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John Adams' 1799 Thanksgiving Proclamation

A PROCLAMATION by the President of the United States of America:

As no truth is more clearly taught in the Volume of Inspiration, nor any more fully demonstrated by the experience of all ages, than that a deep sense and a due acknowledgment of the governing providence of a Supreme Being and of the accountableness of men to Him as the searcher of hearts and righteous distributor of rewards and punishments are conducive equally to the happiness and rectitude of individuals and to the well-being of communities; as it is also most reasonable in itself that men who are made capable of social acts and relations, who owe their improvements to the social state, and who derive their enjoyments from it, should, as a society, make their acknowledgments of dependence and obligation to Him who hath endowed them with these capacities and elevated them in the scale of existence by these distinctions;

As it is likewise a plain dictate of duty and a strong sentiment of nature that in circumstances of great urgency and seasons of imminent danger earnest and particular supplications should be made to Him who is able to defend or to destroy; as, moreover, the most precious interests of the people of the United States are still held in jeopardy by the hostile designs and insidious acts of a foreign nation, as well as by the dissemination among them of those principles, subversive of the foundations of all religious, moral, and social obligations, that have produced incalculable mischief and misery in other countries; and as, in fine, the observance of special seasons for public religious solemnities is happily calculated to aver the evils which we ought to deprecate and to excite to the performance of the duties which we ought to discharge by calling and fixing the attention of the people at large to the momentous truths already recited, by affording opportunity to teach and inculcate them by animating devotion and giving to it the character of a national act :

For these reasons I have thought proper to recommend, and I do hereby recommend accordingly, that Thursday, the 25th day of April next, be observed throughout the United States of America as a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that the citizens on that day abstain as far as may be from their secular occupations, devote the time to the sacred duties of religion in public and in private; that they call to mind our numerous offenses against the Most High God, confess them before Him with the sincerest penitence, implore His pardoning mercy, through the Great Mediator and Redeemer, for our past transgressions, and that through the grace of His Holy Spirit we may be disposed and enabled to yield a more suitable obedience to His righteous requisitions in time to come; that He would interpose to arrest the progress of that impiety and licentiousness in principle and practice so offensive to Himself and so ruinous to mankind;

That He would make us deeply sensible that "righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people"; that He would turn us from our transgressions and turn His displeasure from us; that He would withhold us from unreasonable discontent, from disunion, faction, sedition, and insurrection; that He would preserve our country from the desolating sword; that He would save our cities and towns from a repetition of those awful pestilential visitations under which they have lately suffered so severely, and that the health of our inhabitants generally may be precious in His sight; that He would favor us with fruitful seasons and so bless the labors of the husbandman as that there may be food in abundance for man and beast; that He would prosper our commerce, manufactures, and fisheries, and give success to the people in all their lawful industry and enterprise;

That He would smile on our colleges, academies, schools, and seminaries of learning, and make them nurseries of sound science, morals, and religion; that He would bless all magistrates, from the highest to the lowest, give them the true spirit of their station, make them a terror to evil doers and a praise to them that do well; that He would preside over the councils of the nation at this critical period, enlighten them to a just discernment of the public interest, and save them from mistake, division, and discord; that He would make succeed our preparations for defense and bless our armaments by land and by sea; that He would put an end to the effusion of human blood and the accumulation of human misery among the contending nations of the earth by disposing them to justice, to equity, to benevolence, and to peace; and that he would extend the blessings of knowledge, of true liberty, and of pure and undefiled religion throughout the world.

And I do also recommend that with these acts of humiliation, penitence, and prayer, fervent thanksgiving to the Author of All Good be united for the countless favors, which He is still continuing to the people of the United States, and which render their condition as a nation eminently happy when compared with the lot of others.

Given, etc.

