MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

Matthew 10:22, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

By Raymond Ibrahim, Gatestone Institute – “The most historic and emblematic sign of Muslim persecution of Christians returned in February: Christians in Raqqa, Syria, under the occupation of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [ISIS], which has since consolidated more territory, were given the three classic choices of Islam: 1) convert to Islam or 2) pay jizya (tribute or extortion money, as in the Koran 9:29) and uphold all the conditions stipulated in the medieval Conditions of Omar — which include heavy restrictions on Christian worship — or 3) the sword.

According to the BBC, ISIS issued a directive:

citing the Islamic concept of “dhimma”, [which] requires Christians in the city to pay tax of around half an ounce (14g) of pure gold in exchange for their safety. It says Christians must not make renovations to churches, display crosses or other religious symbols outside churches, ring church bells or pray in public. Christians must not carry arms, and must follow other rules imposed by ISIS (also known as ISIL) on their daily lives. The statement said the group had met Christian representatives and offered them three choices—they could convert to Islam, accept ISIS’ conditions, or reject their control and risk being killed. “If they reject, they are subject to being legitimate targets, and nothing will remain between them and ISIS other than the sword,” the statement said.

A Pew study confirmed that Christians are ‘the most persecuted religious group in the world‘ and that their persecution is occurring primarily throughout the Islamic world. In the category of ‘Countries with Very High Government Restrictions on Religion,’ Pew lists 24 countries — 20 of which are Islamic and precisely where the overwhelming majority of ‘the world’s’ Christians are actually being persecuted.

February’s roundup of Muslim persecution of Christians around the world includes (but is not limited to) the following accounts, listed by theme and country in alphabetical order, not necessarily according to severity.

Attacks on Christian Churches

Nigeria: Among other church-related atrocities, the Islamic terror group Boko Haram attacked a church during Sunday services in the Muslim majority northeast of the nation. According to Christian Today, ‘They locked the doors before the end of the service and shot at the congregation, slitting the throats of those who tried to escape. They also detonated bombs before going on a four hour rampage, burning houses and taking hostages from the village.’

Sudan: ‘In what Sudanese Christians believe is part of a campaign by Islamist President Omar al-Bashir to rid the country of Christianity,’ reported the Morning Star News, ‘bulldozers accompanied by local police and personnel from the National Intelligence and Security Services destroyed the Sudanese Church of Christ building in the Ombada area of Omdurman, across the River Nile from Khartoum.’ According to a local Christian: ‘The government has confiscated the land where the church was built — please pray for the church to get a place for worship. We had not any prior indication from the officials that the church would be destroyed; they have not even warned us.’ The only reason officials gave for demolishing the 300-member church was that it was located in a ‘Muslim area’ and so ‘not wanted there,’ reported one church member. The police officer in charge of demolition reportedly said: ‘We have orders from above to demolish this church building. We do not want any church in this area.’

Zanzibar: Several churches were attacked in the Muslim majority islands. A bomb that was remotely detonated rocked the entrance of Christ Church Cathedral on February 24. The day before, Sunday, February 23, another Read more…

What was true throughout Islam’s sordid 1,400-year history of death and destruction remains true today. Even if ISIS and all like-minded beasts succeeded in destroying every last church of brick and stone built upon the face of the earth, they will never succeed in prevailing against the Church that is built upon the Rock …

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” – Jesus Christ

Recommended: Saudi Arabia: Grand Mufti Again Calls For The Destruction Of All Churches In The Region

AINA – “Sources in Tikrit and Mosul have told AINA that ISIS has cut off water and electricity to some parts of the cities. The villages surrounding Mosul have also lost their water service, which was provided by the water purification plant in Mosul. In the Assyrian villages of Bartella and Qaraqosh, residents are now buying water at 7,000 Iraqi Dinars per cubic meter ($6.25). Village leaders are calling for relief, as the residents cannot afford to purchase water at these rates.

The Arabic language website Alghadeer is reporting that ISIS has destroyed all churches in Mosul. AINA has not independently confirmed this.

