Vladimir Pustan – De ce a murit Hristos? (Emisiunea Pastorul Cel Bun)

VEZI PAGINA Vladimir Pustan PREDICI aici

De ce a murit Hristos?

Text: Marcu 15:21-37

²¹ Au silit să ducă crucea lui Isus pe un trecător, care se întorcea dela cîmp, numit Simon din Cirena, tatăl lui Alexandru şi al lui Ruf. ²² Şi au adus pe Isus la locul numit Golgota, care, tîlmăcit, însemnează: ,,Locul căpăţînii.„ ²³ I-au dat să bea vin amestecat cu smirnă, dar El nu l -a luat. ²⁴ Dupăce L-au răstignit, I-au împărţit hainele între ei, trăgînd la sorţi, ca să ştie ce să ia fiecare. ²⁵ Cînd L-au răstignit, era ceasul al treilea. ²⁶ Deasupra Lui era scrisă vina Lui: ,,Împăratul Iudeilor.„ ²⁷ Împreună cu El au răstignit doi tîlhari, unul la dreapta şi altul la stînga Lui. ²⁸ Astfel s’a împlinit Scriptura, care zice: ,,A fost pus în numărul celor fărădelege.„ ²⁹ Trecătorii îşi băteau joc de El, dădeau din cap, şi ziceau: ,,Uă! Tu, care strici Templul, şi -l zideşti la loc în trei zile, ³⁰ mîntuieşte-Te pe Tine însuţi, şi pogoară-Te de pe cruce!„ ³¹ Tot astfel şi preoţii cei mai de seamă, împreună cu cărturarii îşi băteau joc de El între ei, şi ziceau: ,,Pe alţii i -a mîntuit, şi pe Sine însuş nu Se poate mîntui! ³² Hristosul, Împăratul lui Israel, să Se pogoare acum de pe cruce, ca să vedem şi să credem!„ Cei răstigniţi împreună cu El, deasemenea îşi băteau joc de El. ³³ La ceasul al şaselea, s’a făcut întunerec peste toată ţara, pînă la ceasul al nouălea. ³⁴ Şi în ceasul al nouălea, Isus a strigat cu glas tare: ,,Eloi, Eloi, lama sabactani„ care, tîlmăcit, înseamnă: ,,Dumnezeul Meu, Dumnezeul Meu, pentruce M’ai părăsit?„ ³⁵ Unii din cei ce stăteau acolo, cînd L-au auzit, ziceau: ,,Iată, cheamă pe Ilie!„ ³⁶ Şi unul din ei a alergat de a umplut un burete cu oţet, l -a pus într’o trestie, şi I -a dat să bea, zicînd: ,,Lăsaţi să vedem dacă va veni Ilie să -L pogoare de pe cruce!„ ³⁷ Dar Isus a scos un strigăt tare, şi Şi -a dat duhul.

 In aceasta dimineata va trebui sa raspundem la o intrebare simpla: De ce a murit Hristos? Vedeti, intrebarea aceasta poate sa fie bizara la prima vedere. Dar sa stiti ca multi oameni au luat-o in serios. S-au scris carti pe tema aceasta, s-au turnat filme. S-au pictat tablouri care sa zugraveasca cat de cat agonia din Ghetsimani, agonia de pe cruce. Oamenii de stiinta s-au adunat , medicii s-au adunat, au facut colocvii, simpozioane si au pus intrebarea: De ce a murit Isus? Daca cititi cu atentie sfanta scriptura, Pilat sa mirat si el. Cand a aflat Pilat ca a murit Isus s-a mirat. De ce s-a mirat Pilat? Crucificarea nu era ceva neobisnuit in lumea lor, era o metoda ingrozitor de dura si dureroasa. Oamenii care erau pusi pe cruce, spunea Iosif Flavius ca stateau cate 3 zile pe cruce in chinuri. Isus, dupa 4 1/2 era mort. (Poza ciresarii.ro)

