SermonIndex Audio Sermons
SermonIndex - Promoting Revival to this Generation
Give To SermonIndex
Discussion Forum : News and Current Events : Iranian Pastor Sentenced to be Hung

Print Thread (PDF)

Goto page ( 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page )
PosterThread









 Iranian Pastor Sentenced to be Hung

Latest reports from Iran indicate the death sentence will still stand against Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. The Iranian Supreme Court referred the case back to the lower court for reexamination. Pastor Youcef's sentence could be over turned if he will recant his faith in Christ and return to Islam. Something that Brother Youcef said he will not do.

He has written letters from prison where he has encouraged the Iranian believers to stand firm in Christ. His last letter encouraged the believers to accept persecution as their destiny in following Jesus.

Brother Youcef is the leader of one of the largest house church network in Iran. He was arrested and charged with apostacy. He is sentenced to be hung. In recent years Iran has not executed anyone for apostacy.

Prior to the Islamic revolution in 1979 there were less than 500 believers in Iran. Now thr church is estimated to be at 100,000 believers. Voice of the Martyrs estimates that 500 to 600 people a day come to Christ. Mainly through the internet. But reports are jesus is revealing himself as the Man in White in dreams and visions are resulting in conversions.

Please keep the Iranian church and Brother Youcef in your prayers. Both the political and religious leaders are regarding the house churches as a threat to Islam in Iran.

Submitted by Blaine Scogin

 2011/9/26 11:21
Lysa
Member



Joined: 2008/10/25
Posts: 3699
East TN for now!

 Re: Iranian Pastor Sentenced to be Hung


Here is a couple of articles about him...

http://aclj.org/iran/judgment-day-will-pastor-youcef-nadarkhani-be-iran%E2%80%99s-next-christian-martyr

...The level of public approval of persecution of Christians in Iran is also apparent, as at least 285 Christians were arrested in 35 different cities in Iran during the first six months of 2011 without reaction. Many of the crimes charged carry death sentences. According to multiple sources, the Iranian regime EXECUTED approximately 312 INDIVIDUALS for various charges in summary executions during 2010, and is on pace to meet or surpass this number for 2011.


http://deathpenaltynews.blogspot.com/2011/07/iran-christian-pastors-repentance.html


_________________
Lisa

 2011/9/26 14:42Profile
looserchapel
Member



Joined: 2011/2/23
Posts: 58
Brest, France

 Re:

It always thrills me to read about the "unreachables" who get to know The Lord

In a sense, it is humiliating because it means that we haven't done our job, He has to show up, do the job Himself and in the process he has kind of left us in our pointless debate regarding -ism, -gy, etc.

Besides, it really makes me want to shout Hallelujah because He actually SAVES in the most remote place we have never thought of preaching His Gospel. It is always challenging to learn of a new conversion and the circumstance how it was brought forth

In closing, i take the chance to sound a bit rude but, i think in the western world we take "freedom" and "liberty" as a prerequisite to live our faith out. It isn't so... Remember what was Paul's pleasure???
- Infirmities
- Reproaches
- Persecution
- Distress

Forgive me but it seems to me that in America and Europe, it is such a big deal to be jailed for Christ or any other religion... we are so quick to quote such and such law on "freedom of faith and religion", we tend to forget that Christianity began with a handful louts and fishers who went from prison to prisons and that some even sung while they were jailed!! I know, the bottom line is i humbly believe, we missed the Holy Ghost... Oh that God send His Holy Fire again...

Please, don't misunderstand me, i didn't mean that we should not pray for his release but instead of just crying and attempting every legal procedure to free him, what about going on our knees and praising God for His faithful witness and eventually pray for him to be free?

Blessings,


_________________
Lalaina

 2011/9/26 17:27Profile
ginnyrose
Member



Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Re: Iranian Pastor Sentenced to be Hung

I was reading in Revelation 20:4-6:

4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

I noticed something...the ones who were resurrected to rule with Jesus a thousand years were those who were beheaded for his sake. And they are called "Blessed." WOW! Made me reconsider a few things about persecution, especially beheading. The point that came to me is that one needs to pray they would endure regardless what happens...

Ever notice this scripture?

Yes, the blood of the martyrs is the seed of church growth...


_________________
Sandra Miller

 2011/9/26 19:01Profile
Creation7
Member



Joined: 2011/8/16
Posts: 159


 Re:

Why doesn't the president demand his release? Is there any petition that can be signed?

 2011/9/26 19:16Profile









 Re: Creation 7

I do not know why the President does not demand his release. We are aware that the President is pretty iffy on human rights as particularly regards Christians.

As far as I know no petition drive has been initiated to free this brother. Such a drive might be complicated due to the fact Iran is classified as a 'rogue nation' by other nations in thr west. It's ranking is below that of N. Korea on persecution watch list.

