Ed Note: This alert concerns the epic rise in persecution, mainly from Muslims in the Middle East (but also occurring in the West) for a multitude of reasons, some of which the blame rests squarely on our own governments and military actions including ourselves. My prayer is that this can be used as tool for fellowship, encouragement, teaching and prayer concerning these current events.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER ? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

- 1 Peter 4:12-19

There are two important considerations that need to be made regarding the film Innocence of Muslims and the Islamist response 'contrived' by Washington in an attempt to cover up the pathetic inadequacy of security at the Benghazi consulate which resulted in instigating and fueling an actual Muslim response around the world.

First, judgment begins in the household of God. Within the church, there is much hatred of Muslims these days (I can compassionately understand those who have literally faced their wrath), but I have a hard time envisioning the martyrs of old reacting in a way many of today's believers are. Here we can apply Matthew 24:12, love (agape) of the saints growing cold. Yes, theirs is a false-religion heading straight to an eternity in hell and one that breeds every sort of demonic infested violence on earth now. The fruit of this is evident across the globe. However, God will hold us accountable first for forgetting truth:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

- Ephesians 6:12-13

There is a holy and righteous anger, and that anger should not be directed at a lost deceived people, but rather at what is manipulating, employing and exploiting them, the same that is manipulating and exploiting the spiritually poor and uneducated around the world, as they do in our own countries (something Jesus despised). This influence of "the deep things of Satan" is in our churches, and it has a hold on our governments, media, educational and economic institutions et al., at the behest of Mystery Babylon (the great harlot), for power, control and profit making and profit taking. (Honestly, I think one of the biggest reasons much of the true church is asleep on this is because many have their hands and hearts in the pot - focused on financial profits of the markets and marketplace rather than God's prophets.) Additionally there is the beast system, which the harlot is riding and has control over now, but when the antichrist comes to power, he will destroy her, "executing God's purpose" (Rev 17:16-17).

What is most difficult in this current state of global deception, false reports and confusion is to take the concrete concepts of Scripture and apply them to the 'real world' such as to discern between "who is who" as this evil beast and rider tramples many to death. This is where we must be patient to wait on the LORD to reveal through His word "as knowledge increases".

However, it is still the time of the great commission of the church - to be salt and light in the world by spreading the gospel, not those who breed needless discontent and certainly not instigators of violence. It is one thing when confronted with the pure truth of the gospel that the hearers may be "cut to the quick" and attack and kill the preacher as they did Stephen in Acts 7. However, this is not what we are seeing with false evangelism just as with the many false discernment ministries out there. Just as with Rick Warren's ridiculous trip to Syria being of the Serpent, this movie is by no means a good tool for refuting Islam as some have suggested and has become a tool of the Serpent and the Dragon. There may be truths in it regarding Islam, but its hideous production and use does nothing for the cause of Christ and everything for the cause of Islam. I think any believer would concur that a film about the Roman Catholic Church and its many child molesting priests would not be a good witness to those deceived by Rome or to the world if it was a poor production verging on mockery, even if it contained many truths, how much more to those deceived by Islam?  

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; ... Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;  

- 1 Peter 4:12 &15

[See 5 Questions at end of this article for an example of a "good witness"]

We are seeing more and more believers suffering because they are evildoers and troublesome meddlers - then other believers suffer even more so, because of the previous ones actions. Why are not more watchman taking note and reporting on this? Could it be that it involves the "detested" Muslims? (See another example here in the US where Muslims and police are clearly in the wrong -- but they are not saved! The Christians are instigating - there is nothing Scriptural about their actions, ... this is puffed up, arrogant, American pride! Not a display of the gospel [and note the article does not give this analysis]). If it is not the Muslims, feel free to add your most favorite hated group, perhaps "Liberal Democrats" if you live in the United States.  

This goes hand and hand with the issue of our US/NATO military apparatus becoming enemy number one of the church in the Middle East in the last 10 to 15 years. I am sure a number of Patriotic Americans would hate me for saying this but the facts are the facts and every place the US alliance and her proxies have set foot the church has been sent running for their lives - if they are still alive.

Second, the unquestioning response of the media follows a godless pattern which has so given itself over to the causes of non therapeutic abortion, the homosexual agenda, the destruction of Judeo-Christian beliefs, ethics and the family that they have become willing to edit, cut, distort and even outright lie in order to support their causes and destroy their opponents. This has been going on for years and occurs on both sides of the political aisle but has gained tremendous momentum in the last few years in America with so much of the media sold out to supporting the Obama Administration. Additionally, the left with their antichrist agenda have clearly had the upper hand when it has come to 'crafting' the overall media narrative. This is not reporting but distorting and purposeful misinformation with an agenda.