Unii spun ca Isus a murti din cauza incordarii nervoase. Ei spun ca moartea s-a declansat din clipa cand s-a dus in Ghetsimani. In Luca 22:24 spune ca sudoarea i se facuse ca niste picaturi mari de sange. Doctorul Ron Maker spune ca vasele capilare din glandele sudorii pare s-au spart si sangele s-a amestecat cu lacrimile. Tensiune nervoasa acumulata. Sa nu uitati, in Ghetsimani, in momentul cand Isus a zis, „Tata, daca e cu neputinta, departeaza de la mine paharul, universul a inghetat. Sa nu uitati ce a spus diavolul in dimineata aceea cand l-au pus pe cruce. Vorbea Satana prin oameni si prin preoti, „Daca esti Hristosul, da-te jos de acolo. Ca ai zis ca tu poti sa faci totul. Daca esti Hristosul, da-te jos de pe cruce.” Dar El n-a venit sa se dea jos de pe cruce, a venit sa se urce pe cruce. Pentru ca mantuirea noastra e numai prin cruce. Satana a zis, „Da-te jos de acolo.” La diavolul nu-i place un Isus Hristos care sa moara pentru noi. El pentru asta a venit. Cand a zis, „Tata, daca e cu putinta…” n-a vorbit Dumnezeu din El, ci omul din El. „Tata, daca e cu putinta, departeaza de la Mine paharul.” Spuneau teologii ca marea parasire nici macar nu a fost pe cruce, ci in gradina Ghetsimani. Pentru ca nu exista mai mare blestem decat sa simti ca esti singur, ca nu ai nici macar un suflet langa tine caruia sa-i spui ce te doare. Cele mai multe familii, cei mai multi oameni mor de singuratate. (08:00)

Unii spun ca ar fi murit din cauza epuizarii fizice. E foarte aproape de adevar ce au spus medicii intr-un fel. El venea dupa 3 1/2 ani de nopti nedormite. El venea dupa 3 1/2 ani de lupta. El venea dupa 3 1/2 ani de dormit in camp. Se duceau oamenii acasa si pe El nu-L ducea nimeni sa se culce. „Vulpile isi au vizuini.. si fiul omului n-are unde sa-si plece capul.” Si-a pus mainile peste ei, i-a vindecat, le-a dat mancare, era o baterie descarcata pe Golgota la 3 1/2 ani. Cand unii sunt epuizati din cauza pacatului, El era epuizat din cauza iubirii de oameni.

Noi tot o sa murim intr-o zi, tot o sa plecam de pe pamantul acesta si fac o mica paranteza aici. Nu cred ca e mai scumpa moartea celor iubiti de Domnul ca acelui om care a slujit altora, ca sa aiba cine plange dupa tine. Cand a murit fratele Cornea, va spuneam ca unii dintre marii misionari baptisti pe care i-a avut uniunea baptista din Romania, cel care a infiintat si biserica maghiara din Salonta, era mort in sicriu si a venit un om si i-a sarutat bocancii lui cu care era incaltat si a strigat acolo inaintea pastorilor, „Cu picioarele acestea, omul acesta mi-a salvat mie viata.”(10:40)

Sunt unii care spun ca a murit din cauza ranilor. Cand vorbim despre biciuire, Romanii te omorau in bataie. L-au batut soldatii bauti. Spunea Eusebiu ca a vazut oameni biciuiti care nu mai aveau carne pe spate si li se vedeau venele. La cativa a vazut si rinichii. Asa era biciuirea din timpul acela. N-a fost destul cat a fost batut in noaptea aceea, cat a fost biciuit, I-au mai impuns si mainile si picioarele cu cuie, sa aiba de unde sa curga sangele. Spun ca a murit din cauza ranilor, ca sangele se scurge.