In Tikrit internet service is sporadic, less than one our per day, and limited to email and Google. There is no presence of the Iraqi government.

In the Assyrian city of Dohuk there is fear among the residents and anxiety about the “political map” — as one resident put it. The Assyrians of Dohuk do not want to live under ISIS rule.

According to an Assyrian living in Baghdad, Baghdad is calm at the moment. ISIS is fighting 40 miles north of the city, not closer as reported by media sources. The city’s population, which is 90% Shiite, is armed and ready to fight ISIS.

The source said it is unlikely that ISIS would attack Baghdad, as they are greatly outnumbered, but there are many ISIS sleeper cells in Baghdad which may strike and wreak havoc.” Source – AINA.

Acts 14:22, “… continue in the faith … we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Flashback: Barrage, Bomb, Burn …

• Indonesia: Twenty Churches In Aceh Face Threat Of Demolition
• Syria: US Backed Rebels In Syria Destroy Christian Church In Deir Ezzor
• Syria: Historic Evangelical Church Of Aleppo Destroyed With Explosives
• Nigeria: Islamists Torch Four Churches, Slit Pastor’s Throat For Refusing Islam
• Islamist Gunmen Attack Church In Libya’s Benghazi, Christian Leaders Assaulted
• Egypt: Over 20,000 Muslims Shouting ‘Allah Is Greater’ Attack Alexandria Church
• Pakistan: 85+ Christians Massacred After Suicide Bombers Attack Historic Church
• Nigeria: Muslims Attack Church During Service, At Least 19 Christians Slaughtered
• Turkey: Muslims Attack Church Pastor, Threaten Death Unless He Converts To Islam
• Nigeria: Suicide Bombers Attack Church, At Least 11 Christians Killed, Dozens Injured
• Islamists In Tanzania And Kenya Threaten To Destroy Christian Homes And Churches
• Sudan: Christian Bookstores Raided, Churches Demolished, Christians Arrested, Beaten
• Egypt: Islamists Seize Church And Turn It Into A Mosque, ‘There Is No Other God But Allah’
• Sudan: Muslims Text Death Threats To Christians, ‘Kill The Infidels, Destroy Their Churches’
• Iran Hauls Off Christian Pastor, Shuts Down One Of The Nation’s Largest Churches In New Anti-Christian Sweep

For peaceful purposes …

John 16:2b-3, “… the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or Me.”

Qur’an Sura 3:64, “Verily Allah has cursed the Unbelievers [Jews and Christians] and has prepared for them a Blazing Fire to dwell in forever. No protector will they find, nor savior… ‘Our Lord! Give them double torment and curse them with a very great Curse!’”

By Tara Brady and Matthew Blake, Mail Online – “Somali militants who murdered 48 people in a Kenyan village as they watched the World Cup went door to door asking residents if they were Muslim or spoke Somali – and shot them dead if either answer was ‘no’, witnesses revealed today.

The attack on the coastal village of Mpeketoni, about 30-miles southwest of the tourist centre of Lamu, came at the end of a weekend of bloodshed that has exposed the world to the shocking depravity of terrorists, apparently emboldened by each other’s acts.

Witnesses told how about 30 gunmen – believed to be members of Somali terror group al-Shabaab – arrived in the town in minibuses at 8pm yesterday before bursting into residents homes, shooting dead any man they thought was not Muslim.

‘They came to our house at around 8pm and asked us in Swahili whether we were Muslims,’ said Anne Gathigi. ‘My husband told them we were Christians and they shot him in the head and chest.’

Another resident, John Waweru, said his two brothers were killed because the attackers did not like that the brothers did not speak Somali.

‘My brothers who stay next door to me were killed as I watched. I was peeping from my window and I clearly heard them speak to my brothers in Somali and it seems since my brothers did not meet their expectations, they sprayed them with bullets and moved on,’ said Waweru.