JOHN ADAMS

1799

Isaiah 54-55 - Come to the Waters

Meissonier's Isaiah

Contextual Notes: Since chapter 40, Isaiah has offered comfort to his people and the nations. In Isaiah 53, we reached a peak in the prophecy where Isaiah identifies the Suffering Servant as the Branch (4:2), the stump (6:13), the Royal Child (7:14), and root of Jesse (11:1), and the Servant who is a divine-human king (42:1-9; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12). Now the work of the Servant who suffered our rejection (52:13-53:3), died for our salvation (53:4-9), and arose for our justification (53:10-12) is complete. It is done. It is finished.

Now Isaiah bursts into praise (chapter 54) that the future is secured with great benefits. Isaiah invites whoever will to come and be satisfied (55:1-5), but that choice involves submission to his Word (55:6-13).

Key Truth: Isaiah wrote Isaiah 54-55 to show Israel that the Suffering Servant offers an unshakeable, unfailing love and a free and abundant pardon.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about the benefits of submitting to the Servant-Messiah.

Key Verse: Isaiah 55:1-2

Pray and Read:  Isaiah 54-55

Sermon Points:

1.   His love for you is unfailing and unshakeable (Isaiah 54)

2.   His pardon for you is free and abundant (Isaiah 55)

Exposition:   Note well,

1.   HIS LOVE FOR YOU IS UNFAILING AND UNSHAKEABLE (Isaiah 54)

a.   Because of the completed work of the Servant, Isaiah bursts into praise. The future is assured. A new age has dawned. God’s covenant of peace is at last in force forever (54:1-10) with great benefits (54:11-17).

b.   54:1 O barren woman: The barren woman suffered shame as well as a terrible void in her life (cf. Hannah in 1 Samuel 1). Because of the Suffering Servant (chap. 53), we who have been barren (Sarah – Genesis 19), empty without God and have fallen short morally will know joy.

c.   54:2-3 – Your tent: The tent imagery and language recalls their father Abraham who dwelt in tents, calling to mind the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 17:15-19). It also refers to the children of Israel in the Wilderness. His promise of the Land will be fulfilled (Exodus 3:8; 34:10-11) and the nations (Post-exilic Israel may be very small, but one day they will fill the Promised Land.

d.   54:5 – Divine Servant: For your husband (He has an intimate relationship) is your Maker (He is Creator). YHWH (personal name of God) Sabaot (Warrior) is his Name. Your Kinsman Redeemer (goel) is the Holy One of Israel.

e.   54:6-8 – Your husband: Isaiah has used this image before (50:1-2). Prophets used the husband/wife analogy often to portray God’s relationship with Israel. Israel is the unfaithful wife who runs after pagan deity lovers in idolatry (cf. Hosea, Isaiah’s contemporary, Hosea 3:1). In anger, God was forced to abandon her for a time (Jeremiah 31:31-34). God is a faithful and compassionate husband who will restore His people to their special relationship with Him.

f.    54:8 – compassion: The Hebrew word here is raham, a term that means ‘to love deeply,’ thus to be compassionate. Isaiah uses it frequently (Isaiah 13:18; 27:11; 30:18; 49:10, 13; 54:7, 10; 60:10). The verb is used a total 47 times in the OT. In 35 occurrences, it is used to describe God’s love for human beings. Some other examples are found in Exodus 33:19; Deuteronomy 13:17; 30:3; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalm 102:13; 103:13; 116:5; Jeremiah 12:15; 13:14; 31:20; 33:26; Lamentations 3:32; Ezekiel 39:25; Hosea 1:6-7; 2:23; Micah 7:19; Zechariah 10:6.

g.   54:9-10 – Covenant with Noah: The last picture is of the covenant with Noah, in which God promised never again to destroy the earth (Genesis 9:8-17). God transforms this commitment into a promise that God will never again destroy Israel.

h.   54:10 – Covenant of Peace: This expression is also found in Ezekiel 34:25-31 and is linked with the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31. Its benefits become possible only after the Messiah forgives the sins of God’s people and makes them righteous. God will Himself teach his people, and they will be established in righteousness (Jeremiah 31:31-34). But the focus of this covenant is on security. God will throw a protective covering over His people so that they will be safe. While this covenant speaks to the end-times, it has present application for us.

