Vicious stabbing attack targets truth-telling Orthodox bishop who has warned of coming persecution of Christians

47 thoughts on “Vicious stabbing attack targets truth-telling Orthodox bishop who has warned of coming persecution of Christians”

1. Thanks for this report Leo. I’m glad the congregation and community came out in support of Bishop. I will pray for him because he’s right. Many in these comments could become martyrs.

   Each of us needs to decide TODAY whom it is that we serve– Christ alone? Or worldly gods?

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2. To ohengineer – This article by Leo was about Bishop Emmanuel and what I read as a message of sacrificial love. I assume he loves the members of his church in the same way that a parent would love their children. So we are really also talking about how pastors would protect their congregations, whom they love. The pastors would have to carry weapons to protect those who attend their services. So returning to the Bishop, who certainly understands what it is like to be in danger, even more so than we do in the US – do you believe that he would tell his followers to arm themselves, or that he would arm himself to protect the members of his church? I don’t get that impression because he is not naive about danger, but a number of people here read this article and conclude that this is what must be done. What would the bishop say about this, in your opinion? If he stands for a pacifist approach, would you disagree with him? Do you believe those who follow Christ have an affirmative obligation to be prepared to defend – themselves? others? The question is for anyone who would like to offer an opinion.

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   1. Anyone who doesn’t believe in protect children, women and elderly is not a true Christian.  I don’t care what denomination they claim to be.

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      1. LA, what you write is non-responsive to my post. You simply repeat yourself over and over in multiple places, without any development of thought, logic, or theology. You are misguided in the extreme. Salvation is defined by obedient faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, because He shed His blood on the cross to pay for our sins. The opinions expressed here by a number of individuals who seem to be arming themselves for shoot-outs, sadly, look like those of a heretical cult. They do not reflect the historic position of genuine believers, and no Scriptural support is offered. Yours is an imaginary world, where an attempt at self-defense is called heroic, when it is nothing more than the instinct of self-preservation shrouded in self-serving language. You imagine a scenario that you control, because you wield a weapon, and you assume that what you do bears no risk of escalation. That is a fantasy, LA. You are preparing yourself to kill, that’s all. As far as I can tell, there is not a single person writing in response to Leo’s post who is able to respond, directly and without evasion, to the questions that I have posed above.  I will engage when someone does that, otherwise, I think I’ve landed in the wrong conversation. I don’t want to have anything to do with this.

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      2. Response comment Apr 18, 4:21pm: No one I know can reason w/ a liberal because they lack critical thinking skills and can’t carry on intelligent conversations except with other liberals. The anti gun folks like you, best find liberal sites to rant, there are many of them. Like someone on this post said”if you have loved ones and are not willing to defend them, your life is wasted.” Everyone I know incl an M.D. (family practice) , a retired engineer, optometrist, aircraft mech, blue collar folks and several women working shifts at hospital, conceal carry. Logic is always lacking in the liberal mind. Pray for wisdom and have a good day.

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   2. JPKerber–To answer your question about whether this bishop could take up arms–specifically to kill–to protect members of his church—the answer is no. As an Orthodox priest, he is forbidden to kill. He would instantly lose his role as priest as he would have bloodied hands, rendering him unclean. Remember King David had warred against the enemies of Israel to consolidate the kingdom, so he was “a man of blood”.1 Chronicles 22:8-10. Therefore he was not allowed by God to build His temple. That task was given to Solomon, who was a man of peace. A priest cannot be a bloody man and serve at the altar after having killed someone. That includes those who had served in the military previously and had killed another—he cannot be ordained a priest.

      As you see in the film clip in Leo’s article, this bishop admonished his flock to expect martyrdom. But neither did he enjoin them to commit suicide by utter passivity in the face of violence against them. Nor did he encourage them to violence against persecutors. Eastern Christianity has a very long history of martyrdom under Islamic invasions and communist persecution. There were those who were martyred defending the Christian faith and their nations as soldiers, and others who had to accept martyrdom without any recourse to arms. Those who do take up arms and kill must repent, confess their sin as bloodied men and they cannot take communion for some time (sometimes lasting years).

      In Orthodoxy and Christianity generally, offensive warfare is forbidden but defensive warfare (under certain conditions) is allowed. Defensive warfare is sometimes necessary because we live in a fallen world where evil abounds, and violence comes very suddenly upon its victims. There’s no time to reason with or even pray for the assailant (as in this case), but to ward off the blows or to prevent someone weaker from becoming a victim. Defense is one thing, but revenge is not allowed. To engage in violence over personal offences is not allowed as we are to practice forbearance and love.