In Kenya, dozens of extremists attacked a Kenyan coastal town for hours, killing those who weren’t Muslim and those who didn’t know the Somali language, officials and witnesses said today. At least 48 people were killed and two hotels were set on fire.” Read more.

Flashback: Kenya: Al-Shabaab Vows To Kill All Non-Muslims, ‘You Will Soon Witness The Return Of Our Islamic Caliphate’ – “We praise Allah for enabling us to perform this great act of worship which is the peak of Islam … everything has reached its limit and it’s now time for us to retaliate [against the kuffar] … do not forget that we are everywhere and we have already planned on the best ways of retaliation and you will soon witness the return of our Islamic Caliphate… Our Caliphate will only return by the sword and there is no other way and we will implement the Shari’ah of Allah …” Watch video.

Flashback: Kenya: Al-Shabaab Claims Responsibility For Church Attacks, Will Continue To Kill Those Who Do Not Worship Allah – “Somalia militia group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s twin attacks on two churches in Garissa County that left 17 people dead. The latest development came even as muslim leaders in Kenya agreed to form self-defence groups to protect churches following the deadly attacks. In a tweet on Wednesday morning, the insurgents said they carried out the attacks in retaliation for Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)’s incursion in Somalia. An Al-Shabaab loyalist Sheikh Hassan Takar said that the militia killed people who did not profess allegiance to Allah.” Read more.

Flashback: ‘Prepare For Disaster’: Islamists In Tanzania And Kenya Threaten To Destroy Christian Homes And Churches – “A militant Islamic group known as Muslim Renewal has threatened to burn ‘homes and churches.’ They say they ‘are not finished, at Easter, prepare for disaster.’ The Al Shabaab-linked group is believed responsible for the murder in Zanzibar last month of Catholic priest, Father Evarest Mushi. It may also have been involved in the killing of Pastor Abdi Welli in Garissa, Kenya. Militant Muslims have killed church leaders and they’ve attacked more than 30 churches in Tanzania and Kenya in the past year.” Read more.

Our Lord and Savior sees your tribulation. Hold fast and endure till the end. When He comes to us, we will go to Him …

Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Recommended: The 144,000 And The Great Multitude – It’s Not What You May Think

By Diaa Hadid, Associated Press – “Over the past decade, Iraqi Christians have fled repeatedly to this ancient mountainside village, seeking refuge from violence, then returning home when the danger eased. Now they are doing it again as Islamic militants rampage across northern Iraq, but this time few say they ever want to go back to their homes.

The flight is a new blow to Iraq’s dwindling Christian community, which is almost as old as the religion itself but which has already been devastated since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. During the past 11 years, at least half of the country’s Christian population has fled the country, according to some estimates, to escape frequent attacks by Sunni Muslim militants targeting them and their churches.

Now many of those who held out and remained may be giving up completely after fighters belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant swept over the city of Mosul and a broad swath of the country the past week.

‘I’m not going back,’ said Lina, who fled Mosul with her family as the militants swept in and came to Alqosh, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) to the north.

‘Each day we went to bed in fear,’ the 57-year-old woman said, sitting in a house for displaced people. ‘In our own houses we knew no rest.’ Like other Christians who fled here, she spoke on condition she be identified only by her first name for fear for her safety.

In leaving, the Christians are emptying out communities that date back to the first centuries of the religion, including Chaldean, Assyrian and Armenian churches. The past week, some 160 Christian families — mosly from Mosul — have fled to Alqosh, mayor Sabri Boutani told The Associated Press, consulting first on the number with his wife by speaking in Chaldean, the ancient language spoken by many residents.

Alqosh, dating back at least to the 1st century BC, is a jumble of pastel-painted homes nestled at the base of a high craggy hill among rolling plains of wheat fields. The village’s population of 6,000 is about half Christian and half ethnic Kurds. Located just outside the autonomous Kurdish zone of northern Iraq, Kurdish fighters known as peshmerga have moved into the town to protect it.

Many Christians are deciding that the comparatively liberal and prosperous Kurdish regions are their safest bet.