i.     APPLICATION: God the Holy Spirit is Himself “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (Ephesians 1:14). Because we are God’s own, we are safe and secure. Paul understood it this way (Galatians 4:21-27).

j.    54:11-17 – Benefits of peace: This peace will bring three consequences:

                 i.    Prosperity – precious stones to build Jerusalem (54:11-12; Revelation 21:18-21).

                ii.    Serene faithfulness to the Lord (54:13-14)

              iii.    Absolute security because God will provide impregnable defense (54:15-17).

2.   HIS PARDON FOR YOU IS FREE AND ABUNDANT (Isaiah 55)

a.   55:1-5: A voice cries out to the thirsty, urging them to respond, inviting them to come and be satisfied. Isaiah associates this banquet with eternal life (25:6-8).

b.   55:1 – Without cost: It costs us nothing. It cost Christ everything.

c.   ILLUSTRATION: Bonhoeffer “cheap grace.”

d.   55:3-5 – Davidic covenant: Not only does the Servant make complete the Abrahamic covenant, but he fulfills the Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:11; 1 Chronicles 17:14; Matthew 1:17; Acts 13:34) and invites the thirsty to a royal banquet, a picture of the end-time feast of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Matthew 22:1-14). The aspects of the Messiah (55:4-5; cf. 52:15; 53:10b, 12a).

e.   55:6-7 – freely/abundantly pardon: It is in the free pardon that God offers the wicked that the sharpest difference between God’s thoughts and our thoughts are seen. We feel anger and outrage and call for revenge. God feels compassion and love and extends mercy. There seems to be a time limit on this offer (55:6). The day will come when we will no longer have the option of turning to the Creator in repentance (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7)

f.    Are all saved? No (Matthew 22:1-14). Isaiah makes it clear that a moral choice is involved. The wicked are welcome, but they must give up their way. The Hebrew word here for “turn, return” is shuv, the word for repent, to turn around in direction. The decision to come to God also involves submission to Him, to the Servant.

g.   55:8-9: Submission: We must abandon the arrogance that leads us to stand in judgment on God’s ways and submit to Him whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Jesus, repeated this message of forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35).

h.   55:10-13: Because God’s thoughts and ways are so far above our own, his words are life-giving and like gentle rain. Those who do submit to that Word of God, which is like life-giving rain from heaven, will share in a harvest of everlasting joy.

Invitation:

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Isaiah 52:13-53:12 - Numbered with the Transgressors

Mount Mitchell

Opening thought: As you drive westward in our state, you go from the coastal plain steadily up into the piedmont where the hills rise and fall with the streams and rivers, until you reach the mountain grade where you rise quickly into the mountains. There the weather is different. The air is cooler, and you continue to rise until you reach the Blue Ridge Parkway. There you drive still farther up, up, up, until you come to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Once you park at the top, you still have to walk a quarter mile or so uphill to the summit where on a clear day you can look back and observe many miles distant the terrain and neighboring mountains.

That is what we will do today as we find ourselves at Isaiah 53, that great mountain peak in Isaiah, a height that is all about the Messiah. From this height you can look back and see across the breadth and depth of Isaiah’s prophecy. You can see specific places pointing directly to this passage, pointing like the rest of the canon of Scripture, to the Messiah, the one about whom the Bible tells, the one whose suffering and resurrection will save his people from their sins.

Pray and Read:  Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Contextual Notes:

Well into the second section of Isaiah (since chapter 40) with a message of comfort, we reach a climax, a focal point, a mountain peak in Isaiah. The Servant, who was presented to us (“See” 42:1) and who has spoken of his experiences (49:1-6; 50:4-9) is now promised highest ultimate majesty through beyond the humiliation of suffering death.