Medicii din Dublin University spun ca a facut soc cardiac. Bazati pe Ioan 19:34 unde scrie ca atunci cand L-au impuns, din coasta i-a curs sange si apa. Apa aceasta, ei spun, ca  agonia mortii a produs ruptura inimii. Sangele din arterele principale s-a inchegat si inima atunci a explodat si de aceea curgea apa. Unii spun ca Isus Hristos a murit din cauza insuficientei coronariene pentru ca, in cazul suspendarii de maini, batut in cuie sau legat, sangele se aduna in partea de jos a trupului, nu se mai poate urca, ci coboara tot la picioare. In 10 minute, tensiunea arteriala scade la jumatate, air pulsul de dubleaza. Sangele nu mai ajunge suficient la inima, la creier si automat se instaureaza colapsul orthostatic (cardiovascular) si oamenii mor din cauza aceasta, a suspendarii.

Sau poate ca a murit din cauza asfixiei. Cand legi un om si i bati mainile in cuie, nu se mai poate rezema pe picioare, coastele apasa asupra plamanilor si atunci plamanii nu mai pot sa aduca aerul suficient pentru organism si omul moare asfixiat din lipsa de aer. S-ar fi putut intmpla si asta. Poate si de asta a murit Isus.

Dar, vedeti, in aceasta dimineata, eu stau in fata unei biserici care stie de ce a murit Isus. Noi stim cauza clara. Doar vreau sa va reamintesc de ce a murit Isus, ca voi cunoasteti raspunsul.

1. Isus a murit de durere

Dar, nu de durerea trupului, care era si ea mare si a vrut sa o simta toata. De aceea a refuzat smirna cu vinul care era o bautura imbatatoare ca si morfina. Durerea aceea a sufletului, cand Tu stai pe cruce si vezi ca aia joaca carti langa crucea Ta si iti impart hainele Tale. Cand Tu vezi ca ai venit si sa mori pentru o lume care sta nepasatoare si care te huiduie si te bleastama. Cand Tu vezi ca ai venit sa mori pentru doi talhari si astia te injura. Cand Tu vii sa binecuvanti o lume intreaga caruia nu-i pasa de Tine – asta se numeste durere. Durere la nivelul maxim.

Cand a vazut Isus Hristos lumea aceea, oile risipite de lup si lumea aceea neinteresata, oameni interesati de stomac, de minte, de bani, de familie, de frumusete, sa-si faca muschi la sali, oameni interesati de a-si exacerba mandria si nu-i intereseaza de Isus Hristos. Aceasta e biserica pentru care a murit El? In clipa aceea stia ca cei mai multi oameni nu vor accepta jertfa Lui. Aceasta este mare durere a lui Dumnezeu: Sa mori pentru cineva caruia nu-i pasa. Si Isus Hristos a vazut o lume caruia nu-i pasa. Lumea in loc sa alerge spre Isus Hristos sa fie mantuita, lumea alearga spre Satana si spre oameni care n-au facut nimic pentru noi. Si in loc sa-I multumim lui Dumnezeu, multumim oamenilor. (19:00)

Multi cer Biblie cand sunt in spital, sau inchisoare, deja cam tarziu pentru unii. Dar atunci isi aduc aminte de Isus- cand raman fara serviciu, cand raman fara putere, cand raman fara bani, cand raman fara familie. Atunci iti aduci aminte de Isus. Il doare pe Domnul pentru ca e la coada prioritatilor noastre. El nu e intai. Oamenii nu alearga la El prima data. Eu te hranesc si tu ma injuri. Eu iti port de grija si tu ma musti? Stiti cum ne comportam cu Dumnezeu? Cnad a fost baiatul cel mai mic al nostru la spital, musca asistentele. Era intr-o stare grava, era intr-o coma chimica, nu stia ce se intampla cu el si musca asistentele. Nu putea sa-i faca (nici macar) o injectie. Acesta a fost tabloul care il am pentru noi, pentru mine si pentru voi. Toata ziua muscam mana lui Isus. El vrea sa ne hraneasca….(noi) ne vorbim de rau unii pe altii. „Dar, ala e fratele lui Isus”. Atunci vorbeste-l de rau pe Isus., musca-L. Ne lovim…. Nu-i multumim…

