MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'”

Revelation 14:12, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

By Katherine Weber, Christian Post Reporter – “Recent reports indicate that five Christian members of the Church of Iran will soon be going on trial for their religion, facing multiple charges which include threatening national security and evangelism.

The five imprisoned men, Mohammad Roghangir, Surush Saraie, Eskandar Rezaie, Shahin Lahooti and Massoud Rezaie have been detained since October 2012, and are facing charges of disturbing public order, evangelizing, action against national security and an internet activity against the system, according to religious persecution watchdog group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

The trial for the five men will begin at the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, located in the Fars Province, on March 10.

As Andrew Johnston, Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s advocacy director said in a recent statement, the charges of these five men have been cloaked in political terms, although it is evident that they are being persecuted for their Christian faith.

‘Once again Iranian Christians face charges couched in political terms that in reality stem from their choice of faith and desire to exercise the right to worship in community with others, as guaranteed in article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is party,’ Johnston said in a statement emailed to The Christian Post.

The five men facing trial were arrested, along with two other Christians, in October 2012 in an authority-implemented prayer service raid in Shiraz, in the country’s Fars province.

At the time, Christian Solidarity Worldwide pointed to an increased crackdown on Christians in the country on behalf of government authorities.

‘There appears to be an increasing tendency by the Iranian authorities to characterize legitimate religious activities as crimes against the state,’ CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said at the time, as previously reported by The Christian Post.” Read more.

Flashback: Fearing ‘The Growth of Christianity Like Never Before’ Iranian Authorities Escalate Crackdown on Christians in Ahwaz, Shiraz, Esfahan and Kermanshah – “The Islamic Republic of Iran has intensified its crackdown on Iranian Christians during recent weeks. This has resulted in the arrest of a number of Christians in Ahwaz, Shiraz, Esfahan and Kermanshah. (The interview is concerning this issue)… Today, the regime of Iran crackdowns on Christians, especially Christian converts, for it is observing the growth of Christianity like never before. This fact has made them concerned.” Read more.