Abu Qirqas reads: “More than 1,000 militants demonstrated against the church, chanting offensive and inflammatory statements in the presence of security forces.
[They] asked them to calm down and promised them that they would do whatever they wanted to remove the people (Christians) from the place and close it.” Police officers arrested the church’s priests, transporting them in a car used to carry animals and garbage.
Christians in Egypt have faced increased levels of violence in recent months, with a rising spate of attacks against the religious group. Other similar protests were reported in the village of Abo Karkas on January 11 with protests at the village of Kafr el-Mansoura on 27 December and the village of Kom Al-Raheb on 9 December. So far, Egyptian authorities have closed down four churches in the past month, but police have yet to arrest the attackers.
Andro, a Christian lawyer, told ICC: “The police behaved by an offensive way. They behaved with the priests as they would with killers. How dare the police cuff the priests! It is a shame on the Copts there.” Father Sami, a local priest, also told ICC, “What happened frightened us. I am a priest and it is possible for the police to cuff me if the extremist neighboring Muslims protest or gathered in front of my church. Things are getting worse, but let us pray to make God keep us in peace.”
Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said: “It is no coincidence that Egypt’s Christians have been so heavily targeted by extremists within the past four weeks. “They are often singled out during the celebration of Christian holidays, such as Christmas. “These incidents also demonstrate how the police often contribute to the problem by adhering to the mob’s demands, even allowing the mob to rage on with no consequences for their violent actions. “President al-Sisi has taken the symbolic step of opening a new cathedral during this time. He must now take action to protect the rights of Christians to worship in other churches.”
Categories: Christian Persecution Update