      This Orthodox bishop here is simply and specifically teaching his flock to expect persecution and martyrdom by their REFUSING TO DENY THE FAITH. He is not calling them to suicide or to war against our enemies. He is calling his flock to something much higher than warfare against a threat, but WARFARE AGAINST ONE’S OWN FEARS AND TEMPTATION TO FAITHLESSNESS.

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      1. Thank you for this very thoughtful and biblically accurate comment Kayjae.

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      2. Thank you, kkayjae, for fearlessly sharing the holy oracles of Christ’s Spirit of Truth.

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      3. Dear Kkayjae, thank you for that very articulate response, and for the background on the history and practice of Orthodox Christianity. Yes, I am familiar with the roles of David and Solomon. I have great respect for many of the Orthodox clergy who have spoken up in defense of the faith, especially over these past few years. I keep seeing Orthodox priests and bishops standing up for what is right. Sadly, I’m not even sure what “Christianity generally” is anymore. But your explanation is good for continuing to give this issue serious consideration from both sides. Thank you for responding to my post.   

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      4. Kkayjae, I wanted to say something substantive in response to your post, and not merely thank you.  First, I am in no position to comment on the internal belief structure or practices of Orthodox Christianity.  What I can do is relate your comments to my own position, which is someone who stands on what the Bible says, without any denominational interface.  I am also not writing this response to argue, to have the last word, or to insist on being right about my opinions.  In this instance, I would welcome an argument that would convince me that I am wrong. 

         The term “defending the innocent” has been used by many who have written comments here, and it is a compelling concept.  But clarity is important, and “defending the innocent” can include giving one’s life without harming the assailant.  So I will refer to what is really at issue here – killing another to protect one’s own life or the life of someone else.  And not only killing, but all of the planning that would make the act premeditated.  One might not have time to pray while being shot, but we certainly have time, now, to discipline our intentions.  I am also not clear if “innocent,” as used in this discussion generally, means children, or if it means the defenseless such as children and the elderly, or if it means anyone who is being attacked without provocation.  I can easily see where those defending innocent children would argue that they must defend themselves so they remain alive to defend the children.  In this paragraph I am commenting on what others have written, and not saying that you have written this way.  Tragically, although you express reticence to kill, I do not detect that same reservation on the part of others, which concerns me greatly.   

         After giving careful consideration to your post, I have tried to identify the most important concerns I have – again, not as a critique of Orthodox theology, but from the perspective of biblical teaching and how I would respond.  The first concern I have is that the Bible never refers to the refusal to defend one’s life as “suicide.”  Both in theology and, notably, in our system of common law, the distinction is always maintained – refusal to kill another to protect one’s life is never referred to or categorized as a method of killing oneself.  That characterization would be rejected in any court of law.  More importantly, Paul, in Philippians 1:21-24 openly refers to his desire to be with the Lord.  It is not a sinful tendency, but is the natural state of the Christian.  Remaining on earth is a matter of finishing our service until the Lord calls us.  We are not to love this world, we are to be willing to forfeit our lives (John 12:25), and I am unable to find any passage that suggests that we only turn the other cheek until our lives are at stake.  In other words, the Bible never takes a tone of condemnation toward those who are willing to forfeit their lives.  So I will disagree with that characterization, which makes the refusal to take up arms sound like a sin.

         From what you have described, Orthodox theology recognizes some extremely important principles.  Above all, it seems to be saying that killing is actually wrong.  I do not mean to put words in your mouth, I am describing my understanding of what you have written.  I assume that communion is withheld because of some form of moral taint that must be dealt with through the passage of time, and a repentant attitude.  I would rather see that than a system of theology that simply calls participation in war or killing in self defense heroic.  If I understand what you have written, it would be like saying that this type of killing is a necessary evil in this world.  It does not sound as though Orthodoxy treats any form of killing as an heroic act of faith.  My response, from a strictly biblical perspective, is twofold:  First, we are to conquer evil with good (not acts of like-kind) (Romans 12:21).  Second, we are not given  authorization to engage in “necessary evil.”  Although it was permitted in the Old Testament, that concept does not appear in the New Testament.  In the New Testament, whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23) and we are to keep ourselves from sin.  That does leave us in a precarious position, one that makes no earthly sense.  That is why we need to denounce human wisdom, and embrace faith. 

         In saying all this, I am actually writing against my own interests.  It would be much easier to tell myself that I am permitted to buy weapons and learn to use them, so that if the innocent were threatened I could defend them.  For myself?  No.  I, with Paul, see death as an opportunity to be with the Lord, so I am not trying to avoid it, although I am certainly not suicidal.  It takes all the faith I have to trust God, knowing that innocent lives might be lost.  Our God, who could raise children of Abraham from stones, did allow Herod to kill innocent children.  That is a fact, and believers are obliged to come to terms with its implications.  I get the sense that many here would try to override what happened in Bethlehem by killing Herod’s messengers of death with their guns.  We have not been given that authority, even though it seems like the right thing to do.  The temptation to “save the innocent” reminds me of the logic presented to Christ, by Satan, when He was tempted in the desert.  Christ could have governed this world without dying.  That was not what His Father required.  As Christians, we live by obedience, even when it goes against our strongest instincts.    

