A Bible lays among the bloodshed after a deadly attack at Joy In Jesus Church in Mombasa, Kenya.
“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” – Matthew 24:9.
The increasing tide of Christian persecution continued in Kenya as gunmen entered a Sunday church service and opened fire on worshipers, killing seven and wounding several more. The attack is yet another sign of the growing attacks on Christians in nations all over the world.
“A Planned Attack Aimed At Creating Fear..”
Survivors of the church shooting assess the damage.
According to reports:
Gunmen entered a Sunday morning worship service in Kenya’s coastal Mombasa County yesterday and sprayed the congregation with bullets, killing at least seven Christians and leaving several others in critical condition.
Two heavily-armed men wounded more than a dozen of the 200-member Joy in Jesus Church in the Likoni area of Mombasa, where a mosque said to have ties with the Somali Islamic extremist group Al Shabaab has caused tensions.
Among the dead was assistant pastor Phillip Musasa, sources told Morning Star News.
“The pastor had a head injury and succumbed to the injury while being rushed to the hospital,” said a pastor who visited victims today at Coast General Hospital, also known as Makandara Hospital. “I saw 10 of the survivors in the hospital, and they are in a critical state.” (source).
Once the attackers left, they then went to carry out another mass shooting at Redeemed Gospel Church but were met by armed guards at the entrance and left. Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Likoni policie chief Robert Mueithi told reporters that due to the high-powered weaponry and large amounts of ammunition found at the church he suspected it was the work of terrorists. “This has all the indicators of a terrorist attack because the attackers did not steal anything and appeared to be focused on killing,” Mureithi said.
Church leaders believe the attack was retaliation for a February police raid at the Masjid Musa Mosque, also located in Likoni, where a number of Muslims were arrested. Kenya has become a hotbed of terorrist activity in response to its military intervention in Somalia. Al-Shabaab, the Al-Queda linked terror group that has wreaked havoc in Africa, claimed responsibility for the Westgate Mall attack in September 2013 that left 67 dead and scores injured. So it is clear that the presence of Islamic terrorism is very real in this area.
Prophesied End Time Persecution
A shooting victim is treated for gunshot wounds.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. – Matthew 5:10-11.
Jesus Christ prophesied that his believers would face persecution, especially as the time of His Coming approached. And in many nations all over the world, anti-Christian sentiment is on the rise. Pray for the many thousands of Christian brothers and sisters who are literally risking their lives by proclaiming and displaying their faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. The believers in Kenya are continuing to attend church and proclaim their faith even in this hostile environment. Bishop Wilfred Lai, senior pastor of the Redeemed Gospel Church and chairman of the County Church Forum, said area Christians will not be deterred. “We as the body of Christ in the coastal region of Kenya will stand firm in spite of the cruel act of terrorism,” he said.
Pray that Bishop Lai and the other Christians in the region maintain their faith and find their comfort in The Lord during this time of persecution. And that those who hate the Christian faith will repent, believe the Gospel and turn back to God who they vainly rage against.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. – 1 Peter 4:12-14.
Bore da/Good morning and Hi
I am saddened by all these atrocities, and I wholeheartedly agree that any violence perpetrated on anyone is a sin against humanity, but religious violence in whatever form cannot be condoned. The heinous murder of the innocent because of their beliefs, is a crime against mankind and his quest for freedom of choice, etc. However, the history of sectarianism is ever present, and Christians have been in the forefront of such goings on, for millennia! It is sheer hypocrisy by B&E to post biased comments of atrocities against Christians in Africa, when less than a month ago Christians were massacring Muslims, and it is still going on in the Central African Republic of Bangui. Sectarian conflict are not rare, in fact they are very common, and as a researcher of the history, I have encountered such atrocities in my research going back to the very beginning of the Christian era. Christian violence to other Christians and non-Christian religions, namely Jews, and from the 7th century onwards, the Muslims, has never ceased. All this violence in Africa can be attributed to Christian missionaries, who converted the native peoples from their once pure native religions, to that of a Western belief of an adopted Middle Eastern monotheism god! I know there is sectarianism in the orient, with Hindus and Muslims, etc., but lets tell it as it is, the truth is that the Christians are not blameless, and in most cases as history attest, Christians are in the forefront of the atrocities and carnage!
Cofion (regards)
Jero Jones, Mab Cymru
Hi Jero Jones,
You said,
All this violence in Africa can be attributed to Christian missionaries, who converted the native peoples from their once pure native religions, to that of a Western belief of an adopted Middle Eastern monotheism god!
First, there is only one God (1 Timothy 2:5, James 2:19, Isaiah 43:11, Isaiah 44:6, Revelation 1:8, just to name a few verses, please seek more for yourself ). So all the other “pure native religions” as you called it, are just false worship and doctrines of devils. Our job, as believers in the only true God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord, is to spread the good news of the gospel (Mark 16:15, 1 Corinthians 9:16, Matthew 28:19-20). The attacks come from those who refuse to hear the gospel and worship false gods ( satan, fallen angels ) and will always hate and spite us because they already hate Jesus (John 15:18, Matthew 10:22).
