Friday, January 28, 2011

Iran: 70 Christians Arrested in Crackdown against Apostasy

It is illegal in Iran to share Christianity with Muslims or preach the gospel in Farsi, the indigenous language of Iran. It is also illegal for a Muslim to reject Islam (apostasy). Therefore, Farsi-speaking, Iranian Muslim converts to Christianity must worship in illegal "underground" fellowships.

In a massive crackdown that began on Christmas Day, authorities arrested about 70 Farsi-speaking believers. Most are young converts from Islam. They are being interrogated and coerced. The arrests follow the denial of an appeal for a Muslim convert sentenced to death for leaving Islam.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's death sentence is only being delayed to give intelligence agents more time to convince him to renounce Christ and return to Islam. His wife has been sentenced to life imprisonment. They have two small children.

Source: Assist News Service


Ask God to protect the believers in Iran and that the attempted repression of the spread of Christianity by the Iranian regime would prove futile. Pray that those in leadership would be delivered from the powers of darkness and come to trust in Christ.

"The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the terrible one is brought to nothing, the scornful one is consumed, and all who watch for iniquity are cut off-who make a man an offender by a word, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just by empty words." Isaiah 29:19-21

The Voice of the Martyrs assists Christians in Iran by providing Farsi Bibles and by supporting Christian satellite broadcasts. – January. 2011

A Voice of the Martyrs Volunteer

2 comments:

  1. May God Bless them, those who risk their lives daily in these islamic countries to bring the word of God and the good news of salvation to those who are deprived of this freedom from their government. My prayers will be with you all! continue to preach the word of God and remember he loves even those who persecute us, the persecutors are only blinded by the enemy in an attempt to take their life after this earth has passed away. May God be with you, may He protect you and hide you under His wings! Surely The Lord will bless those who love him and you will be blessed! May the Holy Spirit guide you to bring life into the lost and may your needs be supplied! in the name of Jesus! Amen.

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  2. MARCUS, thank you and God bless you. Your comments and prayers are very much appreciated! Most people in the world are completely unaware of the plight of these good people. Christian persecution is world-wide and we must do all we can to help our brothers and sisters in Christ.

    Thanks again! - Tiger

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