Perhaps the most high profile case of apostasy in Iran right now is that of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who is currently on death row in that country for converting from Islam to Christianity.
It appears, however, that the Iranian Mullahs have a bit of an epidemic on their hands when it comes to such conversions… and they don’t seem to like it very much.
Via Daily Caller:
Iran’s ayatollahs are showing frustration with Iranians leaving Islam for Christianity in large numbers despite the threat of execution for apostasy.
A former intelligence officer in the Guards, who has now defected to Europe, told The Daily Caller that the country’s regime has ordered the domestic intelligence apparatus to use drastic measures to stop them — including imprisonment, torture and the mass-burning of Bibles.
According to a report by Mohammad Reza Modaber, the chief editor of the Christian Farsi language Mohabat News, two Christian converts in their mid 20s were arrested in April after intelligence agents entered their home in Tehran without warrants.
One agent, responding to the mother of the arrested who asked where they were taking her children and why, responded mockingly, “Tell Jesus to come and rescue them.”
Ironically, Jesus Himself was mocked just before He conquered death… by dying.
From Matthew 15:29-30…
29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
These Christian converts in Iran know true courage, a courage that can only come through unadulterated faith. As Christians, it’s important for us to know that these converts are willing to die for our faith – not just their own. That’s true brotherhood.
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
In the end, aren’t these Christians in Iran willing to do just that for Christians everywhere?
From Matthew 5:11-12:
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Got faith?
Ben Barrack is a talk show host and author of the upcoming book, Unsung Davids