29 Responses

1. Thank you Joel for sharing such a powerful testimony. The blood of these men shall surely be avenged, but not by man. Let us all strive to love our enemies and pray for them as we have been commanded by our Lord Jesus, trusting in His wisdom and knowing that the Day of Vengeance is in His hand.

2. I’m totally numbed, I really can’t see myself being so composed in such a position. very powerful testimony as Greg said. I will show it to many.
   We truly need to be at our Savours feet. In the time of Jacobs trouble, Isaiah says that our God will ‘wonder that there will be no intercessor’, May we never to busy to remember those in bonds.

   Last night I saw this photo for the first time, I just cried.

   http://article.wn.com/view/2015/04/01/Syrian_girl_surrenders_The_story_of_the_child_who_mistook_a_/

   We need a genuine manifest moving of Gods Spirit to confirm His word, and bring us back Knowing Christ only and Him Crucified, nothing less that the apostles knew.
   My prayer is spoken beautifully by the old hymn;

   Breath on me breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love as thou dost love, and do as thou wouldst do.

   Thank you Joel

3. We all need to be prepared to lay down our lives for sake of the Gospel.

4. Well said, Linda; my sentiments exactly. Words are totally inadequate here.

5. Thanks for making me aware of this video Doug. I am so happy someone has finally responded in this way.

6. As a Warrior, this event stirred me to my very soul. Confront evil, Pursue justice, and Love mercy is something I try to focus on. My heart was torn from top to bottom. As a Christian, I watched in amazement and horror as I saw prophecy being fulfilled before my eyes. “It has begun” I thought.

   It is hard as a warrior to stand back, and do nothing. I don’t feel like praying is anywhere close to what I should be doing. I have always believed that in order for wickedness to prevail in this world, good men must stand back, and do nothing. I still am stirred by the events I read about daily, and struggle with the my desire for the reckoning.

   I wish I could say knowing that my God has already arranged the meeting is comforting to me, but I would be lying most of the time. I am a protector, and have been my whole life. I feel lost in the battle against my flesh. I desire to do good in the eyes of God but hopelessly fail daily.

   This video was a blessing to watch. It is how strong I wish I could be, but as of now, I sadly miss the mark. I know why this has to happen, but long for the strength to face this evil head-on when it is at my doorstep. If you are reading this, please pray for me. I am a leader of men, and desire to lead justly, and righteously in the eyes of My Father. I need all the help I can get.

   Lord, search my heart and weed out all the wickedness in me, that I may be pleasing to You, in Your Sight. As the battle lines are drawn, I’ll need you more than ever.

   Travis

7. Meathook,

   No question its a challenge for everyone, even moreso for men, who are called to be protectors of the sheep. But yeah even moreso those who have been trained and whose job it is to do this. This is why the more I understand the Gospel message, the more I appreciate it’s divine wisdom. Not only do I increasingly understand this very purposeful divine conundrum that the Lord will allow His people to be forced into in the days ahead to test all hearts (and why trusting in Him is always the ultimate response), but I also take endless comfort in knowing that His return is the very essence of Justice. His kingdom is build upon the foundation of justice. His Day is the Day when all injustice through human history will suddenly be made right. Believing that makes men act profoundly differently than those whose hope is in this present age and system, who flail and rage, but do not really have a genuine confidence in the fact that He is faithful to His creation and will not let these things go on like this forever. A Day is Coming for all the nations! How I long for that Day. Sorry for preaching.

   Will pray for you brother.

   Blessings,
   Joel

8. Well, its good to know someone else out there is LONGING for that day.

   (I think I’ve become the wierdo in my Christian circle who gets too excited about the return)

9. I, too am speechless, heart broke, numb, quilt ridden, inadequate, frustrated, I’ll stop there. Three years or so ago God began wakening me to things pertaining to the end of times and led me to this site which I have followed for some time now and have the book Mideast Beast. I can’t help but make a comment to this post to just say that God has raised those with ears to hear and eyes to see for a time such as this to glorify and uphold the name of Jesus as these 21 did. May He continue to strengthen, encourage, enlighten, and embolden, those at this time. My heart is with Linda and Meathook and encouraged with Joel’s response above.

10. Joel,

    Well this raises some issues, on whether or not to fight. As you are prolly aware, loads of volunteers are going there, and Christians too – to fight. If it werent for my family, I would be sorely tempted to go back there and fight too.

