CONCLUSION
Many of us may feel disconnected from such events taking place on the other side of the globe. However, our shortsightedness may lead to our demise. While church attendance continues to decline in America over 150,000 in the U.S. have converted to Islamic faith in 1996 alone. Iran's evangelical Christian leaders are at continued risk, even after fleeing the country. Over 60 "dissidents" have been executed outside Iran in the last two decades. The treatment that Iranian Christians can expect to receive while imprisoned is clearly stated by Special Representative Mr. Reynaldo Galindo Pohl in his report to the United Nations: "Torture of prisoners was reported to remain common throughout the country...the most frequently used methods were beatings with cables and rifle butts on the back and soles of the feet, suspension for long periods in contorted positions and burning with cigarettes." The report went on to note the "continued high number of executions, cases of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment...[and] the absence of guaranties of due process of law." Not surprisingly, the testimonies of Iranian believers under Islamic law reads much like that of Christians under Herod's rule in the Book of Acts.
Recently Islamic leaders have called for an escalation in the holy war by stating that whoever claims the acceptability of any existing religion other than Islam such as Judaism or Christianity is a non-believer and should be asked to repent. Those who refuse must be killed as an apostate because they rejected the Koran. The support for such actions reflects the widespread acceptance of the new anti-Christian propaganda and agitation coming from Tehran and Khartoum. Over the entire Arab world, and especially in Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan, and Indonesia, attacks by Islamic mobs have been increasing. While the Muslim nations unite in a common mission to enforce Islamic rule, Christians in the western world remain relatively ignorant. However, Ephesians 6:12 clearly states that we are also in a "holy" war, a battle not "against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Are we engaged in this battle on our knees? Perhaps we can learn from the devotion of the Muslims...
On February 5, 1997, a rumor surfaced in Pakistan alleging that Christians had destroyed a Koran and thrown its loose pages into a mosque shortly after evening prayers. Within 24 hours the Muslims had joined forces in the surrounding villages and gathered an army of 30,000 to deliver its revenge. The inflamed Muslims went on a rampage in Pakistan's Punjab Province, burning down churches and destroying the homes and shops of their Christian neighbors. A Christian leader visiting Shanti Nagar the following morning reported, "Every house is burned out, the town is looted, all the vehicles are burnt, and they have destroyed the water tanks, the electricity system, everything." Twenty Christians were hospitalized and one brother, "Feroz Masih," has since died. Two young girls are missing and believed to be held by Muslim terrorists. One thousand Christian men, women, and children were also taken out into a field to be executed. Fortunately, the Pakistani army arrived before the massacre took place. Nearly 15,000 Christians are now homeless and have lost most of their personal property. They have no food, no water, no place to sleep, and nothing to wear except the clothes they wore while watching their village burn. The reported damages exceed U.S. $2.5 million. It was later discovered that members of the Pakistani police were responsible for destroying the Koran and had falsely accused the Christians in the name of Islam.
We also need to become a witness to our Muslim neighbors, many of whom are very loving and do not subscribe to the radical teachings of their leaders in the Arab nations. Some of us may be called to find employment in an Arab nation to gain better opportunities to share the love of Christ with the followers of Islam. While thousands of missionaries are running to newly opened Soviet borders, how many are seeking opportunities to serve in the Middle East? Many Christians in Islamic nations have fled to neighboring countries more open to the gospel, but many more remain in the thick of the battle, believing that God would have them stay to do His work. These courageous saints have been granted a unique measure of grace to cope with such situations and they need our support. It is not for them to battle alone. We must pick up the "weapons of our warfare" (2 Corinthians 10:4) and devote ourselves to this service without hindrance from worldly desires and passions
