A Second Wave of Persecution
A tidal wave or tsunami can be the most alluring and powerfully destructive forces on the planet. Whether caused by weather conditions (tidal wave) or a significant earthquake deep below the sea-bed (tsunami), the resultant wave may originate at only two feet in amplitude but end up extending up to 193 kilometres in length, travelling at up to 805 kilometres per hour. Upon approaching the shore’s shallow water, the wave’s speed is greatly reduced by friction from sweeping against the sea bottom, causing its amplitude to explode to enormous heights which can potentially reach up to 100 feet. The wave oscillates, rhythmically attacking the shore and everything in its path; and then it recedes, often leaving in its wake an even greater destruction. The retreating wave then ruthlessly captures its victims and bounty, drawing everyone and everything out to a deep and cold watery grave.
In some ways there are painful comparisons that can be made to such a destructive natural disaster when considering the devastation caused by militant Islamist groups such as Boko Haram and “ISIS” (also referred to as “IS”). Metaphorically, such perpetrators are motivated and energized by earthquakes of evil initiated deep below the surface, travelling at first in stealth mode during the night and at startling attack speeds. Then they rise up to encircle and intimidate their targets, leaving a wake of destruction and desolation as they subsume territories and forcibly evacuate all those who oppose their supreme rule.
It is this comparative wake of destruction that follows the decimation and evacuation of an otherwise balanced society that greatly concerns me. When a regime like ISIS forces the mass exodus of Christian families and others from a region, and then perpetrates a “scorched earth” pummelling of atrocities that remove any former remnants of Christianity, I can’t help but wonder if there may be huge spiritual dynamics occurring that have not as yet been considered by the church at large. Is it possible that the aftershock of the forced removal of God’s people from a city or region, now assimilated into such a dark regime, could be similarly destructive and seductive as the retreating wave of a tsunami which apparently “takes no prisoners”?
To answer this question, we must first revisit and fully understand the reality of the Holy Spirit’s residency and functionality within our very beings. According to God’s Word, and as evidenced by our personal experiences as “born-again believers” in Jesus, we know by faith that we are the “temples of the Holy Spirit.” God’s essence, presence, and power resides within us and can, therefore, be expressed to others according to His purposes under heaven. This process is highly transformative within our various spheres of influence. The following words of Jesus in Luke 17:20-21 affirm that God’s purposes are to be wrought in and through our lives:
“ ...The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you.”
As emissaries of God’s restorative and redemptive grace, mercy and forgiveness, we have access to spiritual power that can only be limited by our lack of faith. The Lord reiterates this truth in John 14:12:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, has stated that “fourteen million people are now displaced due to the interlinked crises in Syria and Iraq.” While it’s impossible to accurately determine exactly how many Christians may be included in such numbers, we continue to see evidence that waves of such massive displacement are increasingly motivated and energized by the spiritual warfare that singles out the followers of Jesus and their families.
The international news source, Al Jazeera reports that “in 2003, it was thought that Christians in Mosul numbered 35,000. The number dwindled due to a wave of migration. Some estimates put the most recent numbers at 3,000 Christians out of a city of two million.”
What has taken place in the city of Mosul (located across the Tigris River and interlinked with the ancient city of Nineveh, the Old Testament prophet Jonah’s unwelcomed mission challenge), brings to our awareness ISIS’ capture and domination, and the militant group’s particular ultimatum and cruelty toward Mosul’s Christian inhabitants.
More recently, we have once again been assaulted by news media reports, informing us that the city of Ramadi in Iraq’s Anbar province has been besieged by ISIS. Reportedly, the North American-trained Iraqi armies have laid down their arms and fled, abandoning their posts and their people. The UNHCR1 has declared that to date “an estimated 114,000 Iraqis have fled Ramadi.... Of these, about 39,000 remain inside Anbar province.” The news agency further reports that “two million Iraqis have become internally displaced across Iraq since January 2014.”
So, as tens of thousands of Christians in spiritually oppressed regions of the world are increasingly forced from their homes and evacuated into what appears a lifeless abyss – taking with them only their faith in Christ and salvaging whatever few physical remnants of that faith they’ve been able to carry on their backs (Bibles, letters, photos, crosses, etc.) – there may be a compelling and haunting question to be considered.
Formerly, Christians residing in Mosul would have been the spiritual presence and influence of God in their society...the “salt” and “light” that permeated Mosul’s communities with the transformative power of His Kingdom on earth. Such power would have also infiltrated their respective households. It may then follow that, in spiritual terms, God’s emissaries to Mosul, having since been forced into the desert en masse, would take within them treasures of the Kingdom that are recognized and hated by the enemy, but which may have served as symbols of the city’s hope for tomorrow under God. It could well be that ISIS, not unlike that retreating tidal wave of destruction, is unwittingly (or even knowingly) obliterating every shred of God’s presence and every pathway leading back for those of the faithful who would call Mosul “home.”
By removing the influence of the living human temples of God’s Holy Spirit, ISIS may well have become complicit with the true enemy of God, thereby creating a desolate and dark spiritual wasteland that breeds utter destruction and contempt against our Heavenly Father. In fact, the extent could be an example of “hell on earth” such as we have rarely seen. Despite this, I choose to believe that God still has a redemptive plan for everyone, including those who would perpetrate the vilest crimes against humanity...if they can be drawn to the cross of Christ for salvation.
Our merciful Lord will find a way to reach His lost children, and we can be part of His solution as we pray unceasingly for the believers who have chosen to defy evacuation orders to carry on ministry “underground,” as well as those who share this vision by returning to bring the Gospel to all who remain. We must also pray for the light of God’s truth to illuminate the hearts of the many good people of Mosul representing other faiths who have chosen to remain steadfast in their homeland.
As mentioned, in all of this, one lingering question remains for me.... As God’s children (with His Spirit abiding therein) surrender the territory and vacate, will He then remove His hand of blessing and protection from such regions, thus allowing an aftershock of desolation? Will it be as if His children have ‘wiped the dust off their feet’ as they’ve fled, symbolically taking with them the “Ark of the Covenant,” and with it, God’s presence? If this thesis is valid, then we, as the body of Christ, must pray earnestly and unceasingly, interceding on behalf of displaced believers who have potentially lost hope.
Let us figuratively lift the weary arms of our displaced sisters and brothers of the world who are now wandering aimlessly without sustenance or protection while in search of a home and a mission for Christ. By responding to God’s indwelling Holy Spirit, we can be conduits of His healing and restoration in their lives – offering renewed hope in His ever-watchful care and ongoing faithfulness.
- Doug