    In studying the history of the spread of Islam v Christianity, there were a number of setbacks to the Islamic conquests, thwarted by armies, in France, Spain, etc. The intresting this is that some of these defeats seem to hinge on a series of complete flukes favouring the Christian side.

    An example is during the siege of Malta, the Turkish commander decided to use the men manning the galleys blockading the island for the siege, only to change his mind later. The ships were absent for one day, the same day the Christian relief force commander decided to sail from Sicily and sucessfully land his men on the island. It was a complete fluke. If Malta had fallen, all southern Europe would have been exposed and could today be Islamic.

    Having said this, its hard not to see a Muslim defeat as God’s will, that He really was on one particular side.

    This in turn lends the question about fighting back. What was it Jesus was saying when he told two of his disciples to get swords?
    Do you have any comments on this matter of Christians going off to fight ISIS?

11. Giles,

    There is nothing wrong with war in the face of evil. But these are civil duties. So long as we remember that our primary mandate as Christians is to proclaim the gospel.

12. Unfortunately most of the leadership (bishops) of Orthodox Copts hold to replacement theology to the point of being antiemetic “curse those who curse you” may be in affect here?

13. Yes, there is much anti-Semitism in the Egyptian coptic churches, but I do not see this as a curse resulting from that. All who desire to live a godly life in Christ will suffer persecution.

14. Joel,

    Thank you for your words, and the faith you present here. It is hard to have not only been this way my whole life, but trained in war makes it hard too. I have faith that this will not last, and though I am stunned at what I see everyday, I am no longer surprised. You made a comment once that resonated with me. You said when we see prophecy being fulfilled, it validates God’s Word to us, so if one part is proven true, we know it all is.

    There are a few things I am sure about: 1) Christ saved me before I even knew Him. 2) He has been given the keys to death and hades. 3) He will come with Power and Great Glory to claim what is rightfully His, when He returns. I believe God’s word, and have confidence in it.

    I don’t feel as if you were preaching at me, so no apologies are needed. I have read your response quite a few times, and saw your response to Giles. I appreciate the words of encouragement you have for us. This may sound weird, but I have always had a feeling God has something very important for me to do. I’m not sure if this is common for most Christians, but nonetheless, I feel He will use me to do something great for His Kingdom one day. Anything for His Kingdom is of great importance either way. I almost think when I meet Him, He will show me, and I’ll say “That was it? But that wasn’t a big deal.” And He will laugh at me and day, “Of Course it was!” Who knows, but He alone.

    Once again, thank you for the engaging conversation. Until we speak again, may God bless you, your family, and your ministry.

    Travis

15. Happy Easter to you and your family. Your teachings is a breath of fresh air, bringing me a new perspective of my own life.

    Thank you much!

16. Giles,

    I assume you have bore the burden of a warrior’s spirit as well. I can assure you that you are not the only one who feels this way. I have had many passionate conversations, as of late, with my friends who have spent many months from home; on a battlefield far away. As much as I feel inadequate, for not joining those who wish to fight against injustice, I too have a family. A wife, and five children whom I love. Knowing that the time may be coming for us; here, helps me reason why I have not left everything to go fight. Who will help my friends and family here, if I am gone? Who else but me?

    Though I am not sure of what the future holds for me, what I am sure of, is either way, He will remain faithful; even until the end of the age. I will fight the good fight, here, now. Knowing what is to come, I will stand my ground, and dare the enemy to come and take it. What can man do to me? My Lord holds the Keys of Death. So, as much as I struggle with staying put, I know He has something for me that I have not seen yet. Perhaps we may meet on a future battlefield, or perhaps in a prison. Though our country has not started spilling the blood of the saints, that does not mean it won’t be.

    So, from one warrior to another, know our time has not yet come. He will call the shots, and then we may act. Until then, we must keep those we know close to us, so they may see what is coming soon. I firmly believe that we still have time before the end, but not that much. I will pray for you, as you guys have for me. I can assure you this will be a struggle for both of us, for awhile. He will make clear His desire for us, if we earnestly seek it. I only hope I’m not too dense to see it, or perceive it.