[What indeed trumps this is what is happening in the Evangelical church with "cut & paste" hermeneutics by none other than the above mentioned, "America's Pastor", Rick Warren using his verse translocation method to deceive the elect. This topic is covered by Jacob Prasch in a sermon called The Plastic Bible.]  

For at least two weeks after the September 11, 2012 attacks that killed four Americans in Libya followed by Islamic mayhem around the globe nearly all the media except perhaps Fox News and a few other Conservative, Israeli and Christian outlets followed without question the spin coming from The White House. This continued even when numerous and legitimate questions were immediately raised by legitimate sources. This is what it means to follow the narrative rather than to just report a story factually. Following the narrative is modern newspeak for lying, a.k.a. propaganda.

One of the most disturbing trends of the day that should not surprise me - yet still does - is the lack of many Americans to think beyond the propaganda fed to them from the media (or even question that it happens).

Propaganda: prop�a�gan�da (n)

1.       The systematic propagation [promotion] of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause.

2.       Material disseminated by the advocates or opponents of a doctrine or cause: wartime propaganda. ^[1]

(I would highly suggest reading the full definition and origin of this word, as it is gives great incite)

The latest regarding the filmmaker, a man named Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, is that he is a Coptic Christian (at least according to US Media - see below for further info) that used a Jewish pseudonym. Previously convicted of a laundry list of financial crimes he is now being held for violation of the condition of his probation in a Federal Prison in Los Angeles for uploading this video to You Tube. However, one has to wonder at the convenience of this particular "violation" in locking him up in the likelihood that he had been violating the conditions of his probation for quite some time while involved in this film according to news reports. In America, we have developed into pragmatic law enforcement where it is not necessarily justice that matters, only that there is someone to "lock up" when enough people scream loudly.

The Drudge Report, one of the biggest news aggregator sites on the web, and certainly, the most popular politically "Conservative" posted this headline across its site Saturday September 15^th:

"FEDS INVESTIGATE CHRISTIAN FILMMAKER"

Nice kick to the gut for believers, many of which are conservative in their political leanings and many of whom will likely vote for Mitt Romney come this November, the candidate Drudge has openly vied for.

But we should expect this? The scapegoating of Christians, whether it is those "in name only" or true believers has already begun and it will continue to increase manifold as they bare brunt of blame for the world's ills along with Jews.

What is most disturbing is that our blamer and chief, Barack Obama, who has saw fit to spend his entire presidency blaming George W. Bush, the Republicans, the TEA Party, and the rich for every and anything that did not go his way has now turned the blame on America, specifically "Christian America" and a film rather than his own ineptitude. This is the man, we can recall, many were calling a "messiah" back in 2008.

However, there is yet another angle to this. Walid Shoebat writes how the film and the lies surrounding it have all marks of Pallywood terrorist propaganda and that it is a jihadist weapon being used against the West. The article is below and I will let you consider and make the decision.

In conclusion, we have reached a point were Christianity is about to be eradicated from most of the Middle East with the help of the one country that did the most in the last few hundred years to spread the gospel, that is the United States. At the same time, within prophecy and discernment circles in the West there seems to be endless discord, fruitless discussion and wrangling about of words, not because someone is wrestling with an issue or concerned about sin or deception, but there is a spirit of arrogance and a loss of love (agape). Churches are falling apart, the shepherds are out for themselves, deceived, and there is betrayal among the sheep. The Lord will not stand for this long. Judah has grown worse than Israel.

Where is there safety for believers? Two sermons I highly recommend by Jacob Prasch regarding this are: "Egypt, Babylon, & the Palm of God" What are the options for the faithful remnant in the Last Days? Previous biblical examples provide a picture of what it will be like for Believers, and Principles of Persecution.

"Five Questions If You're a Muslim"

"Five Questions If You're a Catholic"

Five Questions for You - Main Page

[1] "propaganda" http://www.thefreedictionary.com/propaganda

While many people are regularly persecuted by Islam's blasphemy law, one particular case made August headlines: a 14-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan, Rimsha Masih, was arrested, accused of burning pages of a Quran. Rioting Muslims destroyed Christian homes and churches, tore Bibles to pieces and broke crosses, while calling for the death penalty against her. Because this story made it to the mainstream media, widespread international condemnation caused Pakistani authorities to release her recently, not by annulling Pakistan's blasphemy law, but by finding loopholes, from characterizing the girl as retarded-Islamic law does not mandate punishment for blasphemers if they are retarded-to the unprecedented exposure of a Muslim cleric who framed her.