Now we come to the fourth and most stirring of Isaiah’s Servant Songs (42:1-9; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12). In it we see the convergence of all the descriptions of the Messiah that Isaiah has used all the way back to chapter 4 (4:2-6). Here is the Old Testament’s clearest and most comprehensive description of the sufferings of the Messiah in one place.

Key Truth: Isaiah wrote Isaiah 52:13-53:12 to point Israel to the Suffering Servant who suffered for their rejection, died for their salvation, and arose for their justification.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about the Suffering Servant.

Key verse: Isaiah 53:5

Sermon Points: HE IS THE SERVANT WHO

1. Suffered our rejection (Isaiah 52:13-53:3)
2. Died for our salvation (Isaiah 53:4-9)
3. Arose for our justification (Isaiah 53:10-12)

Exposition:   Note well,

1.   HE IS THE SERVANT WHO SUFFERED OUR REJECTION (Isaiah 52:13-53:3)

a.   Overview: The Servant is valued by God but rejected by men (52:13-15). Looking for a powerful ruler, God’s people see no beauty in a Galilean carpenter despite his good works (53:1-2). Despised by his own people, the Messiah was a Sufferer, not a Conqueror (53:3).

b.   52:13-15 – This Servant, like Israel in exile, like the ancient Job, will be humiliated before being exalted for the salvation of the nations who have not even heard of him (Romans 15:21; Philippians 2:6-11).

c.   53:1-2 – Why was this suffering necessary? First, God does not play to appearances in order to win. Because someone’s appearance is one of the first things people see, they will not immediately approve of this servant. (cf. 1 Samuel 16:7: ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart”; Luke 16:15: ¹⁵ He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”). The Gospels never describe Jesus’ physical features, but they do tell us that he considered a right attitude of the heart much more important than image (Mark 12:38-44).

d.   53:2 – He will sprinkle/startle the nations. Sprinkle is the usual sense of this word, as in the sprinkling of the blood of atonement (Ezekiel 36:25-27: ²⁵ I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. ²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.), and it will be startling to the nations.

e.   53:3: Second, this suffering is necessary to prove the Servant’s faithfulness. The Servant is also a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Isaiah makes it clear that anyone who is faithful to God must know how to face persecution for the sake of righteousness (20:2-3; 50:5-6; 51:7), and on this day of prayer for the Persecuted Church, we remember this. But the Messiah’s suffering goes beyond this – John 1:11.

f.    APPLICATION: Appearances are deceiving. Let’s not look at someone’s cash or clothing, their assets or bling, but watch their commitment and compassion. Looking for authenticity? Watch commitment and compassion.

2.   HE IS THE SERVANT WHO DIED FOR OUR SALVATION (Isaiah 53:4-9)

a.   Overview: The Servant’s affliction seems to be a mark of God’s displeasure, but the great irony is that his suffering is actually for us, that we might be healed by His wounds (53:4-6). He remains humble in life and death. Though innocent, he dies “for the transgression of my people” (53:7-9).

b.   53:4-9: Third, the real reason why the Servant’s suffering is necessary: God’s servant is not suffering only for righteousness, but also for the sins that all of us have committed. Because of these sins, the Sufferer, though innocent himself, is put to death (53:7-9). He dies “for my people” (53:8).

c.   The Reason the Servant died: To heal us – 53:5.

d.   53:5 – By his stripes we are healed – Some take this verse to mean that there is physical healing in the Atonement, that the Christian can claim victory over sickness by faith. This interpretation is supported by Matthew 8:17 which applies this verse to the healing ministry of Jesus. The problem is that the context of Isaiah 53 is clearly speaking of inner healing, healing of the spirit. This word for healing, rapha, is used by Jeremiah of forgiveness and inner renewal (Jeremiah 17:9, 14: ¹⁴ Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.; 51:9). Rather than build a theology of healing on a questionable interpretation of this verse, it is better to keep the focus where Isaiah does clearly – on the spiritual health Jesus died to restore.

