According to Canon Andrew White, known as the “Vicar of Baghdad,” four Iraqi Christian children under the age of 15 were beheaded by ISIS when they refused to renounce Jesus and convert to Islam.  The story and a recorded interview with Canon Andrew White was reported by the New York Post, though I have found no confirmation that Mr White actually witnessed the murders.

However, in a Fox News interview, Father Jonathan Morris (a Fox religion contributor) offered insightful thoughts.  Toward the end of the 3-minute interview, he talked about the importance of living out what we say we believe.  He also encouraged prayer for the families of those young people.

Whether entirely confirmed as true or not, there is plenty of evidence that ISIS has brutally murdered men, women and children for their Christian faith, and even for their Shia Muslim faith that conflicts with their Sunni Muslim beliefs.  They are fanatical about jihad and are ruthless in their torture and maiming of innocent civilians.

What would you do if confronted with the option of renouncing your faith in Jesus or being beheaded?  Would you stand firm as those young people (and hundreds of thousands of other martyrs) have done?  Perhaps you think it could never happen here in America.  Two things tell me differently:

• It is well-documented (here, here and here, for example) that a growing number of Americans are being recruited and trained in ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other terrorist training camps.  What is to keep them from returning to the US and putting that training into action?  In addition, ISIS has sent this message to America: “We are in your cities!”  Furthermore, below is a map of known terrorist cells in America.  If we think we are safe from terrorism in America, we have sadly forgotten 911, and have our heads in the sand when it comes to understanding the ambitions of radical Islam.

• The Bible warns of evil in the last days.  Yes, ultimately believers will be raptured and therefore spared the wrath of the tribulation.  But the Lord does not promise that we will not experience persecution before our time arrives.  Listen to Jesus’s words in John 15:21-22:

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

Indeed, just as Jesus was persecuted, so we as believers must not be surprised if we, too, suffer persecution.  I pray that we will not face the type of persecution those young people faced.  But if we do, are we ready to stand firm?

Let’s finish on a high note!  Despite whatever happens to us in this world, the Lord has encouraged us in incredible ways!  Meditate on the passages below.  Be blessed, fellow believer, be blessed!

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you:
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire; you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the Lord your God.”
~ Isaiah 43:1-3

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
~ John 14:27