‘Every Christian prefers to stay in Kurdistan,’ said Abu Zeid, an engineer. He too said he wouldn’t be going back to Mosul.

‘It’s a shame because Mosul is the most important city in Iraq for Christians,’ he added. Mosul is said to be the site of the burial of Jonah …” Read more.

Qur’an Sura 9:123, “O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers [non-Muslims] who are near to you and let them find in you hardness …”

2 Timothy 2:3, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Flashback: Men Running, Women Pleading For God’s Mercy, Children Screaming Out Of Fear: ‘Cleansing’ In Iraq Of Christians Continues Unabated – “Men running, women pleading for God’s mercy, children screaming out of fear, older women trapped under rubble and thick dust rising in the air. This has been a recurring scene in Iraqi cities for close to a decade. Since June 26, 2004, Assyrian (also known as Chaldean and Syriac) churches have come under attack more than 80 times. The most widely publicized assault came on Oct. 31, 2010, when Islamic terrorists wearing suicide vests invaded Our Lady of Salvation Syriac Catholic Church in Baghdad during mass, shot two priests and then blew themselves up. When it was over, 62 people were killed and 78 injured.” Read more.

Flashback: Muslim Cleric In Iraq Issues New Fatwa To All Iraqi Christians: Choose Islam Or Be Killed – “From studies of a television broadcaster based in Egypt, an Iraqi Ayatollah launches a fatwa against the religious minority on the eve of Christmas: ‘Conversion to Islam or death.’… Labeling them as ‘polytheists’ and ‘friends of the Zionists’, the extremist leader stressed that they must choose ‘or Islam or death,’ while ‘their women and girls may legitimately be regarded wives of Muslims.’” Read more.

Flashback: Iraq: Islamic Extremists Want to Eliminate Christians From Country – “Ongoing violence against Christians in Iraq has produced an accelerated exodus of believers recently and numbering in the hundreds of thousands over the last 10 years, said Open Doors USA officials… ‘At the beginning of the summer, Open Doors estimated the number of Christians remaining in Iraq at 345,000. However, the number decreases every month,’ officials stated. ‘It is an estimation; some even think there are less Christians left in the country than that,’ another Open Doors member said.” Read more.

Following reports of thousands of Christians fleeing Mosul in the aftermath of the Islamist takeover and the seizure of churches comes a disturbing report of mass beheadings in the cities of Mosul and Tikrit, according to a “live blog” report by The Telegraph’s Harriet Alexander and Barney Henderson.  Iraqi police have confirmed that the central city of Tikrit is now in the hands of ISIS. While there are no details at this time regarding the identity of those being beheaded by Islamic militants, many will undoubtedly be Christian …

Flashback: Rebels Attack Christian Homes, Churches, Many Feared Dead, ‘Convert To Islam Or You Will Be Beheaded’

By Tova Dvorin and Ari Soffer, INN – “The Al Qaeda-linked Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has attacked the central Iraqi city of Tikrit, security sources told BBC News Wednesday, less than 48 hours after taking over the northern city of Mosul.

The Islamists have attacked the Turkish embassy there, officials said, and are holding at least 49 people hostage. Reuters reports Wednesday evening that all 49 have been taken to an ISIS hideout and are, allegedly, unharmed; Ankara has vowed to respond if any one of the captives are harmed.

Police officials also told the British Telegraph that the group had freed some 300 inmates in a city prison there and made advances in parts of Kirkuk; local authorities have reported mass beheadings throughout the city.

Tikrit, located in Salaheddin province, is dictator Saddam Hussein’s birthplace, and is located just 150 km (95 miles) north of Baghdad.

Reports of Tikrit’s takeover surface less than 24 hours after Iraqi parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi predicted that the ISIS were turning south – specifically toward the Salaheddin province.

Security sources also told AFP early Wednesday evening that the Islamists have extended beyond Tikrit, now fighting Iraqi forces in Samarra.” Read more.