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      5. JPKerber–I don’t think we’re far apart on this issue. First, let me clarify what I meant by a “suicide” response to threats in my first comment. I mean a fatalistic inertia or a despairing stoicism or a Masada-like solution such as some cults advocate when confronted with threats.

         Christianity is non-violent in its teachings which makes it unique among religions in this world. We must seek peaceful mean to resolve threats; war and violence is never regarded as anything but manifestations of sin. That’s what Orthodoxy teaches. The ancient pagan world regarded violence, armed aggression and merciless first-strikes-shows-of-strength as heroic, the highest model of behavior. Protection of self and nation was the highest good. Hence all the glorification of war. So non-violent Christianity was radically different from this and seen as inexcusable weakness by the pagan world. Yet it and it alone is the path to peace.

         Even self-defense has its limitation; we cannot indulge in revenge or any kind of payback; we should turn the other cheek, especially when our faith attacked by unbelievers. If we suffer for our faith, we follow the example of Christ who suffered for us. But …we cannot turn other people’s cheeks for them—when someone is threatened with evil assault, we should be ready to defend him from evil. That may involve killing the assailant as a last resort. Our own lives may be sacrificed to defend another. Again, killing the evil doer is NOT viewed as heroic in Orthodoxy, but a consequence of our living in a sinful world that makes us dirty.

         You brought up the example of Herod killing the innocents. I can give a modern example of a wrong-headed approach to confronting evil. There had been many assassination attempts to kill Hitler, but none of them succeeded. The last one attempted in June 1944 was plotted and carried out by sincere Catholics and Lutherans. Count Stauffenberg, who planted the bomb to kill Hitler, was a devout Catholic. They all knew the risks and they were all willing to martyr themselves in the attempt. The plot failed and thousands were executed for their involvement, including Dietrich Bonhoeffer who had some vague connection to this plot (probably very minor). The reason for the plot was to stop Hitler from destroying Germany. To save Germany, the military had to be set free of their oath of personal allegiance to Hitler. Hence the need to kill him, as the plotters reasoned. Why did God allow Hitler to survive so many attempts on his life, even the one where Christians plotted against him? How many lives could have been saved had Hitler died on that day and not a year later? Yet, God did not bless this plot to murder that evil man. It’s something to ponder–why evil was given such full rein in this case to go on to its very bitter end, wreaking its toll.

         I can give a modern example of non-violent path to peace. JFK, a devout Catholic, repeatedly resisted his Pentagon and civilian advisors’ counsel to attack the Soviet Union and all the eastern Warsaw Pact countries with nukes in a first strike attack. Their reasoning was that the Soviet Union would be someday at nuclear parity with the US and it would be best to exterminate them first. They tried numerous times to push him into war over Cuba, SE Asia, Berlin, etc. yet over time he learned to be skeptical of and finally appalled by their murderous advice. Read his speeches. He took the road of non-violence and peace, which has lasted to this day. He had been the proverbial Cold Warrior before his administration, but soon he came to see that his advisors were not wise men. Many now see his famous American University speech of June 1963 proposing the path to peace as being one of the greatest speeches of our times and probably the one that got him eliminated by the war-lovers who thought him a weak “appeaser”. It seems to me he was a martyr in the Christian sense, too—“blessed be the peace makers”.

         There is today a very strong apocalyptic atmosphere which seems to cause great fear rather than great faith. Too many people looking for the arrival of the Anti-Christ and the Tribulation and not looking past that towards Christ and his heavenly Kingdom. Not enough faith to live for, much less to die for. Fear is in the air now and there will never be enough arms and dried foods collected to mollify it. In Orthodoxy, the truly heroic action is overcoming one’s fear of death and pain to acquire the same patience and forbearance that Christ displayed as he suffered on his journey to the cross. We are to acquire Christ’s strength of character—THE STRENGTH TO LOVE–despite the evil breathing hate at us. We are not to return evil for evil. That is what the Church teaches.

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      6. Yes, Kkayjae, I believe we are approaching this issue in the same spirit.  I very much appreciated your examples of the fight against Hitler, and the actions taken at Masada, and I agree with your assessment in both instances. (I am responding here because the reply button is missing from your most recent post – perhaps too many levels of nesting on this forum.)

         What I believe, as a matter of conscience, cannot be turned into a rule of behavior to be imposed on anyone else.  When it comes to difficult and personal decisions, each of us must act on what we believe to be the demands of sacrificial love, guided by conscience, after seeking the Lord in prayer. 