• te culci crezand ca ti se cuvine somnul si ai crezut ca e ceva normal ca sa dormi. Sunt 9 luni de zile de cand nu mai pot dormi decat cu medicamente.
• Am crezut ca e normal sa iau o bucata de paine de pe masa. Cand m-am dus in Africa, 5 din 10 copii mureau. Am vazut si nu o sa uit niciodata tabloul acesta, pe marginea drumului copii morti de foame. Copiilor nostri nu stim ce le mai trebuie.
• Am ajuns sa credem ca e normal sa umblam pe picioarele noastre. Cand o sa ma duc la Suceava, iarasi o sa-i aduc pe fratii nostri care sunt in carucioare. Unul dupa altul coboara din microbuz.
• Am crezut ca e normal sa ai pe cineva langa tine. Dar, am vazut atatia oameni singuri.
• Am crezut ca mi se cuvine sa ma pot strange de mana, sa stiu ca cineva este langa mine si imi dau seama, de fapt, ca niciodata nu am sa fiu atat de singur cat a fost Hristos de singur. Cum sa nu-L doara?

Tu, care-L faci sa planga pe Hristos si astazi, ca nu te pocaiesti, ca amai pocainta, tu pocaieste-te astazi. Intoarce-te la Dumnezeu. Fa-L fericit pe Isus. (23:00)

2. Isus Hristos a murit de dragoste

Spune asa de frumos, „Si fiindca ii iubea pe ai Sai, i-a iubit pana la capat.” Exista un capat al iubirii. Cei mai multi nu-l mai apuca. De obicei: Te iubesc cat tin banii, cat tine tineretea, cat tine sanatatea, cat (timp) imi dai…. Calculat, astia nu gasesc capatul iubirii nicicum. M-am tot gandit: Pentru cine se merita sa mori atunci? Erau cativa care-l iubeau, o mana de oameni si ei erau acolo langa cruce. Dumnezeu te iubeste prin Hristos foarte tare. Atat de mult iubeste Domnul cand te ridici din pat si vii la biserica. Atat de mult iubeste Domnul lucrarea ta si familia ta. Ioan, care era la cruce, tace si face. Tanar, lucreaza pentru Domnul, nu-L paraseste pe Isus la greu, nu-L paraseste atunci cand conditiile sunt vitrege. Nu, Ioan ramane acolo langa cruce. Si Isus Hristos isi da seama ca dupa durere vine dragostea, dintr-o data. Durerea vine prima data, pentru ca pentru un om trebuie sa te doara ca sa poti sa-l iubesti. Si Isus s-a inviorat. Este o proorocie in Isaia care spune: Va vedea rodul muncii Lui si se va inviora. Prin cunostinta Lui, robul meu cel neprihanit v-a pune pe multi oameni intr-o stare dupa voia lui Dumnezeu. Si iata ca robul se invioreaza.

Ne parasesc oamenii, dar Isus Hristos nu ne paraseste niciodata

In toata viata noastra nu putem avea decat 3 prieteni:

1. Un prieten il paraseste pe om in clipa in care a murit. Cum ai murit, cum te-a parasit un prieten. Si prietenul ala la care tii mai mult, ala te-a parasit primul.
2. Dupa cateva zile la groapa te paraseste celalalt prieten, rudele familia, cei pe care-i ai pe langa tine. Ei mai sunt cu tine inca  2-3 zile dar te parasesc la groapa ca tot trebuie sa vina de acolo.
3. Dar este cineva, al treilea prieten care nu te paraseste niciodata. Isus. El transcede groapa si momentul acela cand ramai singur pentru ca familia pleaca.