Jihadis Loot $429m From City’s Central Bank To Make Isis World’s Richest Terror Force – “The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams (Isis) has become the richest terror group ever after looting 500 billion Iraqi dinars – the equivalent of $429m (£256m) – from Mosul’s central bank, according to the regional governor. Nineveh governor Atheel al-Nujaifi confirmed Kurdish televison reports that Isis militants had stolen millions from numerous banks across Mosul. A large quantity of gold bullion is also believed to have been stolen. Following the siege of the country’s second city, the bounty collected by the group has left it richer than al-Qaeda itself and as wealthy as small nations such as Tonga, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Falkland Islands.” Read more.

“What we are living and what we have seen over the last two days is horrible and catastrophic … churches fell into the hands of the rebels this morning … we are now surrounded and threatened with death … pray for us.” The “convert to Islam or die” fatwas that were issued before elsewhere in Iraq and Syria will most assuredly be issued soon in Mosul as well, for peaceful purposes. Heavenly Father, give them strength to endure till the end …

Acts 14:22, “… continue in the faith … we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Mark 13:13, “… you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

By BosNewsLife – “Thousands of Christians and other residents began fleeing Mosul on Tuesday, May 10, after Islamic militants overran much of Iraq’s second largest city, ‘killing hundreds’ while seizing churches and government buildings.

As many as 150,000 people were trying to escape Mosul amid appeals for prayers and warning that this may be the last exodus of what was a Christian stronghold. ‘What we are living and what we have seen over the last two days is horrible and catastrophic,’ Najeeb Michaeel, a Dominican priest, wrote from Mosul.

He confirmed that gunmen of the ‘Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL), who are inspired by terror group al-Qaida, took over churches after pushing out security forces and capturing military vehicles.

‘The priory of Mar Behnam [Monastery] and other churches fell into the hands of the rebels this morning … and now they have come here and entered Qaraqosh five minutes ago, and we are now surrounded and threatened with death … pray for us,’ he added in comments monitored by BosNewsLife.

‘Many thousands of armed men from the Islamic Groups of Da’ash [ISIL] have attacked the city of Mosul for the last two days. They have assassinated adults and children. The bodies have been left in the streets and in the houses by the hundreds, without pity,’ he said.

‘The regular forces and the army have also fled the city, along with the governor.’ The exact death toll was not immediately clear amid confusion and chaos.

‘Christian families are terrified. I was able to make my wife and children leave Mosul, but now I am stuck in the house and can’t move,’ a Christian man reportedly said, as fighting continued.

Militants reportedly took 70 female students hostage at the University of Mosul, and took 28 Turkish truck drivers hostage in the city. About 3,000 prisoners were reported to have been freed from the main jails.

Militants also seized Mosul’s airport, television stations and the governor’s office, reporters said.

With attacks ongoing, Pastor Haitham Jazrawi suggested that the city of 1.8 million people will soon have no or very few Christians.” Read more.

Flashback: Iraq: Muslims Stop Christians From Selling Homes, Kill Real Estate Agents For Doing Business With Them – “According to a report published by the Iraq Press, hundreds of Assyrians in Mosul have been forced to leave the city by fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as Daash. The Assyrians have been prevented by Daash from selling their homes. Daash has killed real estate agents who do business with Christians. Unidentified gunmen assassinated the owner of the Zouhour Real Estates agency after he brokered the sale of a Christian house.” Read more.

Flashback: Muslim Cleric In Iraq Issues New Fatwa To All Iraqi Christians: Choose Islam Or Be Killed – “An Advent of light and shadow for Iraq’s Christians, who are celebrating the reopening of the cathedral of Baghdad but at the same time subjected to new – and heavy – threats from a radical Shiite Muslim leader. From studies of a television broadcaster based in Egypt, an Iraqi Ayatollah launches a fatwa against the religious minority on the eve of Christmas: ‘Conversion to Islam or death.’… Labeling them as ‘polytheists’ and ‘friends of the Zionists’, the extremist leader stressed that they must choose ‘or Islam or death,’ while ‘their women and girls may legitimately be regarded wives of Muslims.’” Read more.