You said,
I have encountered such atrocities in my research going back to the very beginning of the Christian era. Christian violence to other Christians and non-Christian religions, namely Jews, and from the 7th century onwards, the Muslims, has never ceased.
I assume the christian violence you speak of would be the crusades. Here is a quote from an article on Christian Today on the crusades.
“So what is the truth about the Crusades? Scholars are still working some of that out. But much can already be said with certainty. For starters, the Crusades to the East were in every way defensive wars. They were a direct response to Muslim aggression—an attempt to turn back or defend against Muslim conquests of Christian lands”.
Thomas F. Madden
If your talking about the crusades, they were actually the muslim nation attacking christian lands to take them over. It was a defensive act on the Christians to protect their land and faith. By using scripture, it is likely to determine the reason for muslim attacks on Christianity are because they are the descendants Ishmael. Abraham was so worried that he would die before he had a child, he asked God if the steward or servant of his house( Eliezer of Demascus ) would be his heir (Genesis 15:2-3). But God promises that the servant man would not be an heir, but he (Abraham) would have his own heir from his own bowels (Genesis 15:4). But his wife Sarah, told Abraham that the Lord had restrained her from having a child and that he should sleep with the maid or servant girl Hagar, an Egyptian (Genesis 16:1-4). Of course afterward, Sarah got mad and felt despised in the eyes of Hagar, so Sarah dealt with her roughly and Hagar fled from Sarah (Genesis 16:4-6). Then an Angel of the Lord tells Hagar that she will call the child Ishmael that his seed will be multiplied
and he will be a wild man who’s hand shall be against every man (Genesis 16:7-12). Even though God said he would multiply Ishmael’s seed, he clearly made his covenant with Abraham and Sarah who would give birth to Isaac (Genesis 17:19-21). God did not make a covenant with Ishmael, only with the seed of Isaac, God only said he would multiply Ishmael’s seed. When Isaac was born, since he was the chosen seed of God, Hagar and Ishmael had to be cast out (Genesis 21:9-14). Then when Ishmael grew up, he settled in the land of Paran (Genesis 21:20-21). Now back in Genesis 17:20, it says, ” twelve princes shall he ( Ishmael) begat “. These 12 princes dwelt in Havilah and Shur and toward Assyria (Genesis 25:12-18). Here is some reference of where that land is from the Holman KJV study Bible commentary.
Ishmael fathered 12 sons, all of whom became princes of their nations. Their towns and castles stretched from Havilah unto Shur, the region between the modern Suez canal and the Wadi el-Arish. Later their settlements, the best known of which was Kedar, would extend into the northwest Arabian Peninsula.
Holman KJV study Bible commentary
These areas are all Northern Africa and the Middle East. This area is where the Arab race descends from. This Arab race would have given birth to Mohammed and to the nation of Islam. So by using scripture, you can see that the Islam nation descends from Ishmael. And remember God promised his covenant to the descendants of Isaac, who lead to David, and who’s seed gave birth to the Messiah Jesus Christ. And Jesus’ people are Christians. The Muslim’ were the ones who started the crusades, and attacking Christian lands because of their hatred for The Gospel and the Messiah that God promised through Isaac and not Ishmael. But remember, The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to anyone that believes (Romans 1:16).
You said,
but lets tell it as it is, the truth is that the Christians are not blameless, and in most cases as history attest, Christians are in the forefront of the atrocities and carnage!
Of course Christians aren’t blameless,NOBODY is, we ALL fall short of God’s glory. but are freely redeemed of our sins by the grace of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-25). I think I have made my point. Christians throughout time have been and will be hated because of our love for Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:9). And God’s people have every right to defend themselves (Psalms 82:4,Proverbs 24:11). Especially from an attack by people who refuse to be set free. Had the Muslim’s not attacked the Christians, nobody would have died. We all need to show unending love (John 13:34, Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:1-3). But it’s love through Jesus Christ, and believing he died for all our sins on the cross, and rose the third day so that we ALL can have everlasting life (John 3:16,
1 Corinthians 15:1-4, John 8:23-24, John 1:29). I pray Jero that you will look at the scriptures I referenced and continue to read and understand God’s word. I love you brother. May grace, peace and mercy be multiplied unto you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Love suffereth long: it is bountiful: love envieth not: love doth not boast itself: it is not puffed up:
It doth no uncomely thing: it seeketh not her own thing: it is not provoked to anger: it thinketh no evil:
It rejoiceth not in intiquity, but rejoiceth in the truth:
It suffereth all things: it believeth all things: it hopeth all things: it endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 1599 Geneva Bible
Read the second one, first one got cut off at the end. Thanks and God Bless!
Hi [email protected],
I was curious as to what it takes to be a part of your ministry? I pray for your ministry, but I would like to consider my self part of the [email protected] team. I think I could learn a lot from your ministry. Thanks either way my brother in Christ. God bless.
Hi B&E,am Jackie from Kenya.I really like your website and the materials in it,I also like the way you expose the evil going on in the entertaintment industry.Keep up the good work and may God richly bless you