Thursday, May 25, 2017

“Light, Darkness, and Terror in Manchester”, May 25, 2017


          Our hearts go out to those killed in Monday’s terror attack at a concert in Manchester, England.  It is very difficult for the average person to understand why people would do things like this to other people.  Those coming from a Judeo-Christian worldview are not going to really grasp it at all apart from understanding evil and the place from which evil originates.

         Terrorism seems to violate everything Christians have been taught both explicitly and implicitly from childhood.  Believers in Christ are completely aware that actions of this sort violate all Christian teaching and practice.  Jesus taught to treat others in the manner you yourself wish to be treated.  Also, that love is the fulfillment of the law and that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Believers in Christ often fall short of Gods glory, but there are clearly those in this world, operating and laboring on behalf of another god.

          The politically correct response to this latest barbarity is to say that most Muslims are peaceful, and do not condone such behavior.  That may or may not be true; however ex-Muslims, authors, and other experts on Islam have consistently maintained that today’s radical expressions of Islamic terrorism (I.S.I.S) are much more consistent with the actual words/teachings of the Koran and the life and beliefs of Islam’s founder Muhammad.   Are there really peaceful Muslims?  Yes, but we must conclude it is in spite of the teachings of the Koran rather than because of them.

          Christians are taught, and should believe, that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that no true peace can be found anywhere but in Him.  Further, there will be no lasting peace among mankind until the millennial reign of Christ where all nations will be in submission to Him.  No treaty or accord will ever achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.

          Some Christians tend not to want to take the good news of Jesus to people who are seemingly convinced, confirmed, and at peace in another religion/faith.  But, Muslims have been deceived by the evil one – Satan.  Unless their eyes are opened to the truth of Scripture and they confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior they will face eternity in Hell.  Jesus could not have been more explicit when he said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; No man comes to the Father except through Me.”  (John 14:6)

           Islam is the epitome of works-based salvation and man trying to achieve it by his efforts.  There is no appeal to God’s grace in their religion, but instead attempts to try and impress their god.  The most ultimate expression comes in making an offering of themselves in the battle against the West.  They have it all backwards.  Satan has completely scrambled the truth and got them to believe lies.  It is Jesus Christ Who died for us so that we do not have to pay the penalty for our own sin, and furthermore we do not have to offer our life for Him in order to attain salvation.  Instead we are to present our bodies as a “living” sacrifice holy and acceptable unto Him (Rom. 12:1).  This is said to be the “reasonable” standard of service for us to give.

          Muslim men are promised 70 virgins when they die in jihad as, for instance, a suicide bomber.  Where do they get the guts to do such a thing even with a false hope imprinted on their minds?  When pieced together terrorism investigators have discovered, as it turns out, that many of these suicide bombers have visited strip clubs only hours before carrying out their gruesome acts.  They apparently had to get themselves hyped up and aroused sexually in order to find the pseudo-courage to give their life for the cause of jihad and Allah.  Interestingly the sacrifice is supposed to be for Allah, but evidence shows the “70 virgins” were more likely captivating their thoughts.  Contrast all of this with Scripture’s admonishment to flee youthful (immature) lusts.  Christians desire Heaven because Christ our Savior is there and the rewards we will receive are secondary to simply seeing our Savior’s face and bowing down before Him, the One Who has saved us by His amazing grace.  No such belief exists in Islam.  The desire/lust the concert terrorist bombers had on Monday will exist for all of eternity and will never be quenched.

          Hell in the Scripture is described as a place of unquenchable flames, unbridled desire, deep regret, all perpetually unfulfilled.  For all of eternity those in Hell will lust and desire for things to bring them comfort, but will never see it be fulfilled.  Suicide bombers are giving up their earthly lives in pursuit of a lie of Satan. 

          Scripture emphasizes greatly the importance of children and the special place they hold.  Jesus even said “of such (referring to children) is the kingdom of Heaven.”  Why would bombers target children at a concert as opposed to others, such as full-grown adults?  Ultimately, we can only speculate; however it would seem that each terrorist act has an aspect to it where the latest terrorist is trying to strike just a little more fear than the one before him.  They do not want people to feel safe at home, in public, or anywhere else.  Just like Satan himself, the terrorist seek to take away the peace that Jesus offers as a free gift; the peace that passes all understanding.

          The hope for all mankind is in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  No matter whether children or adults, Westerners or Easterners, male or female, the only hope of anyone is repentance from sin and receiving of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

In Christ,

 

Dr. Allen Raynor

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