Islam: They’re Coming for Us

Christians: let’s not kid ourselves. They’re coming for us.

I believe there are tens of millions of Muslims around the world who will go to their graves having never physically harmed anyone. I believe this for the same reason I believe there are tens of millions of professing Christians who will not go to heaven. Just as there are false converts in Christianity, there are false converts to Islam. The false convert to Islam, like the false convert to Christianity, does not live by his religion’s book–the Qur’an and the Bible, respectively. False converts in both religions worship with their lips, but their hearts are far from their respective deities (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8). False converts in both religions will answer to the same God, and it will not be the god of Islam. The god of Islam does not exist. They will all answer to the One, True, and Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)–their Creator.

And how should genuine, born-again followers of Jesus Christ treat true converts to Islam, false converts to Islam, and false converts to Christianity? The Word of God gives the Christian clear direction.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48).

“But when the Pharisees heard that he [Jesus] had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:34-40).

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good'” (Romans 12:14-21).

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have” (Philippians 1:27-30).

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh” (Jude 1:17-23).

Crunching Numbers

The term “Radicalized Muslim” is all the rage today. Everyone who wants to perpetuate the lie that Islam is a religion of peace, whether Muslim or infidel, uses the term “Radicalized Muslim” to refer to any Muslim who commits violence. A friend of mine sent me the link to the following video. I think it properly decimates the notion that “Radicalized Muslims” make up a small minority of Islam’s practitioners. Take just a few minutes to watch the video before continuing with this article.

Presently, 2.6 million Muslims live in the United States, according to Pew Research Center. Of those, almost 500,000 Muslims subscribe to ideology that would qualify as “radicalized” (13% of those polled stating violence against civilians could be justified; 19% stating they were either favorable or indifferent toward Al Qaeda).

From this polling data, it can be reasonably asserted that 500,000 “Radicalized Muslims” live in the United States. This does not mean there are 500,000 Muslims in the United States who either are or will become terrorists. This means there are as many as 500,000 Muslims in the United States who may subscribe to Islamic beliefs that the rest of the world, including many professing Muslims, would consider “radicalized.”

To put this number in perspective:

Minneapolis, MN
Pop. 407,207

Oakland, CA
Pop. 413,775

Miami, FL
Pop. 430,332

Raleigh, NC
Pop. 439,896

Colorado Springs, CO
Pop. 445,830

Omaha, NE
Pop. 446,599

Virginia Beach, VA
Pop. 450,980

Atlanta, GA
Pop. 456,002

Mesa, AZ
Pop. 464,704

Kansas City, MO
Pop. 470,800

Long Beach, CA
Pop. 473,577

Sacramento, CA
Pop. 485,199

Fresno, CA
Pop. 515,986

The cities on the above list represent #34-#46 of the 50 most populated cities in the country.

There are roughly 1.6 billion professing Muslims in the world today. Conservative estimates (based on the numbers given in the above video) put the number of Muslims who, at the very least, hold to one or more so-called “radicalized” Islamic beliefs at over 800,000 million. That’s close to half of all professing Muslims in the world today. And that’s a far cry from the “small minority” propaganda the U.S. government, the secular media, and the liberal figure heads of American Evangelicalism would have us believe.

Just Two of 500,000

Today, the FBI declared what any reasonable thinking person already knew. The Massacre in San Bernardino, on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, was a terrorist act–an Islamic terrorist act.

Heather Clark of Christian News Network (the better CNN) reported what just about every other news outlet in the world is reporting. Heather wrote:

“The Pakistani-born woman who joined her husband in a violent massacre in San Bernardino on Wednesday pledged her allegiance to ISIS just moments before the attack, and her husband had been in contact with members of terror groups, reports state.

“‘We are now investigating these horrific acts as an act of terrorism,’ David Bowdich, assistant director at the FBI’s Los Angeles office, announced during a press conference on Friday as a result of ongoing revelations.

“He explained that Syed Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27, had tried to ‘destroy their digital fingerprints,’ crushing their cellphones and throwing them in the trash, and deleting files from their computer to cover up their tracks.

“Reports also state that Malik had posted on Facebook around the same time as the shooting, declaring her allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS. Farook had been in contact with members of at least two terror organizations.”