         I am not one to believe in extraordinary spiritual manifestations.  I do, however, believe that Matthew 18:10 means what it says – children have angels in heaven who continually see the face of the Father.  I also believe that 2 Kings 6:15-17 is a window into the reality of the spiritual realm.  I would not stand by, passively, and watch as someone I love was subjected to harm.  I fully expect, that unless the Lord determined otherwise, I would forfeit my life in their defense.  I can do that with or without a weapon in my hand.  I can choose to rely on a weapon to enhance my chance of deterring an assailant.  But it is also possible that I would be overpowered even if I had weapons and had trained in their use.  So there are no guarantees.  It is my choice, instead, to trust the Lord to honor my willingness to sacrifice my life by employing the forces at His command, that are far more powerful than any weapon I could wield.  I am not describing a naïve hope.  I believe intervention by God in the physical world, in response to faith, is real, even though we might not see it with our senses.  If I take up arms, unless I believe it is an act of faith and not a necessary moral compromise, then I forfeit the intervention of God.  This has been the reality of my life – the intervention of God in quiet but miraculous ways, in response to my unwillingness to do what my conscience will not allow. 

         Acts 10:9-16 also comes to mind.  If I am being overly zealous, then He will show me that what I consider to be impermissible is, in fact, acceptable.  Like Bishop Emmanuel, I believe Christians face the possibility of martyrdom in our lifetimes – although I am not extrapolating from the events in Australia and saying that we have arrived at that point.  That, to me, would seem to be hysteria.  Rather, I feel it in my spirit, as something that cannot yet be seen, but must now be considered a reality for Christians in all countries of the world.  That is what motivated my initial post.

         I think of Ephesians 6:12-20 – again, in a sober-minded manner, not in the sense of fighting demons on every corner.  In that verse, the full, or complete, armor of God does not include physical weapons.  This is not an argument against your position.  I am simply explaining the basis for my own, in response to those who think I have a hard heart.    

         The most meaningful thing I can say to someone who writes as carefully as you do is that your words have not fallen on deaf ears.  You reach the conclusions you do with intellectual integrity, and a serious commitment to the Christian faith, and that speaks volumes to me, in defense of your position.

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      7. JPKerber:

         Truly I tell you”, Jesus said, “whatever you bind [mortally accursed] on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [freely bless] on earth will have been loosed in heaven.  Matthew 18:18

         If anyone wants to harm the two witnesses within Christ’s wise-virgin Bride, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours [binds] their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them [the wise virgins within Christ’s Bride] must be killed. Revelation 11:5

         Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume [mortally bind] you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.  2 Kings 1:10

         Like Elijah, as a daily cross-bearing follower / martyr of the LORD Jesus, I own no ’sword’ or weapon to idolatrously depend upon to save the precious lives of my beloved family. With child-like faith I trust in the omnipotent power of my Good Shepherd’s double-edged sWord that is able to conquer [mortally bind] the Devil’s ravenous pack of ‘sheep-loving’ wolves.

         While camping in the Yukon’s remote, uninhabited  wilderness, two large grizzly bears approached our tent camp site. Without firearms to rely on for our protection, I commanded [bound] them, in the name of the LORD Jesus, to depart from us. Immediately they spun around snarling, and fled into the brush. 

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      8. JPKerber—Thank you for your kind words. The discussion with you was very worthwhile.

         Truly the weapons of our warfare are not carnal! I find nothing in your last comment that I can disagree with. Yes, we must follow our conscience, provided our conscience is formed by Christ and buttressed with prayer.

         I want to recommend the example of an Austrian Catholic saint, Franz Jagerstaetter, who was canonized during the reign of Benedict XVI. There is a German docudrama (1960) made of his resistance to being forced to kill as a soldier in the Wehrmacht during WWII. In fact, of his complete lack of cooperation with an evil regime. The dialogue (in German with English subtitles) is FULL of his Biblical arguments against the authorities (both state and Church) that wanted him to conform. He steadfastedly refused (the dialogue is quite profound, based on his letters and writings in prison) and he was executed for his Christian resistance. His family thereafter were much ostracized for years afterwards. It would be well worth your time and would likely resonate with you very much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDvW42iSeVs

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      9. JPKerber—Thank you for your kind words. The discussion with you was very worthwhile.
         Truly the weapons of our warfare are not carnal! I find nothing in your last comment that I can disagree with. Yes, we must follow our conscience, provided our conscience is formed by Christ and buttressed with prayer.
         I want to recommend the example of an Austrian Catholic saint, Franz Jagerstaetter, who was canonized during the reign of Benedict XVI. There is a German docudrama (1960) made of his resistance to being forced to kill as a soldier in the Wehrmacht during WWII. In fact, of his complete lack of cooperation with an evil regime. The dialogue (in German with English subtitles) is FULL of his Biblical arguments against the authorities (both state and Church) that wanted him to conform. He steadfastedly refused (the dialogue is quite profound, based on his letters and writings in prison) and he was executed for his Christian resistance. His family thereafter were much ostracized for years afterwards. It would be well worth your time and would likely resonate with you very much.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDvW42iSeVs

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      10. Sorry Kayjae I did not realize until now you had a link in this comment, which requires me to approve. This does look like a worthwhile film.

