John 16:2-3:16

The Death of an American, The Death of Decency. The following is a quote from the Arab network. "We were winning international sympathy because of what happened at Abu Ghraib, but they come and waist it all." Five of Kuwait's seven dailies published the report with photographs on their front pages. The other two published brief reports. The Al-Siyassah daily ran two photos, including one with a masked militant holding up the severed head. Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Comment by Matthew Henry;
Our Lord Jesus, by giving his disciples notice of trouble, designed that the terror might not be a surprise to them. It is possible for those who are real enemies to God's service, to pretend zeal for it. This does not lessen the sin of the persecutors; villainies will never be changed by putting the name of God to them. As Jesus in his sufferings, so his followers in theirs should look to the fulfilling of Scripture. He did not tell them sooner, because he was with them to teach, guide, and comfort them; they needed not then this promise of the Holy Spirit's presence. It will silence us to ask, whence troubles come? It will satisfy us to ask, whither go they? Jesus told us that we would come into parlous times, He knew that dangerous times would beset us and that many would be martyred for His name sake. An American Jew was murdered in Iraq, many more will follow. This is the spirit of antichrist running the Moslem world.

These things will come to pass, take place and will become more numerous as time passes. As the time of Jesus second appearance draws nearer, many more people will be beheaded. People, until this incident, couldn't believe that others would actually behead another human being, now they know different. Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

In Galatians, The scripture tell us that people will and are doing things in the name of God, that don't even know Him. Hammas, Al-Quida and the other terrorist organizations, know not God but are serving their father, which is Satan. These people have been deceived so tremendously, that they think they serve the living God. Should there be anger in the Christian world today over these types of incidents, lets look at the scripture and here what the Heavenly Father has to tell us, lets let Him answer that question. Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

God said, "Rest yet for a little season, until your fellow servants also and your brethren, that should be killed as you were, should be fulfilled." God told the martyred ones not to come to anger but rather to rest. We as Christians cannot allow barbarous acts to draw us into anger that would cause us to become as the world but to leave it to God and His Legions of Angels." Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. I will repay." I know that things of this nature are hard to deal with, but this is the troubled times that Jesus spoke of. This is a time that we should draw closer to God and his protection. If God be for us, then who can be against us. Our faith in Jesus will sustain us in these times of murder and confusion. Just remember this is only the beginning of sorrows, many who do not make the rapture will have chouses to make as to their faith in Christ. Will they go to slaughter, as a lamb, for the witness of God or will they chose to save their mortal lives by rejecting Him who died for them? Weep and mourn for those that are fallen, pray for those that will fall. Strengthen your resolve in Christ, for we may one day be chosen to be martyred for Christ . John 3;16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Let us pray together; Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Anthony Smith
Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/