e.   APPLICATION: In Christ we are truly healed eternally. Our bodies will weaken and die, but we will awake to eternal life. Then our transformed bodies too will share in the fullness of all Jesus has won for us.

f.    Prophecy fulfilled minutely – 53:9

                i.    Died with criminals: Matthew 27:38: ³⁸ Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

              ii.    Buried with the rich: Matthew 27:57-60: ⁵⁷ As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸ Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. ⁵⁹ Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

            iii.    And in verse 8, the verse is difficult to translate. “By oppression and judgment he was taken away” may be also rendered, “By arrest and sentencing” (Matthew 26:47-56: twice Jesus says that his arrest was to fulfill prophecy: ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” ⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”).

g.   APPLICATION: The Bible is trustworthy. It was inspired by the same God who watches over you. If it is so accurate and concerned about every minute detail of prophecy, then why do you question whether that same God is not concerned for every detail of your life? He is. He watches over you and takes care of you. Trust him with everything.

3.   HE IS THE SERVANT WHO AROSE FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION (Isaiah 53:10-12)

a.   Overview: It was God’s intent to crush Him, for the Messiah is a guilt offering, a substitute paying the price of our sins (53:10). Yet death is not the end. The light of life awaits the Servant beyond the grave. He not only rises, but is satisfied that his suffering was not in vain, for by it He “will justify many” (53:11). Vibrant, the Servant is raised to new life and glory. In submitting to God’s will, “he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (53:12).

b.   ILLUSTRATION: It was this section of Scripture that led to the salvation of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39).

c.   Meaning of Jesus’ death: The theologians since the Apostles struggled to explain exactly why Jesus had to die. This passage in Isaiah gives perhaps Scripture’s clearest single explanation. Why did they struggle? Probably because they had become so anti-Semitic, so anti-Jewish. The answer comes from the Jewish sacrificial system. Jesus died as a guilt offering. He was a sacrifice who took our sin upon Himself and gave His life to pay for it in full.

d.   Sin offering and Guilt offering: This sacrifice brings peace and justify many people (53:5, 11-12). The idea of something without sin dying to atone for the sins of someone who is guilty is embedded in the sin and guilt offering regulations in Leviticus 1:4; 5:15 & Paul Romans 3:21-24.

                i.    Sin Offering: (Non-sweet) Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30; 12:6-8; 14:12-14 - Christ our Substitute for Sin; Hands on the head of victim

              ii.    Guilt Offering: (Non-sweet) Leviticus 5:14-6:7; 7:1-6; 14:12-18 - Christ our Restorer at six-fifths value. (He gives above and beyond).

e.   From these verses develops our theology of the Penal Substitutionary Atonement (Isaiah 53:5-6, 8, 10-12).

                i.    What is the Atonement? It is the work Christ accomplished in his life, death, and resurrection to procure our salvation for us.

              ii.    Was the Atonement necessary? It was not necessary for God to save anyone at all. Angels were not spared (2 Peter 2:4). In perfect justice he could have left us to await judgment. But in his love, he decided to offer atonement to sinful human beings through his Son.

            iii.    What made the Atonement necessary? Christ came to earth and died for our sins because of two important characteristics of God: his love and his justice (John 3:16; Romans 3:25). Since his pure character could not accept us in our sinful state into a relationship with himself, God’s love and justice required him to find a way that the penalty of sin due us be paid, a payment that could bear God’s wrath, that would be propitious, or favorably disposed toward us, to “prove God’s righteousness” (Rom 3:26). Both love and justice are equally important. Without love, God would not have redeemed us. Without justice, God would have compromised his righteous character by not destroying sin and those who commit it.

             iv.    Was there any other way? No. It was not possible for Jesus himself to avoid the ‘cup of suffering’ (Matthew 26:39) if he was going to accomplish the work for which the Father had sent him and if people would be redeemed for God, it was necessary that he die on the cross (Luke 24:25-26). The Servant was the only one effectual sacrifice (Hebrews 2:17) because it was impossible for any other blood to be sufficient (Hebrews 10:4). A better one was required, only that of the divine-human Servant (Hebrews 9:23, 25-26).