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      11. Dear Kkayjae,

          Again, I’m posting here because it is the closest live Reply button I can find. I am unable to make the star for “likes” work, otherwise I would have clicked on it for your posts, and for John Shaphat.

          This conversation has been a blessing to me in a very real way. Thank you so much for your thoughts and for the link (which is working, Leo). I am anxious to watch the film. 

          “The Lord, in disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier.” – Tertullian

          May the Lord bless you in these difficult times, and may we meet to celebrate our eternal victory over evil, when we arrive at our true home, to be with our our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and our loving Father, in the eternal joy of the Spirit.

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3. There will be a national and international Sunday Law to enforce Sunday worship. That will be part of the Mark of the Beast. Saturday 4th Commandment will be the Seal of God!

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   1. People need to start family church or get with small groups in houses or other facilities for Bible study, also online sermons @ sermon audio.com. Some I know are using zoom, but that may later (if not now) be monitored for any zoom activities.

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4. Matthew 7:21-23

   21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

   Those who say “Lord, Lord” all believe in and serve the Lord. They have always made sacrifices, expended themselves, and worked hard for the Lord, and they have spread the gospel and built churches. Have they not followed the Lord’s will by doing all this? When the Lord Jesus returns, why will they not be commended by the Lord, and instead be condemned by Him as evildoers

   I condemn what happened but most churches Including Catholicism/Orthodoxism/and sadly most Protestantism do not preach the full Truth therefore they are not of God. I have a video where that priest condemned the Truth and God’s Commandment keeping Church. All so called churches will unite globally with the state to persecute the true followers of Jesus. So called Christians persecute to death Christians like in dark ages. Maby people including Mr. Hohmann are very off track of who is and will be The Beast, the image and Mark of the Beast. One day priests and preachers will preach against the remnant commandment keeping Church who keep the 10 Commandments. But many forget that at the center of God’s Law is that Sabbath (Saturday). That never was changed by God but by man to Sunday (the day of the Sun a pagan day. God and Jesus never changed their Law never will!! Almost all Christianity will be deceived sadly. And the old real Antichrist is been around for more than 1600 years and now is uniting all churches and all pagan religions with churches under the Christians noses . The end of the world will revolve around the 4^th Commandment  which never was Sunday but Saturday from the Creation of the world. Many false and deadly doctrines we’re introduced in Christianity and most churches for almost 2000 years. We need deep study of the Bible with prayer and Repentance. I’m not part of any religious organization but I read from my almost 1600 books on religious history and prophecy. Also USA is in Rev.13. the second beast that comes out of the ground and here now is forming the image of the Papacy which is fallen protestantism. Is on its way of union of church/state. Almost all the Christianity will be left in total darkness but the true children of God will come out (Rev. 18).It will be a massive global union of Catholic/Protestant/Pagan religions with the governments of the world on total error. Poor people they think that their priests or pastors speak the true Bible truth when is contrary and they lead them to perdition. Holy Spirit is being withdrawn from fallen Churches. Christianity is called Babylon now in Rev.18. and 14. And 2nd Comming will be one time not people disappearing and wicked remain living on the planet and another Comming after 7 years. One time Comming when Jesus will overturn the planet and destroy completely the wicked and sin in fire at the 7 last plagues. World after that remains desolate. Not 1000 years of peace ike they preach. May God have mercy on our souls!! God bless

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   1. There was a change of the 4th Commandment Saturday to Sunday around 3rd century AD in the Sunday Law of Constantine. Can be researched

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   2. At the end of the tribulation, Christ returns to rule. The world will not left desolate. You will find your position no where in scripture. It is entirely made up. After the Millennial Kingdom, Satan will be turned loose again for a short time, and those he cons into following him will be destroyed when they surround the Holy city. Everyone will then be removed, and this universe will pass with with fervent heat and great noise, and then a new heaven and earth are created which will last for eternity.