    Travis

17. Thank God for resurrection day! It is my strong belief that no Christian who dies for the faith, dies in vain. I see more spiritual awakening among Christians today than I’ve seen in a long time (I’m 81). This and other terrible acts of Satan are working good for His Church. God told me a long time ago to keep my eye on Israel, What a miracle! He said in the past they gave us the written Word, but in these last days they will be our living epistle. “keep your eye on them”. I believe they are the “fig tree” Jesus was referring to in Matt. 24.

18. Thank you for sharing Mr Joel! You are such a blessing to us!
    Numbers 6:24-26 Amplified Bible
    The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
    The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

    I always include you and your team in my prayers.

    Blessings,
    Sis Rossie

19. Well Joel, Glory to God, he breathed as i prayed for! right while i was Worshipping, no laying on of hands, the precious Spirit of God just came like a wind ! I can Hardly contain, i just Know He wants to make Jesus real to the nations through us humble vessels, For a double portion on you and your family Joel, May you see the anointing break the yoke of islam around you, and may he confirm his word through your lips! You dont have to post this, i just wanted to shout hallelujah! and thank you for your efforts to Gods people, His face truly shine upon you.

20. Joel,

    What a moving video. I struggle to think about the potential reality of laying my life down in the way these men have. I think it may be partly a carnal reaction, but I also know that God understands. God sees the injustice and will repay those who trouble us with trouble (2 Thessalonians 1). I think Jesus can deeply sympathize with our dismay based on what He experienced before and during His final hours on the cross. I know Jesus gave instructions to flee persecution, knowing that we will still have to be willing to lay down our lives if it comes to that. Also, as the church in America with so much comfort, we should be doing what Paul spoke about in 2 Corinthians 1:3-10. I was thinking about, given these times and myself as a messianic Jewish man, moving my family and I to Israel – but I also think of the potentiality of Hamas terrorism and ISIS madness. It’s not something that seems as comforting as staying here in America, that’s for sure.

    God bless you and thanks for your new book.

21. Joel, thanks for posting the very powerful and challenging video and testimony which many of us feel to the depths of our own souls as to how we would (will?) react and respond should it ever come closer to home. My prayer, hope, and trust is that the grace of God will enable us to glorify and honor Jesus (and even our own selves) should the situation present itself, but I do not want to presume like Peter did when he thought, “no worries”. (Maybe when you come over with your tour group later this year, we can meet somewhere.)

    And James, I can tell you as one who is also a Jewish believer in Jesus and who is also living in Israel, that there is a degree of peace and security here in Christ that I can not at all attribute to natural circumstances or to that which is seen with natural eyes. So, as one brother (twice! 🙂 ) to another, start getting your documents together, so that when your time does come, you will be better prepared to move quickly and with more humble confidence and peace.

    Daily praising and thanking God that Jesus died and rose again!

22. I watch in wonderment at the faith of those men who showed no resistance to laying down their lives and wonder if I would have the strength to do the same. Only through His power could that be so!

    And it is so hard not to hate ones enemies, but I know we should pray for them. And who knows if God will not send His Holy Spirit to lift the scales off their eyes and unplug their ears, and let them see and hear the truth of the Word of God. And even if only one should see the Light and repent, that is one more soul who can stand before God in that day and be allowed in the Kingdom.

    Grace be unto God.

    Thanks Joel for sharing the video.

23. Gary, remember, Saul, was a terrorist before he became, Paul the Apostle.

24. Sending love to you Joel and all of you dear brothers and sisters here. This song and the lyrics have better words than I could ever come up with. This is truly Holy Spirit. “I Won’t Trade My Crown” by Down East Boys. Be Blessed…

25. Have you seen this, Joel?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSv4vBcFyvo

26. Thank you for sharing this. For me, this is the heart of the Gospel.

27. I was so moved by this video. It was like a sense of closure to all the emotional shock and spiritual sorrow I have been feeling concerning the slaughter of Christians in the Middle East. It brought healing and a resolve to draw closer to Jesus. I know from history the story of the Martyrs for Christ but now it is a reality. Thank you for posting this. I will always remember these men’s faces and know the Jesus I serve is more real than life itself. I am praying for Christians in the Middle East. After seeing this video I know I will never be the same when I think of those who are giving their lives for the testimony of Jesus. Thank you once again. With tears in my eyes I see the Victory of Jesus.

28. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth that He might know the ones whose heart is completely His that He might fully support them.

29. Very Powerful, done with class.

    I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that leave nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

    Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
    in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none for them.

    For believers, DIE TODAY, DIE TOMORROW, SAME DIE.