               v.    How did the Atonement work? First, if Jesus had only died for us for the forgiveness of our sins, we would be in the same spot as Adam and Eve, with our guilt removed but having to live sinlessly from that point forward. Instead, Christ lived a perfect life of perfect obedience without blemish before his Father in order also to earn righteousness for us (Matthew 3:15; Philippians 3:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 5:19). Second, Jesus had to suffer for us.

1.   He suffered his whole life in a fallen world (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 5:8; 12:3-4; John 11:35; Isaiah 53:3).

2.   He suffered on the cross (Matthew 26:38)

a.   in physical pain and death (Mark 15:24; John 19:31-33),

b.   in bearing sin (Isaiah 53:6, 12; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24),

c.   in abandonment (Mark 14:34; Matthew 26:56; John 1:11; 13:1; Matthew 27:46),

d.   In bearing the wrath of God (Romans 3:25-26; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Isaiah 53:11). Making propitiation is  a sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God, making God propitious (or favorable) toward us.

             vi.    Penal Substitutionary Atonement – (Genesis 22) Penal: Christ bore the penalty of death. Substitutionary: He was a substitute for us when he died. It was fair for him suffer so, because he willingly received it because he loved us.

f.    Jewish people also have a hard time understanding how the Messiah, God’s Servant, could suffer and at the same time be Messiah. The Servant’s suffering was a unique event in history. Its uniqueness was that He was the Son of God and his death was a Substitutionary sacrifice which won us salvation. One day, Zechariah says, they will mourn for the one they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10-11)

g.   APPLICATION: At the same time, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah serves as an example to believers. He reminds us that we too are to seek the welfare of others, even at the cost of personal suffering.

h.   Resurrection & Reward: For this suffering work, the Servant is repaid. He who was in the tomb will see his days prolonged (53:10b; like Hezekiah, 38:1-20). Isaiah has already pointed to resurrection (25:8; 26:19). Besides resurrection, the Servant also receives great power and authority (Matthew 28:18:¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me). It was the will of the Lord both for him to suffer and to go in triumph like a conquering king (53:12; Ephesians 4:7-10: But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” ⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)).

i.    PROPHECY: The evidence that Jesus of Nazareth is the Servant-Messiah described in Isaiah is compelling, as many minute details in this passage are seen in the Messiah’s life and death. The Apostles recognized and taught this passage as prophecy being fulfilled in their time (Matthew 8:17; Luke 22:37: ³⁷ It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”; John 12:38; Acts 3:26; Romans 15:21; 1 Peter 2:22-25).

Invitation: He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. The Servant has interceded, gone before and between you and the Lord to make a way for you. Would you allow him to bear your sin today?

Pray for the Persecuted Church today

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

IRAN

Christians in Iran are reporting that Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani has been sentenced to death for what is called a “thought crime.” Pastor Youcef, a leader in the Full Gospel “Church of Iran” network, is one of several members of his church who have been imprisoned. The Iranian government has also threatened his wife with life imprisonment and has threatened to take away their two children, who are currently being cared for by relatives. Pastor Youcef was arrested in October 2009 after protesting a decision by the government requiring that his son study the Quran.

UPDATE 11/15/2010: TEHRAN, IRAN (ANS) -- An Iranian court has passed down a death sentence on a Christian pastor, who was found guilty of so-called "thought crimes."