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      1. Sir the 1000 years millennium will not be on earth will be in heaven. Jesus when He comes does not step his holy feet on this Earth. He redirects His saints from graves changes the living saints at that time to immortality and they all go to Heaven. When he comes He will overturn the planet,and will be desolate with fire. The 7 last plagues of Revelation 16:1-17.They will devastate this Earth. And in verse 18 specify that will be a global earthquake biggest in human history followed by the second coming in collosal power.Rev. 1:7. There will be no millennial kingdom of peace. At the 3rd Comming He will ressurect the wicked at the resurrection of damnation and with Satan will try to overtake the New Jerusalem that will come from Heaven with the saints after the 1000 years, and an the wicked and Satan with his angels are destroyed in a lake of fire which will go out. There will be no eternal hell. And after God will make the New Earth. Please consider this because majority of Christians will be tremendously disappointed when your position and waiting will not happen the way you believe and because of that the full fury of persecution will be unleash on us Sabbatkeepers. Please I ask you to understand after the 7 last plagues Christ is not Comming to rule on earth for 1000 years. There are quite a few chapters in old and new testament. Ex: Isa. 2:9-21,13:6-13,24:1-6, Jeremiah 4:23-25,Isa. 24:17-23. Paul is clear in 1Thessalonians 4:15-17. Please consider these verses. Also 1Chorintians 15:51-55, Daniel 12:1,Isa. 26:20,30:30,Joel 1:15-18,Amos 5:18. Day of the Lord is one literal year in prophecy in which the 7 last plagues will be poured out. Rev. 16:1-17.The earthquake in verse 18 will be global,Universal. Consider verses 19-21. Nothing on this Earth will be left standing. Followed by Jesus Second coming in the Earth’s very proximity. Even the Earth’s atmosphere will disappear and roll away from His Face, and he will overturn also all the mountains. Many millions of Christians will be forever disappointed when will this happen and not the way they believed. But at that time after Jesus stops the mediation,all the cases of all the people on earth will be decided for ever and ever. There are other verses which shows what I commented previously. Please please consider my comment and this possibility that this will be right. Also regarding the 10 Commandments, James 2:10.The great mistake the Christianity will make will be at the 4th Commandment. God will test the world and Christianity on this point and majority will fail. 1John 2:3-4 very important. Because sin is the transgression of the Law of God. I’m not trying to contradict anyone or go in disputation, but the pure Truth is only believed in minority. Also consider the Vatican’s Pope the Antichrist. 666 is in the Vatican. Vati-Can means the divining serpent. Because he’s getting most of the churches on his bandwagon. God bless. I ask you from my heart in the name of Jesus to consider this as most of “Christianity” will unite together and with the state. In America will be formed in the near future Church/State tribunals, which will focus their persecution only on Sabbatkeepers. God bless. Love to read your articles in any case

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      2. Scripture says the millennial kingdom will be on earth. Nuff said.

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5. Bishop Emmanuel is from the Assyrian Christian community – his people were nearly exterminated by the Islamic Ottoman Empire at the same time as the Armenian Christian genocide ~1915. God heal and protect him. I pray some day my church’s bishops are this bold!

   a Christian layman

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6. Rachel, I mean no disrespect, but I am not looking for those who will kill others to respect my beliefs, and I do not look to the Amish for support of my position (I have nothing against the Amish, but I am also not convinced that they live by saving faith – I have read conflicting reports.) Like the Amish, C.S. Lewis is not the Bible, and although brilliant, he has written many things that are questionable from a Scriptural perspective. Do you study the Bible or only secondary sources? You do not directly answer my question about praying for your assailants while killing because you divert your eyes and focus on the children. It means nothing to say “I am protecting the innocent in the name of Jesus Christ” – that would be giving your own life. The question is, can you point your gun and say “I am killing you in the name of Jesus Christ?” And not actually whether or not you can say it, but whether you can stand on the teaching of the Bible and say it. That is the test, because everything that is not of faith is sin. So, if you claim to speak for what biblical Christians should be doing, you MUST demonstrate that killing an assailant is an act of faith based on what we are taught in the Bible, and that in committing this act, we are following the example of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am open to any argument that has support in the Word of God, so where is it?

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7. This should be a wake up call to Everyone in the ‘west’. I think there have been a series of stabbings in Australia recently. The people rioting outside sound as crazy as the ones outside Lots house demanding he bring the angels out to them, and we all know how that ended….

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8. Believing in God is not reasonable!

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9. All that he said is 100% correct. The only point I would differ with is that martyrdom is for the whole church age, as it was going on in many parts of the world and at least somewhere the whole time, albeit the locations have changed over time. Reading Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (get the updated edition if you can) shows us this.