Nu o sa uit niciodata o imagine care am avut-o aici la Beius intr-o dupa masa la cimitir. Am avut o inmormantare a unei surori de a noastre, cand am fost in curte, de vreo 2-3 ori s-a plimbat un caine negru micut, cu par mult, prin curte. Cineva l-a impins si l-a scos pe usa afara. Am mers la groapa si nu stiu ce s-a intamplat ca mi-am pus Biblia pe o alta cruce si am plecat acasa fara ea. Peste 2-3 ore mi-am dat seama ca nu e acasa. „Mai, unde-i? Sa stii ca am uitat-o in cimitir.” Cand m-am dus inapoi, cainele era pe mormant. Toti plecasera, el venise si ramasese acolo. Si m-am gandit: Cat de repede s-a despartit familia de ea, si cat de greu se desparte cainele ala? Eu am plecat, cainele a ramas.

Ne parasesc oamenii, dar Isus Hristos nu ne paraseste niciodata pentru ca ne iubeste. Oamenii va vor dezamagii. Dar, Isus Hristos nu va dezamageste niciodata. (29:00)

3. Isus Hristos a murit de dor

Isus a auzit ca talharul acela nu-l mai bleastama, ci din contra zice, „Tu esti fiul lui Dumnezeu. Noi meritam pedeapsa.” Si spune un lucru extraordinar talharul. Zice, „Doamne, cand vei ajunge in imparatia Ta, ai mila si de mine si pomeneste-ma si pe mine acolo”. La care, Isus zice, „Astazi vei fii cu Mine in rai.” Dragilor, Isus nu voia sa fie singur in cer, Lui ii e dor dupa noi. El vrea sa fie impreuna cu noi acolo sus in cer, in imparatia Lui. SI atat de tare ii este dor dupa noi, incat intr-o zi va veni si ne va lua. Slavit sa fie El. Va veni si ne va duce de pe pamantul acesta. Va garantez ca aceste zile ale revenirii Domnului Isus Hristos este aproape.

VIDEO by aciducip

 

Speranta si Prietenii Vol.14 – 2 Colinde + Emma Repede ‘Sapat in palmele Tale’

Vezi peste 60 de colinde Speranta aici

VIDEOS by Sperantamedia

Sa nu uitam ce inseamna Nasterea Mantuitorului! Isus Hristos s-a nascut

„ca lumea să fie mîntuită prin El.„

^{Ioan 3:16} Fiindcă atît de mult a iubit Dumnezeu lumea, că a dat pe singurul Lui Fiu, pentruca oricine crede în El, să nu piară, ci să aibă viaţa vecinică.
¹⁷ Dumnezeu, în adevăr, n’a trimes pe Fiul Său în lume ca să judece lumea, ci ca lumea să fie mîntuită prin El.
¹⁸ Oricine crede în El, nu este judecat; dar cine nu crede, a şi fost judecat, pentrucă n’a crezut în Numele singurului Fiu al lui Dumnezeu.
¹⁹ Şi judecata aceasta stă în faptul că, odată venită Lumina în lume, oamenii au iubit mai mult întunerecul decît lumina, pentrucă faptele lor erau rele.
²⁰ Căci oricine face răul, urăşte lumina, şi nu vine la lumină, ca să nu i se vădească faptele.
²¹ Dar cine lucrează după adevăr, vine la lumină, pentruca să i se arate faptele, fiindcă sînt făcute în Dumnezeu.`

Emma – Sapat in palmele Tale

Photo credit blessingsofchristmas.com

Emma – Noaptea se lasa in sat

Bucurati-va de vestea buna

Naghmeh Abedini, wife of Iranian-American pastor Saeed Abedin who is imprisoned in Iran, speaks at Liberty University

Please listen to the 6 minute video at the bottom of this post, as Naghmeh Abedini talks about how she always feared she would question Jesus’ goodness, if she were to ever go through a big trial. But, she says, „..in that deep, dark night of despair, I reached put to Jesus, and I’ve known Him since I was 9, and I connected to Him in such a deep way that, not only did I not question His goodness, but I proclaim His goodness amd how awesome He is, and I got to drink of His goodness. He gave me strength to stand and He’s given me joy and peace.”

Story, video and Photo credit http://www.liberty.edu

Naghmeh Abedini has been traveling the U.S. and the world for over 15 months to raise awareness of her husband Pastor Saeed Abedini’s unjust imprisonment in Tehran.

