Proverbs 6:16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, 19 a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family.
Muslims, Jews, and Christians have blood on their hands today. Unfortunately, it will be Christians in the Middle East who had nothing to do with the making of this film who will pay the wages of sin with their lives.
Hi paxton,
That's right. This is, I believe, exactly why God encourages us to live at peace with our neighbors. Why He encourages us to speak the truth in love. Encourages us to be respectful and considerate of others as we seek to tell them the truth about Him.
Man's heart is wicked, who can know it. When anyone, in the name of our God and our Savior, attempts to 'overthrow' some false religion by attacking that faith, it is a normal and reasonable and should be expected response, from the many of that faith to protect and stand by it. After all, they have given their life to following this belief system. They have adopted a worldview that says, "This is how things really are." They have been indoctrinated and steeped in all that that faith teaches. People just don't spend hours and hours of their time practicing some system of faith if they don't belive it!!
So, intead of working to teach them the truth of God we try to attack what they do believe. Getting in their faces and denouncing what they have given their life to believe and you don't think you're not going to work up the ire of those people. Oh foolish man.
My encouragement: Put away unfettered patriotism. The children of God are not citizens of any nation on this earth. Our nation and our allegiance is to the new Jerusalem, the city built by the very hands of God that will come down from heaven adorned like a beautiful bride. I appreciate having been born in the United States and as earthly nations go, it is a reasonably good place to live, but it's far from perfect, friend. The United States is more like Sodom and Gomarrah than they are themselves. We are a wicked nation of wicked people and I do not rejoice or give my allegiance to such an earthly authority. However, I do follow God's commands to live and honor with respect the earthly authorities that have been placed over me. I will serve if asked to serve, I will obey if asked to obey, so long as it does not go against God's instructions.
I strive to be just like Daniel in my patriotism. Daniel spoke with the highest respect and regard to the king of Babylon. Daniel always treated the king with honor and worked within the confines of the laws of Babylon until those laws began to affect what he knew were God's commands. He would not bow down to the golden statue of the king even though it was the law. He would not give up his thrice daily praying and seeking God's knowledge through the Scriptures, even though it had been legally banned to worship any other god. Yet, even through all of this, Daniel took his punishment, trusted in God and when it was all over, Daniel was again the same respectful man of God towards the earthly authorities put over him.
You see, Daniel also knew that King Nebechudnezzer was put over the people of Isreal by God's design and decree. The king was where he was because of the very will of God. I believe similarly that the earthly rulers of our earthly dominions are there by the will of God. This doesn't make them godly people. King Nebedchudnezzer was not a godly man, nor was Pharoah of Egypt, who God also put over His people, a godly man. So, it is a careful and important distinction that while God may establish earthly dominions and authorities, the kings and rulers of those earthly dominions and authorities are not necessarily godly people.
However, born again believers are commanded to live in peace and with respect towards others. We are asked to teach the truth of God in love and God never, ever, ever asks of us to be argumentative or disrespectful of what others believe.
Will people die? Sure they will! People have been dying for at least 6,000 years and will continue to. Godly people have often died at the hands of the ungodly. Jesus would be the paramount example of this, but there are many others. Most all of the 12 died a martyr's death. We can certainly find ample evidence that 'christians' have been martyred in some fashion and number throughout the ages since. Why would anyone even think to presume that our age would be any different? Quite frankly, as I read and understand the Scriptures, I would expect to see more and more christians martyred for their faith than less and less.
One of the 'signs' that God explains to the souls waiting for His wrath to be released upon the world is that the number to have been martyred, just as they had, had not yet reached its fill. That same writing of John explains that Satan is now, at this very moment upon the earth, attacking and persecuting those who hold to the gospel of Jesus.
Pray for those who are born again and seeking to also spread, in peace and love, that message of how others can be born again. Pray for those of God's children who stand everyday at death's door proclaiming the truth of God. Pray for them, friend, and strive to be one of them. And then finally, trust in what we are told in Psalm 1. "God watches over the way of the righteous." Not a one of His children will be put to death or suffer that God is not fully aware of and in charge of.
God bless you.
In Christ, Ted
