THE PERSECUTED CHURCH...Killed because they were Christians
“9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” (Rev. 6:9.10)”
The brutal killing of the 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, who had been abducted in Libya by members of the Islamic State, was videotaped and the entire death film was posted online on Sunday, Feb. 15. It is entitled, “A Message Signed With Blood, To The Nation of the Cross.”
“Coptic” means “Egyptian,” and Christians living in Egypt identify themselves as Coptic Christians. As a denomination they originated in the city of Alexandria, one of the most faithful, respected, and fruitful cities during the Apostolic Period. Proudly, the Coptic Christians acknowledge and herald John Mark, (author of the Gospel of Mark), as their founder and first bishop sometime between A.D. 42 - A.D. 62
As we, in American Christian church, observe the persecuted church around the world we have an obligation before God to:
1. Get Informed! We need to know what is happening to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. Pray! Only God can truly change the hearts of men. Only God can rescue the persecuted church.
3. Support! We have many opportunities to support the humanitarian work that is being done in these regions. We can support these works by volunteering, giving and certainly praying.
You can purchase a copy of the book below at the Grace Place Austin this weekend for $20.00. It will help you get informed so you can get involved.