   Sadly most of the church in the West is clueless to this and our true calling in Christ. We follow Him, and it leads to the cross. Later it leads to glory as well. The cross may be in one way or another, it may or may not include literal martyrdom, but our live is a martyrdom (meaning witness) all our lives. We die to self daily. We carry our cross daily. We WILL be persecuted for His sake. All of this is what Jesus taught, it’s all in the Bible for US. But most don’t want to hear “Carry your cross daily and follow Me.” As a witness we are more likely to be persecuted and become eligible for martyrdom. Yes, it is a privilege in fact. ”Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on” is in Revelation. We are to pick up our crosses and follow Him daily. There is a fork in the road coming and all the world, all of the church WILL face it, and there are only those two choices; Jesus or satan. It simplifies a lot of things and sorts out the wheat from the chaff when it comes to the lukewarm Laodiceans. God or self, that is the choice. (But I thought you said “Jesus or the devil”? Ah yes, but know this; that the satanic bible has as it’s main tenet; Do as thou wilt, self is on the throne. You MUST dethrone self to truly be His disciple, and if you are not a disciple, you are not a Christian, it’s both; or neither. Acts 11; 26). All the comfort zones and hiding places will be gone and it will be a time of true testing. I have already signed up my name on the roster for following Him to the cross. I read that book and imagined myself in all of those scenarios and I know He gives us the strength to go through the fiery furnace. I have been warning the church of this exact thing for over a decade. I finally recently have seen the escalation that is heading there and how it will be accomplished. The signs are surrounding us. If you claim the name of Jesus, you need to prepare your heart and stop burying your head in the sand as to what is around the corner. I follow the words of Jesus and none other.

   Ironically he was attacked while preaching about that exact thing; Christian persecution. Also the case in Iraq in 2003, see I didn’t hear that before either. It also makes me wonder about ISIS after the ‘Arab Spring’. And it also makes me wonder about a lot of snares that are being set for Christians, to lead us in a direction only to frame us a certain way, “domestic terrorists,” such as with the ‘Christian Nationalism’ thing. Folks, just be savvy, don’t be so gullible, remember the saying “fools rush in,” and don’t be one of them. Incline your heart to the Lord and He will show you the path you are to walk in.

   Yes, I also add my prayer to the preacher for healing unless the Lord calls him, and to the persecutor for salvation. 

   Blessings to you Leo!

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   1. Yes, we die to ourselves daily. I hardly hear this anymore among Christians. We will be persecuted. The Lord will give us the grace that we need to endure. Thank you.

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   2. I agree 1blandina!

      I keep encountering many so-called Christians who don’t have a clue about carrying their cross daily. They’re so consumed with having all the comfort they can find. I recently asked a Christian named Barbara if she’s prepared in keeping her lamp lit?

      Her response: “lamp, what lamp?” She is totally clueless about Matthew 25 and the 10 Virgins with their lamps being filled (and unfilled) with oil. Yet she insists she reads her Bible everyday, but she can’t quote one single scripture from memory. Barbara’s now 75 years old, been a “church Christian” all her life, and is quick to help others in getting saved. But the most alarming thing of all, her deceased father was a Freemason!

      You see what I mean? Many so-called “church Christians” abound, but are without a clue, and dare I say, without salvation too!

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      1. Majority of churches teach very little theology to include rightly dividing from Genesis to revelation. (2Tim. 2:15) Most “churchy” folks know little about Bible basics and give a testimony like: I joined xx church in 1965, got baptized in XX denomination and took communion and joined adult Bible class,etc. They may know their church liturgy and sacraments. Nothing about personal salvation or outlining each member of the Trinity on their part in salvation (reformed theology) or ever heard a reformed sermon. The KJV is real the rest are watered down versions used by most denominations. Most churches have been subverted since the 1950’s. The National council of Churches is apostate, liberal and funding these subverted versions. Contemporary hollowed out songs instead of reformation hymns in most churches today.

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10. I think I might have been misunderstood – I am one of those pacifists. I watched the Patara video, and following her advice means Christians are to go to their churches and be sure the members are armed, and pacifists are booted out. Right?

    It seems to me that those who follow this formula would be left in the ironic position of having to leave this Bishop’s church – the very model of sacrificial love. I have never heard him preach, but he did say leave in peace, right? To me, that sort of sounds like put down your weapons. Or does it mean that Christians are supposed to pray for their attackers while they are shooting them to death with their automatic rifles?  

    As Christians, we’re supposed to love this world so much that we are willing to take the lives of others in order to preserve our own, right? I think that’s from the Sermon on the Mount somewhere – it’s in the self-defense exception to the love your neighbor part.

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11. And then there is this: Florida Pastor Fatally Stabbed in ‘Unprovoked’ Attack
    Homeless suspect had been staying in victim’s church
    Article at MinistryWatch.com

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    1. J.Kerber: You obviously don’tcare about children in the congregation, anyone’s children who could be a victim. Pastors and deacons need to be informed and have armed concealed security in these churches.  Not all perps are jihadists, some are getting revenge or anger at one or more people in the congregation, or a domestic/family issue,etc. People must stand up in these times. Pacifists are wussified cowards. Go watch Appalachia’s homestead again and realize critical thinking is not lacking, she says it all. Men need to man up and act like protectors of their friends and family! 26 people were shot and killed in 2017 at a Texas church for example.