Because this incident prompted a widespread rampage against Pakistan's Christians, thousands have deserted their homes and are dispossessed. The Christians from Rimsha's neighborhood, including women and children, fled into the woods in fear of Muslim retribution, while others were evicted by their Muslim landlords. A few Christians sleeping overnight on the ground just miles away from Pakistani government buildings decided to build a church there and make it their permanent dwelling place. "Here it is not anybody's home, nobody's land. Let us live here in safety," said one. Another said: "We have cleared this place with our hands, and we have laid the first foundation of a small church here. Although this is a mere skeleton made of tree branches, this is the holy home of God. This should be respected."

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

Jihad Killings and Christian Displacement  

Iraq: What Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors, characterized as "religicide," continues unabated in the nation that was liberated by U.S. forces a decade ago: "Christians in cities like Baghdad and Mosul are gripped by terrorism. They are fleeing in droves. Today [August 16] it was reported that at least 20 people died in blasts and shootings across the country." Before the toppling of Saddam Hussein, Mosul was home to some 75,000 Christians, but now the number has dropped to around 25,000. Christian homes are set on fire, bombs placed in their cars; other Christian families are receiving letters threatening them to leave Iraq or be kidnapped or killed.

Ivory Coast: As part of the civil war, Muslim rebels "massacred hundreds and displaced tens of thousands" of predominantly Christian supporters of Laurent Gbagbo. Since the attack, when their homes were taken by rebels, some 5,000 predominantly Christian ethnic Guere have been forced to flee into the ungoverned, inhospitable bush, or to the Catholic mission in Duekoue. The priest there reported that the mission has also been threatened by "crowds of angry youths."

Mali: As many as 200,000 Christians are fleeing to Algeria and Mauritania, where they are seeking a safe haven from Islamic terrorists linked to al-Qaeda, who have become increasingly active in the northern regions of the nation.

Nigeria: The Islamic terrorist organization Boko Haram [Western Education is a Sin] continued its jihad [holy war] to purge north Nigeria of all Christians. In one instance, gunmen murdered a 57-year-old evangelist of a Pentecostal church. When threatened earlier, he had said "I leave everything in the hands of God."

Syria: Some 12,000 people were blockaded in the predominantly Christian town of Rableh by anti-government forces; they killed several people trying to leave and refused the entry of food and medical supplies. Government forces had reportedly driven out the opposition by August 24. Christians were also given an ultimatum to leave the nearby cities of Qusayr and Homs, which has been almost entirely cleansed of its 50,000-60,000 Christian population. The predominantly Christian part of Aleppo was also hit by heavy fighting earlier this month; and a car bomb was detonated in the predominantly Christian area of Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, as "a crowd of faithful, families, elderly people, women and children, were heading to the cemetery to bury two young people who had died a day earlier, on August 27, also victims of an IED. Twelve died (other sources say as many as 27), including five children, and injuring more than 50 people." Further, "a family of Armenian Christians was found murdered, and all members of the family horribly decapitated."

Church Attacks 

Azerbaijan: The highest appeals court upheld the decision to close Greater Grace Church, "the first religious community to be liquidated by a court since the country's harsh new religion law came into force in 2009." The church, registered since 1993, had provided a place for Christian worship and teaching for almost 20 years; and with a congregation of nearly 500, was one of the larger Protestant churches in the country.

Indonesia: Two churches were the latest to be forcibly closed in West Java: First, a "large tent" used for services by St. Johannes Baptista Church in Bogor was sealed off by authorities on August 7. The congregation had been using the tent since 2006 as a temporary location while they awaited a permit for a proper building, for which it had applied in 2000. Police threatened to "tear down" the tent if the Christians continued to use it; the church leader suspects the hostility is linked to the growth of the congregation, which now numbers around 500. Second, Batak Karo Protestant Church in Bandung was sealed off by protesters who claimed that the congregation had earlier agreed not to use the building, even though it now has all necessary permits to hold service. ...

Apostasy, Blasphemy, Proselytism 

Egypt: A Christian man accused of defaming Islam was arrested after a complaint in which he was accused of posting opinions in Facebook which insulted Muhammad. Insults to Islam and the prophet are considered crimes in Egypt under Article 98(f) of the Penal Code, which states: "Confinement for a period of not less than six months and not exceeding five years... shall be the penalty inflicted on whoever makes use of religion in propagating, either by words, in writing, or in any other means, extreme ideas for the purpose of inciting strife, ridiculing or insulting a heavenly religion or a sect following it, or damaging national unity."