The terrorists who committed the massacre, Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik, driven by their own sin and the demonic influences of their religion, died in a gun battle with law enforcement. They did not enter into Paradise. They now await the Great White Throne Judgment of Almighty God (Revelation 20:11-15). They will be cast into hell for eternity, like every other unrepentant murderer (Revelation 21:8), as the just punishment for their sins against their Creator (again, not the false god of Islam).

I do not rejoice over Farook’s and Malik’s eternal condemnation. I don’t want anyone to face God’s eternal wrath in hell–not even them.

Farook and Malik were just two people. They were just two of 500,000. They were just two people who believed the teachings of the Qur’an and the teachings of a false prophet named Muhammad. They were just two people whose beliefs were more than theoretical, more than that which results in false bravado and bloviating around the dining room table, more than hoping others would do that which they could never do themselves. Farook and Malik lived (and died) consistent with their demonic religion’s teachings.

These two insignificant people who, but for their perpetration of unspeakable carnage, never would have been so much as a blip on history’s radar, ended the lives of 14 people, and they forever altered the lives of the other 21 people wounded in the massacre and the countless number of people directly and indirectly impacted by Wednesday’s tragedy.

I thank God for our nation’s law enforcement and intelligence community. I have no doubt God has used these professional men and women to thwart many terrorists attacks–likely a number the public will never know. But my gut tells me that Farook’s and Malik’s act of Islamic barbarity may be only the beginning of many more accomplished acts of terror on American soil. “If an insignificant, no-name, under the radar married couple from Redlands can do it…..” Thinks #3 of 500,000. Thinks #4 of 500,000. Thinks #5 of 500,000.

Just two of 500,000.

And They’re Coming for Us

As expected, day-by-day, even hour-by-hour, more information is coming out regarding details of the massacre. These details include amazing acts of heroism by law enforcement and by those who were in the room where Farook and Malik committed their heinous crimes against God and humanity.

In addition to stories of heroism, however, are accounts of Farook’s attitude toward people of either different religions or people who spoke negatively of Islam. Take this Facebook post, for example, from a friend of one of those murdered by Farook and Malik.

A staff writer on the Hannity.com website reported the following:

“According to the pastor of one of the victims of the San Bernardino terror attack, just weeks prior to the deadly shooting, Sayed Farook told Nicholas Thalasinos—a devout Messianic Jew and fellow health inspector—’You will never see Israel.’

“Pastor Bruce Dowell of the Shiloh Messianic Congregation in California told Sean Hannity on Friday’s radio show, ‘[Thalasino’s] wife told my wife… [Farook] said to Nick “you will never see Israel.” That’s according to his wife, Jennifer and that comes straight from my wife. She was with her for the last two days.’ The pastor said Farook told that to his congregant ‘face-to-face’ approximately two weeks before the attack.”

And Steve Almasy of CNN reported the following regarding Shannon Johnson, who was murdered by Farook and Malik:

“Johnson knew Syed Rizwan Farook, one of the shooters, and he liked him.

“Their talks were usually about religion, Pifer [Johnson’s girlfriend] said. Johnson told her that Farook would get very upset if offended. ‘Shannon would talk to him and just let him know that if anybody is disrespecting your religion — eff them,’ she said.”

Oh, and to anyone reading this who thinks in the PC world of ours Farook was being picked on for his Islamic faith, Ralph Ellis of CNN reported:

“Farook’s co-workers in environmental health had given him a baby shower about six months earlier, when his daughter was born.”

What will become of that poor child? May the Lord draw her to Himself one day, in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Farook and Malik did what they did because they hated the people in that meeting room. They were, after all, infidels. More than one were professing Christians–believers who were open about their opposition to Islam.

Christians: let’s not kid ourselves. They’re coming for us.

This is what I believe. Self-deluded (but fully responsible for their actions), sin-driven, and demonically-influenced people like Farook and Malik, thinking it will please their false, demonic god, are going to harm Christians. “Radicalized” (a more accurate word is “consistent”) Muslims like Farook and Malik will certainly kill indiscriminately, as they did in New York and Boston. But they will also target those who profess Christ and call Muslims to repent of the blasphemous and idolatrous practice of their religion.

If you are a professing Christian and, up until Wednesday, you believed “it will never happen here; not like that,” you know you can’t believe that way ever again. Reality just knocked on your front door. Reality just threw a rock through your opaque glass Christian bubble.

