One of the worst Christian massacres—complete with mass graves, tortured-to-death women and children, and destroyed churches—recently took place in Syria, at the hands of the U.S.-supported jihadi “rebels”; and the U.S. government and its “mainstream media” mouthpiece are, as usual, silent.
The massacre took place in Sadad, an ancient Syriac Orthodox Christian habitation, so old as to be mentioned in the Old Testament. Most of the region’s inhabitants are poor, as Sadad is situated in the remote desert between Homs and Damascus (desert regions, till now, apparently the only places Syria’s Christians could feel secure; 600 Christian families had earlier fled there for sanctuary from the jihad, only to be followed by it).
In late October, the U.S-supported “opposition” invaded and occupied Sadad for over a week, till ousted by the nation’s military. Among other atrocities, 45 Christians—including women and children—were killed, several tortured to death; Sadat’s 14 churches, some ancient, were ransacked and destroyed; the bodies of six people from one family, ranging from ages 16 to 90, were found at the bottom of a well (an increasingly common fate for “subhuman” Christians).
The jihadis even made a graphic video (with English subtitles) of those whom they massacred, while shouting Islam’s victory-cry, “Allahu Akbar” (which John McCain equates to a Christian saying “thank God”). Another video, made after Sadad was liberated shows more graphic atrocities.
Kind of strange to be posting such during a time of "Joy to the world" and "Silent Night". But the truth is, even upon the birth of Christ, Herod's death squads went forth to kill the Christ child. Since His identity could not be established, all children under the age of two suffered. Thus the weeping in Ramah was heard through out the land. That night, women had their children ripped from their arms and run through with spear and sword.
Today the world seeks to shun the truth and clothe it's view of Christmas in a shiny, happy, package. While I do celebrate the joy of who Christ is, and the gift of what He has given to me, I also recognize the plight of the Church around the world. To bear the name is a death sentence to some. To identify yourself as a believer in Christ is to bring persecution and rejection to you and your family. But Western society, social media, government and, to some degree, the church looks the other way when it comes to the extermination of believers. One thing I do know...God the Father does not look the other way. He takes it very serious when His children are persecuted. There will be a balancing of the scales, if not here then on the other side of eternity. Those responsible will have to answer for the actions.....others will have to answer for their inaction.
As I shared during our candle light service this past Saturday evening..."The only reason that Christmas exists is because of darkness." The evil intent and rule of sin in this world. Jesus came to destroy the works created by the devil through the dark hearts of men and women trapped in the bondage of sin. So as much as life and light are a part of Christmas....so is death and darkness. But we don't loose heart, or succumb to the darkness. We stand and proclaim the truth of Who God is and the truth of what He came to do and continues to do.
I fear that our own nation has crossed a line that it may never be able to reverse. Does that mean I've given up hope...never! But the task ahead can only be won by being the church of Christ. It won't be done through cleaver messages, or shiny services that tickle our ears and placate our hearts. It will be won as we change one heart at a time. It will be won through our love and sharing the age old message of hope..real hope. It will be won when Jesus becomes greater, in our lives, than our denominations. When He is given rightful rule and reign in HIS church. (After all, He did die for it, didn't He?)
MB.
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