Pakistan: After a Pakistani flag with the name of "Allah" on it accidentally blew from a Christian's property to a Muslim's, the Muslim accused the Christian of deliberately trying to blaspheme the name of Allah. This accusation was advertised in the local mosques, and prompted enraged Muslims to threaten to burn down the homes of the 15 Christian families in the area. Also, a Christian pastor, who had preached among Muslims, some of whom showed interest in converting, was threatened and subsequently kidnapped. ...

Dhimmitude 

[General Abuse, Debasement, and Suppression of Non-Muslims as "Tolerated" Citizens]

Egypt: The nation's jihad organizations dropped leaflets calling on Muslims to kill Christians wherever they found them. Coptic shop owners who sell Christian icons and statues received threatening letters. Muslim "gangs" plundered and kidnapped for ransom Christians. Islamists in the Constituent Assembly demanded that the Coptic Church's funds be placed under state financial control, a measure categorically rejected by Copts: the state in no way funds the Church, even though mosques are funded by taxpayers, including Christians. Condemning the proposal, the acting Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church said the demand has only one meaning: "that Copts are clearly persecuted." Despite promising greater representation for Egypt's Copts, President Morsi broke his word and allowed only one Copt, a female, to represent the nation's 10-14% Christians in the newly formed Cabinet: "We had expected an increase in the representation of Copts especially after the number of ministries increased to 35. But the formation ignored all the known rights and concepts of citizenship," said the acting Patriarch: "It is not right that Copts get treated in this way." When Egypt's Constituent Assembly proposed a law to criminalize "forced labor, slavery, the trafficking of women and children, human organs, and the sex trade," from which Christians, especially females, would benefit, the Islamist party complained.

Iran: According to Mohabat News, authorities "raise[d] unsubstantiated charges" against five arrested converts to Christianity to "pressure" and "intimidate" them, including by falsely accusing them of desecrating the Quran, and holding them for indefinite periods. "Although their situation is still unclear six months after their arrest, there is no doubt that the Christians' only crime is related to their faith in Jesus Christ."

Pakistan: Eleven Christian student nurses were poisoned with mercury in their tea. It is believed that the Christian women were targeted as punishment for drinking tea while their Muslim colleagues were fasting during the month of Ramadan. And a 56-year-old Christian woman at the Karachi Press Club recounted how she and her family were enslaved and forced to work without pay, and tortured and beaten. Muslim "feudal lords" are threatening her and her extended family, with, among other charges, accusations of blasphemy: "Please protect us," they said. "We don't want to go back."

Saudi Arabia: The last of the 35 Ethiopian Christians held in detention since December after being arrested for holding a prayer meeting in a private home was deported home: "We have arrived home safe," one of the released said: "We believe that we are released as the result of the pressure exerted by ICC and others. The Saudi officials do not tolerate any religions other than Islam. They consider non-Muslims unbelievers. They are full of hatred towards non-Muslims."

Syria: A number of Melchite Greek Catholic priests, including the archbishop, fled to Lebanon after their offices were ransacked. According to Fides, "unidentified groups who want to feed a religious war and drag the Syrian population into sectarian conflicts" attacked the Christian area in the old quarter of Aleppo. A Byzantine Christian museum and an office of the Maronite Christian faith were also damaged.

Turkey: The chairman of Parliament's education committee is accusing the French government of "planting seeds of hate" with its move to include the Armenian genocide in history and geography books used in French secondary schools. Armenia, backed by many historians, says that about 1.5 million Armenians were killed in what is now eastern Turkey during World War I in a deliberate policy of genocide ordered by the Ottoman government.

Uzbekistan: A 26-year-old Christian woman, paralyzed from youth, and her mother were violently attacked by six men with sticks who broke into their home at 4 a.m. The men ransacked the home, confiscating icons, bibles, religious calendars and prayer books. When the paralyzed woman furtively tried to phone for help, she was beaten again. They were all taken to the police department, where the woman was "offered to convert to Islam." She refused, and the judge eventually "decided that the women had resisted police and had stored the banned religious literature at home and conducted missionary activities. He fined them 20 minimum monthly wages each." ...

Edited :: See Original Report Here
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3382/muslim-persecution-of-christians-august-2012