Saeed Abedini was arrested in the summer of 2012 while helping build an orphanage in Iran. He was later sentenced to eight years in Evin Prison in Tehran for “endangering national security.” He has served a year of that sentence already and has been beaten and told to give up his faith in Christ.

According to his wife, Saeed Abedini has stood strong in his faith and has led over 30 people in prison to Christ.

“The kids and I desperately want him back, but we are proud that he has chosen to stand up for his faith and to proclaim the Gospel in a dark prison and bring hope to those people,” she said. “To know that so many of the Iranian people are coming to know Christ makes it worth it. I know his imprisonment is not in vain.”

In June, Naghmeh Abedini had the chance to speak to the United Nations in Geneva, sharing the Gospel with more than 196 nations. The message was broadcast to more than 50 million Iranians.

“I pray that the Lord would awaken your desire to ask for nations for your inheritance and that you would be on fire for the Living God,” she said.

Vice President for Communications Johnnie Moore said Liberty believes the Great Commission is both for people in the ministry and in the marketplace.

“Missions is at the heart of the university and always has been. We do not believe that the Great Commission is for some Christians, it is for all Christians,” he said.

Liberty’s student body collectively represents all 50 states and 95 countries. Students and alumni are constantly engaged in areas all over the world, including the school’s ongoing Restore Rwanda campaign and several short-term mission trips through the Center for Global Engagement. Global Focus Week allows students to continue pursuing these options and become more involved in missions.

Related articles

• Prayer Vigil Planned for Pastor Saeed Abedini – How His Family Copes In His Absence (vineoflifenews.com)
• Campaign begins to free Saeed Abedini from Iranian prison as he reaches out to President (theglobaldispatch.com)
• Iran upholds American Pastor Saeed Abedini’s 8-year prison sentence (christiantoday.com)
• Naghmeh Abedini recounts arrest and imprisonment of Pastor Saeed, the ‘attempts to break him’ and the prayer vigil (theglobaldispatch.com)
• Iranian court nixes appeal from jailed American pastor (foxnews.com)
• Saeed Abedini appeals to Iranian president (christiantoday.com)
• Prayer Vigil Planned for Pastor Saeed Abedini – How His Family Copes In His Absence (voiceofthepersecuted.wordpress.com)
• Save Saeed Now! (voiceofthepersecutedchurch.wordpress.com)
• Naghmeh Abedini Announces Prayer Vigil for Imprisoned Husband (blackchristiannews.com)

David Platt – CALL TO PRAYER: ‘The nations need You’

Source http://bpnews.net/

EDITOR’S NOTE: David Platt, whose outreach extends from the bestselling „Radical” to international teaching and prayer simulcasts, led a Prayer for the Nations during the inauguration of Russell D. Moore as president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission on Sept. 10. Platt is pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Ala. (Photo credit http://www.blackchristiannews.com)

WASHINGTON (BP) – Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name in all the earth. O God, cause Your name to be made known as holy among all nations. We confess that You are sovereign over every country and You hold every leader, every king, every queen, every dictator, every prime minister and every president in the palm of Your hands.

None of them are ultimately sovereign over anything. You are ultimately sovereign over everything. You alone are Lord, You alone are holy, You alone are mighty, and You alone are just, so we pray, O God, particularly in our day, rise up and cause Your righteousness and Your peace and Your justice to reign among the nations.

And in Your justice, we pray, remember mercy. Have mercy upon those in high positions. Have mercy upon the hungry, the weak, the oppressed, the poor, the neglected and the persecuted. Have mercy upon our friends and upon our enemies, upon those who are near to us and upon those who are far from us. And have mercy upon Your church, O God.

Help us, by Your grace and with Your Gospel, to proclaim Your glory to the ends of the earth, particularly among the peoples who have yet to hear of Your love.