Another question to raise is why the American evangelical church is silent on the persecution of our brothers anf sisters?

Blaine

 2011/9/26 19:31
Trekker
Member



Joined: 2011/7/29
Posts: 683
northern USA

 Re: Iranian Pastor Sentenced to be Hung

Thank you for providing this update; i had been praying for Youcef. I do not believe that Iran has not executed anyone for "apostasy" in recent years, i believe they just havent done it public. People "disappear", most likely. I am very saddened by this. He has two young boys and a wife who need him, not to mention his congregation. Pray for all of them, their financial needs and their safety.

 2011/9/26 20:18Profile
DB2
Member



Joined: 2011/9/3
Posts: 2


 Re:

I was studying the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation recently and was struck by the following words to the church at Smyrna:

"Do not fear what you are about to suffer" (Rev. 2:10a).

"Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10c).

In our land where so many hold to the Christian faith casually, we need to perceive the force of Jesus' words. Let us pray for the church in Iran.

 2011/9/26 22:03Profile
followthelamb
Moderator



Joined: 2010/12/7
Posts: 1527
In Christ

Online!
 Re: Iranian Pastor Sentenced to be Hung

A letter from Pastor Nadarkhani, written from Lakan Prison in Rasht, June 2, 2010:

Dear brothers and sisters, Salam

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am continuously seeking grace and mercy to you, that you remember me and those who are bearing efforts for his name in your prayers.

Your loyalty to God is the cause of my strength and encouragement.

For I know well that you will be rewarded; as it’s stated: blessed is the one who has faith, for what has been said to him by God, will be carried out.

As we believe, heaven and earth will fade but his word will still remain.

Dear beloved ones, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few verses, although you might know them, So that in everything, you give more effort than the past, both to prove your election, and for the sake of Gospel that is to be preached to the entire world as well.

I know that not all of us are granted to keep this word, but to those who are granted this power and this revelation, I announce the same as Jude, earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

We are passing by special and sensitive days.They are days that for an alert and awake believer can be days of spiritual growth and progress. Because for him, more than any other time there is the possibility to compare his faith with the word of God, have God’s promises in mind, and survey his faith.

Therefore he (the true believer) does not need to wonder for the fiery trial that has been set on for him as though it were something unusual, but it pleases him to participate in Christ’s suffering.

Because the believer knows he will rejoice in his glory.

Dears, the “ judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

Therefore those who are enduring burdens by the will of God, commit their souls to the faithful Creator. Promises that he has given us, are unique and precious. As we’ve heard he has said: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”

How can it be possible for a believer to understand these words?

Not only when he is focusing on Jesus Christ with adapting his life according to the life Jesus lived when he was on earth? As it is said ” O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”

Have we not read and heard: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Many attempt to flee from their spiritual tests, and they have to face those same tests in a more difficult manner, because no one will be victorious by escaping from them, but with patience and humility he will be able to overcome all the tests, and gain victory.

Therefore in the place of Christ’s followers, we must not feel desperate, but we have to pray to God in supplication with more passion to help us with any assistance we may need.

According to what Paul has said: In every temptation, God himself will make a way for us to tolerate it.

O beloved ones, difficulties do not weaken mankind, but they reveal the true human nature.

It will be good for us to occasionally face persecutions and abnormalities, since these abnormalities will persuade us to search our hearts, and to survey ourselves.

So as a result, we conclude that troubles are difficult, but usually good and useful to build us.

Dear brothers and sisters, we must be more careful than any other time.

Because in these days, the hearts and thoughts of many are revealed, so that the faith is tested.

May your treasure be where there is no moth and rust.

I would like to remind you of some verses that we nearly discuss everyday, (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.) but as long as our human will has priority over God’s will, his will will not be done.

As we have learned from him in Gethsemane, he surrendered his will to the father, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

What we are bearing today, is a difficult but not unbearable situation, because neither he has tested us more than our faith and our endurance, nor does he do as such. And as we have known from before, we must beware not to fail, but to advance in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, And consider these bumps and prisons as opportunities to testify to his name. He said: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

As a small servant, necessarily in prison to carry out what I must do, I say with faith in the word of God that he will come soon.”However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Discipline yourself with faith in the word of God. Retain your souls with patience. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly.

May you are granted grace and blessings increasingly in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.

Yusef Nadarkhani

Lakan Prison in Rasht

2/June/2010

http://www.persecution.org/2010/10/28/letter-from-pastor-youcef-nadarkhani-from-prison-in-iran


_________________
SI Moderator - Brandy Gordon

 2011/9/26 23:16Profile
MyVeryHeart
Member



Joined: 2010/8/30
Posts: 449
Paradise, California

 Re:

Thankful that you posted this letter sister

God Bless you,

Travis


_________________
Travis

 2011/9/26 23:57Profile





©2002-2024 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Revival to this Generation.
Privacy Policy