Pastor Youcef

According to www.presenttruthmn.com, the official verdict has now been delivered in writing to Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, stating that he is to be hung for the crime of apostasy.
Spokesman Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries, says: "There are 20 days to appeal the verdict, and Youcef's attorney is now beginning the process of the appeal."
The prayer burdens surrounding this development are many, DeMars said in an e-mail to ASSIST News Service.
"Please pray for Youcef, that God would grant him peace and strength in this hour, that God would move on his behalf, and that he would be delivered! Pray also for his wife and children; this is extremely difficult for them.
"We are trusting our great Lord to give her the peace that comes only from the True Comforter. Pray that the church in Iran would stand strong, that their faith would not be shaken, but that their eyes would remain fixed on Christ. Pray also for the local officials in charge of this case in Iran, that their hearts would be changed, and that they would experience salvation in Jesus Christ," he said.

CHINA

On Sept. 21, nearly 200 police officers demolished a prayer room at Taishan Christian Church in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, citing a “building code violation,” according to China Aid Association. On Sept. 22, following the most recent demolition, police raided the Chen Pengyi Church in Wancheng district, Henan province, where several believers were gathered for a Bible study and training session. Police detained an American pastor and a Russian pastor as well as more than 30 attendees. One believer’s car was also confiscated.

On Oct. 20, police detained Dr. Fan Yafeng, a prominent Christian lawyer and leader of the Chinese Christian Legal Defense Association. A group of police reportedly entered Dr. Fan’s home and prevented him from leaving. When they blocked his exit, Dr. Fan struggled through the doorway. Police then shoved him and assaulted him, causing him to sprain his ankle. Police immediately took Dr. Fan to Shuangyushu Police Station in Beijing, and at last report he is still being held there. Authorities have provided little information about Dr. Fan, and his wife is very concerned as she struggles to negotiate with authorities.

TURKMENISTAN

Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev, who was sentenced to four years in prison on Oct. 21, will likely be sent to the Seydi labor camp. Pastor Nurliev’s sentence includes forced treatment for an alleged drug addiction, and the prison has been accused of using psychotropic (mind-altering) drugs on prisoners. Those close to Pastor Nurliev are very concerned for his health. Christians in Turkmenistan said Pastor Nurliev, a diabetic, looked “very, very pale and thin” at his trial. They said the prosecution’s witnesses were not credible and that “it was clear the whole thing was set up.” At the trial, Pastor Nurliev was surrounded by secret police, who prevented his wife from approaching him.

IRAQ

On Oct. 31, Islamic extremists attacked worshipers at the Syrian Catholic Church of Baghdad, killing 59 Christians and severely injuring more than 80 others. Several gunmen armed with automatic weapons and explosives entered the church during a worship service and opened fire on the worshipers. Two priests were among those killed in the attack. “[This church was attacked] because they are very active, especially among the youth and community,” VOM contacts said. “This church works closely with the United Bible Society and VOM by distributing Bibles and Action Packs in Iraq. This is the second time this church has been targeted; in 2004 it was hit with a car bomb.” A militant organization called the Islamic State of Iraq, which has links to al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, claimed responsibility for the attack.

PAKISTAN

On Nov. 8, Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by a judge in Pakistan. The judge also fined Asia $1,190 (U.S.) and told her she had seven days to appeal the decision. Asia was arrested by police on June 19, 2009, and charged with blasphemy after she engaged in a religious discussion with co-workers. Many of the local women, including Asia, worked on the farm of Muslim landowner Muhammad Idrees. During their work, many of the Muslim women had pressured Asia to renounce Christianity and accept Islam. Her family is one of only three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500 families.

On June 19, there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith. The Muslim women told Asia about Islam, and Asia responded by telling the Muslim women that Christ died on the cross for our sins. She told them Jesus is alive. “Our Christ is the true prophet of God,” she reportedly told them.

Upon hearing this response, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia. Then some men took her and locked her in a room. They announced from mosque loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and being paraded through the village on a donkey.

Local Christians informed the police, who took Asia into custody before the Muslims could carry out their plan. She is currently being held at the police station in Nankana city. Christians there had urged the police not to file blasphemy charges, but police claimed that they had to go forward because of pressure from local Muslim leaders.

Source: http://persecution.org