Lord Jesus, the nations of the world need You. We need You to save us from our sin and to save us from ourselves, and we praise You for Your life, Your death and Your resurrection, which make such salvation possible. By your blood, you have ransomed men and women for God from every tribe, tongue, people and nation, and so we pray today for the nations in anticipation of the day when You will receive the praise You are due from every people group on the planet … in anticipation of the day when You will usher in a new heaven and a new earth and Your people drawn from every nation of the earth will dwell with You in holiness and happiness, safety and security, free from sin and suffering, forever and ever.

We are still today, and we know that you are God. And we trust, we hope, we know that You will be exalted among the nations, and You will be exalted in all the earth. Toward that end we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Related articles

• Pastor David Platt’s Prayer for the Nations (blackchristiannews.com)
• 20 pictures of Jesus by David Platt (video short) (rodiagnusdei.wordpress.com)
• In Mideast Simulcast, David Platt says Christians Have Been ‘Reached for a Reason – to Evangelize Others’ (blackchristiannews.com)

Islamists tell Egyptian Christians ‘Convert, go broke, or die’

Photo credit http://www.nytimes.com

South of Cairo, Fear and Tension After Violence Toward Christians: Two months after the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi, the Egyptian government is struggling to contain his supporters in some parts of the country.

Also read this story in the New York times Sept. 16,2013 –  In Islamist Bastions of Egypt, the Army Treads Carefully, and Christians Do, Too

Egypt (MNN) ― Egypt is still upside-down and sideways.

Nearly a month after a state of emergency was declared, the interim government extended the order by two months.

This action gives security forces greater powers of arrest. In mid-August, authorities and protestors clashed violently over the ouster of President, Mohamed Morsi. That led to a backlash of violence that claimed nearly 1,000 lives in the days that followed, with Christians targeted as the scapegoat. Open Doors CEO David Curry says, „Some of these extremist groups think that Christianity itself, the very existence of it, is problematic, so they’re trying to snuff it out. So there’s a confluence of events which is making it very, very dangerous to be a follower of Jesus in Egypt.”

Ever since, a night-time curfew has also been in effect in much of the country. With that in place, how did Islamists managed the takeover of a Christian village in the south? Police can’t be everywhere and can’t protect everyone, Curry says. The lack of protection is especially dangerous for the residents in Dalga, which was taken over by hardliners a couple of weeks ago. „There are about 20,000 believers that have an enclave there (in Dalga), and they gather together and they go to church. They want to worship in freedom.”

What’s more, since the siege began, word has leaked out that the Muslim Brotherhood has demanded that the Christians recant, pay a „jizya,” or suffer the consequences. Curry explains, „They’re literally being taxed until and unless they convert to Islam. So there’s a tax levied. If you don’t pay the tax, you’re going to be attacked, you’re going to be punished, and your property is going to be attacked.”

The „jizya” is a kind of tax that Islamic law requires religious minorities to pay Muslims. The amounts demanded are ruinous. „We’re talking about real money in terms of the Egyptian lifestyle. It may be that a person is made to choose between holding on to their faith and being martyred for their faith.”

Already, Muslims in southern Egypt have killed two Christian men for failing to pay it. The Voice of the Martyrs reports that a Muslim man demanded a Christian in a village in Assiut pay him nearly $1,500. They’ve also forced at least 140 Coptic Christians to pay 200 Egyptian pounds daily (US $30). When you consider that roughly 40% of Egyptians live on less than $2 USD a day, there aren’t many who can remain in their hometown safely. Forty Coptic Christian families have left as a result of the tax.

Still, Curry says there have been reports of people coming to Christ. He explains, „The Christian faith is vibrant, and it’s going to find its fruition because people are seeking answers, and they’re not looking for political answers.” Additionally, the followers of Christ have something that piques curiosity in times like these. „When people are introduced to Jesus, there’s peace. There’s life there. That’s what we want for them. Certainly, there are still great things happening even in the midst of this difficulty and in this persecution.”