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       1. Laura while I respectfully disagree with pacifism, I would not call those who hold by it cowards.

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12. I believe are in a time of serious demonic oppression and possessions. I will pray for the Bishop and the attacker. The world is going to get worse fast. I will defend myself and my family and any innocent persons I may encounter in a time of need. This news is ghastly.

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13. Totally agree, just watched Patara (Appalachia’s homestead) she said we must take a stand, even talk to deacons and pastor to have people prepared even in small churches (todays video just out), if they act “pacifist” then go elsewhere. Findout where their church stands on this issue. Since we have been home church-ing for two years now, I will still tell other churchgoers by sending out Patara’s video and your article. Evem smaller churches (one in Texas several yrs ago) had shootings was not a large church either. We must be “on guard” even in shopping malls and stay out of crowded areas (shop early) avoiding crowded places incl dining out (slow times) and concerts, etc.

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14. This is what Christian faith looks like. The Bishop asked that we pray for his attacker. Why do I get the impression that, here in the US, the vast majority of Christians would be prepared to shoot their assailants instead? If that is what we are supposed to do – shoot them, then what do we say about Bishop Emmanuel’s example? Is it just one of many viable alternatives – shoot or lay down your life, as you choose? My opinion on pacifism is not popular, even among Christians. I would give my life in defense of those I love. But to kill in their defense is another matter altogether. I know, when I read the testimony of this Bishop, and others like him, that I am standing on solid ground in my beliefs.

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    1. If people won’t defend themselves the attacks will ramp up. Think of the children and social order in general. Many women carry, not just men.

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       1. LA, as Christians, we look at the world through the eyes of faith. We are not called to engage in social analysis. Do you really think anything can happen that escapes the attention of our Father in heaven? Do you think He needs us to engage in violence to accomplish His will? Do you not believe that He cares for children far more than we do or can? Read Hebrews 11 about what faith can accomplish. All the arguments I see – that we must use violence to defend children, that refusing to take up arms is cowardice, come from human reasoning, not the instruction of the Bible. In a heartbeat, I would give my life in defense of those I love. I would not take the life of another, because it is not mine to take. You, those of you who would argue that I am the coward, have no idea how difficult it is to write those words. But I follow the Lamb who was slain, not a lamb that slays. Those who call themselves Christians, in our country, have forgotten that we are called to endure persecution. Do you imagine that persecution does not test us to our very core? You imagine a trajectory where events play themselves out according to human logic, and you ignore the intervention of God on behalf of those who walk by faith. That does not mean our lives will be spared, it means we will be in the center of His will. You have not experienced the peace of God that comes from obedience, and you do not understand the danger of disobedience. You fear men with guns, but you do not fear the Lord. You want by sight, not faith. In relying on your own strength, you deny the power of God. Where is faith in what you write? Where is there any reference to the Word of God? You cannot begin to assess these things if you are not a genuine believer, and being a believer means obedient faith. 

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       2. Amen, KJ!   I repent of foolishly trusting that salvation comes through the sword that is vainly grasped in my impotent hands. In obedience to the gospel of Christ’s omnipotent salvation, I deny myself, putting away Ceasar’s bloody sword and joyfully taking up my daily martyrs cross (Luke 9:23).  

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    2. Interesting point. C.S. Lewis was not a pacifist. He had an interesting take on how Christians could serve as soldiers and remain true to Christ.

       He said that even when called on to kill out of necessity we should view it as a necessary evil and not enjoy it or carry it further. (Shoot the wounded or those taken captive.)

       Killing to defend the innocent and showing love to our enemies–including praying for them as they kill us–are not incompatible behaviors.

       However, I respect your beliefs as a pacifist. My Amish neighbors share your convictions.

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       1. Rachel, I replied to you but it wound up in the general comments rather than as a reply. 

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       2. Reply to JKerber:  you probably don’t have children, nieces or nephews. If you did I assume you’d passively just stand there and do nothing if they were in a dangerous situation (person threatening or doing violence).? Pacifists wouldn’t even defend their elderly parents, etc. in violent situation according to their doctrine. 

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       3. I could make some arguments based on what exists in biblical narratives and church history, but you would probably argue that no actual passages say, “Thou shalt take up arms” in the New Testament/my passages were taken out of context/the examples I gave are no longer relevant/etc.

          Neither of us would convince the other but might draw others if not ourselves into a heated squabble.

          That’s how online discussions tend to go. Consider this a form of cheek turning. Have a good day.

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    3. If you are willing to die for your loved ones, but are not willing to use deadly force in their defense, then your life is simply wasted. I have no desire to kill, but I will in defense of those I love. There is nothing in scripture that teaches against this.

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