Thursday, February 8th, in the year of our Lord 2018
By Jonathan Clark
Christian Suffer in Iranian Prison
Eleven Iranian Members of Parliament visited Evin Prison this week, investigating the abuse of prisoners while ignoring the Christians there.
The World View spoke to Claire Evans, Regional Director for the Middle East with International Christian Concern, about the notorious Iranian prison for the persecution of Christians.
“Evin Prison; it’s a place where if you really want to investigate the abuse that is going on, then you really have to look at the abuse of Christians in the prison because so many have gone through the doors and continue to be in prison there and their abuse they face is much worse than any other prisoners who are incarcerated there. It was an opportunity if they were truly serious about wanting to find out about prison abuses, but obviously that didn’t happen.”
Evans also shared how these Christians suffer in prison and how you can pray for them.
“First, with Christians who are still in prison, what they’re experiencing it affects every part of who they are as a person, and it takes a huge toll on them in so many different ways. They come out very sick. They come out just oppressed, and they really struggle with depression. Many of them just even struggle with lingering feelings of fear, like the regime is still there, still over their shoulder, and the regime is. We need to pray that they can have strength during these difficult times. Pray for their health as they are often denied medical treatment.”
Despite Iranian Oppression, Church Growing Exponentially
Four United Nations human rights experts are calling on Iran’s Revolutionary Court to give a fair final hearing this week for three Christians charged with religious activities, decrying the charges as a violation of Iran’s duties under international law, reports Radio Free Europe.
Despite such cases, the church in this Islamic regime has grown one hundred-fold from an estimated 500 Christians in 1979 to about 360,000 Christians today.
Jesus reminds us of the spiritual fruit His Word brings in Matthew 13:23, “He who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Indonesian Christians in America might remain
Last week, a federal judge halted the deportation of 50 Indonesian Christians living in New Hampshire under an unofficial arrangement with officials after fleeing violence in their homeland.
President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered an end to that deal, but the new ruling allows the Christians to make a case for legal residence by showing they would suffer persecution if sent back to Indonesia.
Religious Freedom Victories
Two court victories for religious freedom recently.
First, the state of North Carolina agreed last month to pay a $300,000 settlement to former magistrate Gayle Myrick who was forced to resign over her Christian objection to performing faux same-sex wedding ceremonies.
This came after a federal court ruled that the state courts were “required by law” to accommodate Myrick’s religious beliefs.
Second, a California superior court judge ruled Monday that the state cannot force Tastries Bakery owner Cathy Miller to make a cake against her beliefs for two lesbians, arguing it would violate Miller’s free speech and would be “the stuff of tyranny.”
Proverbs 2:8 says, “[The Lord] guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.”
Ohio Abortion Mills in Hot Water
In a decision released Tuesday, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled against two abortion mills in the state trying to overturn a 2014 order for them to shut down over violating state regulations.
The ruling affects Toledo’s last murder facility as having operated illegally.
Tipping Point on Government Shutdown
U.S. Senate leaders unveiled a two-year budget deal yesterday to prevent a government shutdown, increase government spending by $300 billion, and raise the federal debt limit.
While expected to pass the Senate, opposition is expected from some House lawmakers.
Sodomites Force Ken Ham Cancellation
The University of Central Oklahoma recently cancelled a speaking visit by Answers in Genesis president Ken Ham after backlash from those committed to sexually perverted lifestyles.
Ken Ham responded by saying, “I find it highly ironic that after being scheduled to speak in the school’s Constitution Hall, our constitutional right to free speech and the free exercise of religion . . . have been denied with the school’s cancellation.”
American universities have gone the way of Isaiah 59:14, “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.”
Christian Centers at Pagan Ivy League Schools
In contrast, a couple dozen Christian study centers have popped up over the last decade in pagan universities including Cornell, Yale, and the University of California at Berkeley.
The centers draw hundreds of students weekly, inviting them to integrate their Christian faith with science and their academic studies, reports Religious News Service.
One student described the experience, saying, “It’s like my second home. I feel like I’m welcome here and encouraged to welcome others in the name of Christ.”
A Tesla electric car in sun’s orbit?
And finally, Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk successfully launched his Falcon Heavy rocket on its maiden voyage from the Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday.
The two side boosters fell back to Earth and landed upright as planned.
The rocket’s payload is one of Musk’s own Tesla electric cars to be put into the sun’s orbit, the first time a private company has launched something into deep space.
Closing Line
And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, February 8th in the year of our Lord 2018. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldView.com. I’m Adam McManus. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.