Never by the Sword

Many Christians, true and false believers, in America are frightened right now. That’s how terrorism works. The terrorists strikes with blood-thirsty ferocity in such a way as to inflict as much pain and suffering as possible, on the general populace. While death and destruction is their unholy end game, frightening people to the point they stop living their lives in a “normal” way is also a desired effect.

From Pearl Harbor to 9-11, the American people have shown themselves not to be the “soft targets” terrorists would like. I’m sure this will be the case in the aftermath of the San Bernardino Massacre, and the acts of terrorism that will yet plague our land.

Unfortunately, I also believe there are likely American Christians, true and false believers, who may not be thinking biblically about how Christians should respond to and live after the San Bernardino massacre. There may be Christians thinking about or calling for the deportation of all Muslims from America. Some may be going so far, in their minds, as to think the only way to stop the spread of Islam is to intern, imprison, or exterminate Muslims. “We have to kill them, before they kill us.”

Such sinful thinking makes the professing Christian holding such views no different, and certainly no better, than the Muslims they fear.

Islam and its wicked sister, Roman Catholicism, have used similar methods to promote adherence to their respective religions. A tactic that has always been employed by Qur’an-believing Muslims throughout the history of the Islamic religion is a tactic Roman Catholics once employed to terrorize the masses: conversion by the sword (or by burning at the stake).

Christianity, however, never has been, is not, and never will be a religion that seeks the conversion of unbelievers by the sword–conversion by legislation, judicial fiat, military action, vigilantism, or violence of any kind. (Please don’t make the tired, revisionist history, Internet “Crusades” argument. That’s so 20th century.)

Look: I want Islamic ideology eradicated from the face of the earth. It’s wicked, evil, blasphemous, demonic, and godless. The Christian should desire the eradication of Islamic ideology from the world, along with every other religious and secular ideology that is contrary to the truth of God’s Word, but they should desire that through the proclamation of the gospel, and not by the sword–not through violence.

As a Christian, I don’t want Islamic ideology taught in schools, promoted in the media, or forced upon people by the government. But, at the same time, I would not stand in front of a school to prevent a Muslim child from entering. I would not bomb a Muslim television station. I would not assassinate a Muslim politician. I would not do these things any more than I would do these things to stop the spread of Roman Catholic, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness, or atheist ideology.

It happens often. When I’m on the streets or on a college campus preaching the gospel in the open-air, someone invariably approaches me and says, “Stop shoving your religion down people’s throats!”

My response: “I’m not shoving my religion down your throat. I’m not a Muslim. I’m not holding a sword to your throat, threatening to kill you if you don’t join my religion.”

True Christianity can never be a “conversion by the sword” religion. Genuine followers of Christ know that salvation is of the Lord, not of the sword. Any person who is converted by a Christian, either by friendly or violent persuasion remains dead in their sin. Again, salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is not man’s doing.

At present, I am not talking about pacifism, or the right and/or obligation to defend one’s self or someone else. At present, I am not talking about whether or not Christians should be in the military or law enforcement. At present, I am not talking about the theological implications of the Second Amendment. I served twenty years in law enforcement. I have strong views on these issues. I also communicate regularly with solid brothers in Christ with whom I may disagree regarding these matters.

The bottom line: regardless of where a Christian stands on Military and law enforcement service, self-defense, involvement in politics, or the Second Amendment, the Christian can NEVER desire the furtherance and propagation of Christianity, through violence.

So, What Do We Do?

“So, what do we do?!”

To my brothers and sisters in Christ:

What should we do in the face of the rapid rise of Muslim, Qur’an consistent terrorism? Here are five things each of us can do in the face of the violent proliferation of Islam.

First: don’t worry.

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:5-9).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Second: don’t be afraid.

Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:16-33).

Third: prepare yourself.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Fourth: truly commit, maybe for the first time, to die to self, take up your cross, and follow Christ.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom'” (Matthew 16:24-28; see also Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23).

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have” (Philippians 1:27-30).

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

Fifth: proclaim the gospel!

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age'” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16, emphasis added).

“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24, emphasis added).

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28, emphasis added).

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:15-16, emphasis added).

My brothers and sisters in Christ: Muslims are coming for us. Therefore, don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. Prepare yourself. Truly commit to die to self, take up your cross, and follow Christ. And proclaim the gospel!

To everyone else: repent and believe the gospel while God has given you time.