Related articles

• Egypt army storms Islamist-held town (bbc.co.uk)
• Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to Coptic Christians: Convert to Islam, or pay ‘jizya’ tax (washingtontimes.com)
• Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to Coptic Christians: Convert to Islam, or pay ‘jizya (wikileaks-forum.com)
• Egyptian authorities recapture Islamist-held town (theguardian.com)

Syria – Concerned for the safety and future of their children 4 out of 10 Christians leaving Damascus

MissionNewsNetworg.org via OpenDoorsMinistry reports:

Syria ― „The situation is very grim. There is deep sadness and much stress and anxiety.” That is the summary Pastor Edward from Damascus gave to Open Doors on the situation in the Syrian capital. (Photo credit on right www.religiontoday.com)

According to the pastor, about 40% of the members of his church have left the country since the conflict in Syria started over two years ago. Imagine: four of every ten members of your church leaving in such a short period. That means a major loss for every congregation. And that is the reality churches in Syria now face as this example from Damascus shows.

People who have the financial means, and especially those who have contacts abroad, are leaving the country. Pastor Edward knows that in his church, some members still are waiting for the opportunity to leave Syria, too. „They are still trying to find a place to go.” However, all the people that left didn’t leave the church services empty. „No, we see new people coming to church. Many of the families that we visit and help with a monthly food supply, for example, come to our services now.”

Although there is no fighting going on in the central area of Damascus, in several suburbs fighting is a daily reality. No one can escape from the distant sound of explosions and shooting. „It seems that there is no end in sight. Christians are like all other people: concerned for their safety and the future of their children.”

In a way, life goes on for many people in the capital. People who work in the public sector still go to work. „But their income is worth less and less as the Syrian pound lost 75% of its value, which caused huge inflation. After over two years of civil war, most people are suffering economically and are traumatized emotionally.”

The pastor also mentions „a brighter side” in the gloom. „Church people are closer to the Lord and to each other.”

Related articles

• Situation ‘very grim’ in Syria (christiantoday.com)
• Pastor Of Church In Damascus: 40 Percent Of Congregation Has Fled Syria (eurasiareview.com)
• Pastor Of Church In Damascus: 40 Percent Of Congregation Has Fled Syria (albanytribune.com)

Afghan Christians fleeing to India – Muslims in Afghanistan calling for their death

Afghanistan (MNN) ―According to a report originally published by Mohabat News, Afghanistan’s leaders are calling for the death of Christian converts.

„Numerous Afghans have become Christians in India. This is an offence to Islamic Laws and, according to the Quran, they need to be executed,” stated the Afghanistan Member of Parliment, Nazir Ahmad Hanafi, in a published report.

The number of people coming to Christ from Muslim backgrounds is reportedly increasing. Most Muslim-background believers have fled to India for safety; a growing church established in Delhi reportedly has around 250 members.

Afghanistan’s Parliament has addressed this issue on separate occasions over the past few months. Voice of the Martyrs Canada says authorities view Gospel growth as a threat.

One MP, Abdul Latif Pedram, said that „conversions to Christianity are the result of the presence of the United States in Afghanistan.” He feels the conversion of Afghans in India is part of the U.S.’s longer-term plan to alter the country’s culture and religion.

According to The Barnabas Fund, Parliamentary speaker Abdul Rauf Rahimi „ordered the country’s national security services to take serious steps to stop the spread of Christianity.”

Reportedly, some Afghan Islamic clerics have warned their government against the influence of Christianity. The Islamic Council of Afghanistan told President Karzai about more Christian aid workers and missionaries possibly coming to Afghanistan, and the likelihood of more conversions taking place as a result.

Ask the Lord to intervene in this situation and save His followers. Pray for the continued growth of His Church in India among Afghans.

Related articles

• Afghani Member of Parliament: „Execute Afghan Christian converts.” (christiantoday.com)
• Afghan Member of Parliament: „Execute Afghan Christian converts.” (vineoflifenews.com)
• AFGHANISTAN: MP Seeks Execution of Afghan Christian Converts (canadafreepress.com)
• Pakistan’s economic future depends on its ties with India: US (dnaindia.com)