MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

The Beast Rises …

By Joel Richardson, WND – “I recently had the opportunity to have dinner with a very well-known Christian leader, scholar and missionary to the Muslim world. Among the various subjects upon which the conversation focused that evening, was the thesis of Dr. Philip Jenkins, British historian and author of several books, including ‘The Next Christendom,’ published in 2002. In this book, Jenkins theorizes that in the next few decades, the world may expect to see Christianity continue its decline in both Europe and the United States as it makes a drastic demographic shift to the south and the east. Jenkins claims that the United States will quickly lose its status as the Christian stronghold of the globe, and instead, Christianity will see its greatest strength in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Jenkins also ends his book with some dire warnings. With the rise of both Islam and Christianity together in many heavily populated Southern Hemisphere nations, we may expect to see a wave of religious clashes. Jenkins is not a wild-eyed alarmist. As a noted historian, his warnings are thoughtful, well supported by observable evidence and eloquently argued.

Among the nations Jenkins predicted we should watch, most notable is the African nation of Nigeria. The missionary with whom I was speaking agreed. As a well-known leader among the Christian missionary community worldwide, this individual is very well-connected and informed regarding the many trends in the global Christian and Islamic movements. He had some very relevant thoughts regarding the future of Africa. ‘What most of the missiologists are saying now is, ‘As goes Nigeria, so goes Africa.’ And it doesn’t look very good for Nigeria right now.’ He stated.

He then elaborated that while the numbers of Christian believers in southern Nigeria is vast, the churches tend to be very influenced by what is often called the ‘health and wealth gospel’ that is often associated with the American televangelists of the 1980s. In the north however, the churches are strong, but they are very small in comparison. He then continued with the following description:

The church in the south is not prepared for persecution and difficulty. When it comes, many fall away and become Muslims. I recently was invited to speak at a small pastor’s gathering in northern Nigeria. Almost every one of the pastors that I met had noticeable machete scars from Muslim attacks. The church there is suffering greatly, but they are prepared and they are standing strong. Sadly, however, they are Read more…

“International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that in the past two days, thousands of Muslims have razed five churches and the homes of two evangelists in Asendabo, Ethiopia. Christian leaders are asking for protection after the Muslim attackers continued burning churches even after the federal police were sent to the town.

The Muslims started the attacks yesterday after falsely accusing the Christians of desecrating the Qur’an. More than ten thousand Muslims shouted “Allah Akbar” (Allah is great) as they burned down five evangelical churches. The government sent the federal police force to protect the Christians after the Muslims burned down the first three churches. The Muslims overwhelmed the police force and burned down two more churches today.Speaking with ICC, Christian leaders expressed their fear that Muslims will start killing the Christians unless the government sends more security forces to contain the Muslim attackers.”  Read More.