It is no accident that the most vicious terrorism originates from the least evangelised area of the world. The Muslim Middle East represents the most complex political challenge and potentially an enormous military threat to the free world. It is also the greatest missionary challenge to the Christian Church. Muslim states are the most severe persecutors of Christians. And radical Muslim extremists are the most vicious terrorists, hijackers, kidnappers, suicide bombers and assassins. The failure of the Christian Church to fulfill the Great Commission in the Middle East continues to have far-reaching and disastrous consequences. Islam is a challenge that we cannot ignore. Yet, very few Christians understand Islam or know how to respond to it. Terrorism’s Missionary Vision
The primary suspect for the multiple, co-ordinated terrorist attacks on the United States, Osama Bin Laden, aside from his extensive business and terrorist connections, is also a major sponsor of Islamic missionary activity. Bin Laden has been a financial contributor to the Islamic Propagation Centre International, based in Durban, South Africa. I have visited the IPCI on numerous occasions and debated these Muslim extremists in the biggest Mosque in the Southern Hemisphere. The IPCI credited Bin Laden with personally financing the translation of the Qur’an into Zulu. He has been known to make donations of up to $1,000,000 at a time to the IPCI. Clearly Bin Laden is a radical Islamicist with a broad strategy and a world vision. His hatred for America is apparently more religiously motivated than political. Although many would see America as a secular country with a large number of Christians, to radical Islamicists like Bin Laden, America is the largest and strongest Christian nation on earth and the primary supporter of Christian missions worldwide. By striking at the financial centre of America, one of his aims could have been to cause a drop in support for Christian missions – even as he helps finance a massive continent wide Islamic offensive to turn Africa into a Muslim continent. A Global Agenda The multi-national Al-Qa’ida organisation set up by Bin Laden during the time he was based in Sudan (1991–1996) seeks the "global radicalization of existing Islamic groups and the creation of radical Islamic groups where none existed. Al-Qa’ida supports Muslim fighters in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, Tajikistan, Somalia, Yemen and now Kosovo. It also trains members of terrorist organisations from ... Philippines, Algeria and Eritrea. Al-Qa’ida’s goal is to unite all Muslims and to establish a government which follows the rule of the Caliphas … by force … to overthrow nearly all Muslim governments, which are … corrupt, to drive Western influence from those countries, and eventually to abolish state boundaries." (Al-Qa’ida, FAS 17/9/01) "Africa For Islam" In October 1995 Muammar Gaddafi hosted a two-week conference in Tripoli, which was attended by Muslim leaders from 80 countries. At this Muslim Leaders Conference, strategies to transform Africa into an Islamic continent were discussed. Participants openly admitted that their goals were to make Arabic the official language of the continent and Islam the official religion. One South African member of Parliament, Farouk Cassim declared: "It will probably be the biggest revolution to sweep Africa." The head of the Islamic Propagation Centre International (IPCI) at that time, Yousuf Deedat, announced afterwards that South Africa was high on the agenda of the Islamic offensive: "We are going to turn South Africa into a Muslim state. We have the money to do it," he said (Sunday Times, 22/10/95). At present, less than 2% of South Africans are Muslims. About 40% of the population of Africa are Muslims. 17 of the 55 countries in Africa are officially Islamic states. Understanding Jihad What few Westerners understand is that Muslim leaders who call for the overthrow of all governments and the establishment of an Islamic superstate controlling all aspects of life, for every person on earth, are not necessarily extremists on the fringe of Islam. Jihad, the subjugation and forcible conversion of all people to Islam and world domination are, in fact, central tenants of Islam. Jihad is the sixth pillar of Islam. Jihad was so important to Muhammad that he declared it to be the second most important deed in Islam. "Allah’s apostle was asked, ‘What is the best deed?’ He replied, ‘To believe in Allah and his apostle.’ The questioner then asked, ‘What is the next (in goodness)?’ He replied, ‘To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s cause.’ " – The Hadith, Al Bukhari, Vol. 1 no 25. Now, of course, most Muslims are neither terrorists nor terrorist sympathisers. While many Muslims publicly rejoiced over the news of the horrific terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C., most did not. We need to be careful not to blame all Muslims for what certain individuals do in the name of Islam. Of course, those peace-loving, law-abiding Muslims are not being consistent with the Jihad teachings of the Qur’an. They are probably more influenced by the Christian ideal of loving your neighbour than the Islamic doctrine of Jihad. Quranic Roots Of Jihad In fact, Muslims are often allies of Christians in the campaigns against gambling, pornography, homosexuality, abortion, evolutionism and atheism. Muslims and Christians also agree that God is both the Creator and the eternal Judge of the whole world and everyone in it. However, it is important for us to recognise the Quranic roots which are quoted by the Muslim terrorists to support their atrocities. If this violent position does not represent Mainstream Islam, Muslim leaders must clearly denounce the literal application of these Jihad verses and declare apostate all Muslims who resort to terrorism as murderers destined to an eternity in hell. The Quran teaches that Muslims are superior to all others: "Ye (Muslims) are the best of peoples evolved for mankind …" Surah 3:110. Muslims are forbidden to befriend Jews or Christians. "O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors. They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is one of them …" Surah 5:54 Islam instructs its adherents to fight until all their opponents submit. Christians and Jews may be spared if they pay "Jizya" – a penalty tax – with willing submission. "Fight those who believe not in God nor the last day … Nor acknowledge the religion of truth, (even if they are) of the people of the Book, until they pay Jizya (tribute taxes) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." Surah 9:29 "Fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait (ambush) for them in every strategem (of war)." Surah 9:5 (also 2:193) "Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; at length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them); thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: until the war lays down its burdens, thus (are ye commanded)". Surah 47:4 For those who resist Islam – execution or mutilation is decreed: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his apostle, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution or crucifixion, or the cutting off the hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land …" Surah 5:36 Now, all of these texts appear to be contradicted by Surah 2:256, which states: "Let there be no compulsion in religion." But there seems a clear break between the early Muhammad, and the later Muhammad. The early Muhammad was married to only one wife, Khadeja, courageously spoke out against idolatry and polytheism in Mecca and encouraged friendship with the Christians. The later Muhammad, after the death of his first wife and flight to Medina, accumulated at least 14 more wives, including 9 year old Aisha, started raiding caravans, massacred 600 Jews for failing to acknowledge him as the prophet, and propagated the doctrine of Jihad. In a sense, there are two Muhammad’s and two Qurans. The early pre-Medina Surahs demonstrate tolerance and respect for Christians, whereas the later Surahs unleashed Jihad. The Benefits Of Jihad In the Mishkat the rewards for participation in Jihad are spelled out: "the Messenger of Allah said: To, whichever village you go … its one fifth is for Allah and his Messenger and the remainder is for you." (Mishkat II, page 412). " … the soldiers of Islam fought tooth and nail. They would get Paradise in case of death in a holy war, and booties in case of conquest, Jihad is therefore the best source of all acquisitions." (Mishkat II, page 440). "Jihad is one of the chief meritorious acts in the eye of Islam and it is the best source of earnings." (Mishkat II, page 340). "This is the best method of earning both spiritual and temporal. If victory is won, there is enormous booty and conquest of a country, which cannot be equalled to any other source of earning. If there is defeat or death, there is everlasting Paradise and a great spiritual benefit. This sort of Jihad is conditional upon pure motive, i.e. for establishing the kingdom of Allah on earth." (Mishkat II, page 253). In the Hadith, Muhammad is quoted as decreeing that Muslims may not be punished for killing a non-Muslim: "No Muslims should be killed for killing a kafir (infidel)." (vol. 9:50) Those who die in holy war are guaranteed to go to Heaven. "The person who participates in Jihad (Holy battles) in Allah’s cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and his apostle, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to paradise (if he is killed)." (vol. 1:35) Many assume that the concept of Jihad, or holy war, is an aberration not truly representative of Islam. Some leaders have stated that "Islam teaches a God of love just like Christianity and Judaism" and "no religion condones violence or terrorism." Unfortunately that is not true. Islam is no ordinary religion. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12 Sharia And The House Of War Islam divides the world into two sectors: Dar-al-Islam (the House of Islam) and Dar-al-Harb (The House of War). The only countries considered to be at peace are those where Islamic law (the Sharia) is enforced. All other countries, as part of Dar-al-Harb, are considered legitimate targets. It is significant that the calendar of Islam does not begin with the birth of Muhammad, nor the onset of his "revelations", nor the assembling of the first Muslim community, nor the flight of Muslim refugees to Abyssinia. The 12 years of persecution in Mecca were not considered the start of their new religion. The Muslim calendar only begins when Islam became a political state, under Sharia Law, in Medina. Islam in Arabic means submission, surrender or subjugation. A Muslim is one who submits. The Arabic word for peace is Salam. Islam is the active form of Salam. Muslims see themselves as a "peace-making force" using argument, intrigue, commerce, threats, terrorism, warfare and every other means possible to secure Islam as the only religion worldwide. "And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevails justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere." Surah 8:39 In the light of these teachings, it should be no surprise to learn that since 1948, the 21 Arab countries have suffered 30 wars, 63 successful revolutions, at least 75 unsuccessful revolutions, and 36 heads of state were murdered. In the Arab world, revolutions and assassinations have been the most prevalent means of political expression and attaining power. One out of every three barrels of oil sold by the Mideast has gone to pay for weapons. (Muslim Misery in the Middle East, www.frontline.org.za). The Many Faces Of Jihad It may be hard for Christians to understand the concept of such a militant religion, but the primary aim of Islam is not spiritual but political. (One exception to this would be the Sufi’s – mystical Muslims who re-interpret these Jihad passages to apply to a spiritual fight against sin). The ultimate purpose of Islam is the establishment by force of a worldwide Islamic state where Sharia law is enforced on all. To achieve this is the goal of Jihad. Islamic scholars identify a multitude of forms that Jihad can take: There is the Jihad of Words, using oratory, in a war of nerves, to inspire their own side, and to undermine the morale of the enemy; the Jihad of Deception to confuse the enemy; the Jihad of the Sword to kill the enemy, loot his possessions and take hostages for ransom; the Jihad of Taxation on non-Muslims and Financial Reward to provide incentives for converts to Islam; theJihad of Slavery as a weapon to subjugate non-Muslims and as an economic incentive for the mujahadeens (or holy warriors); the Jihad of Sharia Law which degrades non-Muslims to a lower status, denied equal access to the law because their testimony is not valid against a Muslim; theJihad of Polygamy which is designed to give Muslims a disproportionate numerical advantage through having up to 4 wives at a time; and the Jihad of the Spirits. (For more information see Jihad - Islamic Holy War on FF’s website: www.frontline.org.za.) Jihad And "The Crusades" Inevitably when one deals with the contemporary problem of Islamic Jihad, someone will bring up the historical issue of the Christian Crusades. Of course, the word crusade does not appear in the Bible nor is it commanded in Scripture. However, Jihad is both commanded in the Quran and practised by numerous Muslim groups and governments today. To put the Crusades in their proper context, one needs to study the rapid expansion of Islam, by the sword, across North Africa, into Spain, throughout Asia Minor and into the Balkans. The Islamic Jihad of the seventh to the tenth centuries wiped out more than half of the church worldwide. Prior to this, Christianity was the predominant religion of North Africa and the Middle East. The Crusades of the Middle Ages were a reaction to the Islamic invasion of the Holy Lands (those places where our Lord was born, lived and ministered, was crucified and raised from the dead) and centuries of Islamic Jihad. The Saracens (as the Muslim invaders were called) had desecrated Christian places of worship and were severely persecuting Christians. Pilgrims were being prevented from visiting those sites sacred to their faith. To this day many Muslims continue their "holy war" against Christians - for example in Sudan. Millions of Christians have been slaughtered through the centuries by Islamic militants – such as the over 1 500 000 Armenians murdered in Turkey in 1915. Jihad And Colonialism Others have sought to justify the Islamic practise of Jihad because they were "victims of colonialism"! This is quite a bizarre argument because the Muslim Arabs have been, perhaps, the most pervasive colonialists in history. Within the first century after Muhammad’s death, the tribes of Arabia under the Caliphas had conquered Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Persia, parts of Byzantia and even parts of France. The Muslim conquerors then enforced Arabic as the official medium of communication throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Only Turkey and Persia resisted this policy of Arabisation with any success. Over 3200 churches were destroyed or converted into mosques during the first century of Islamic Jihad alone. The Muslim argument that Jihad was only waged in self-defense is therefore unconvincing. What were Arabians defending in Spain? The Christian Blacks in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains describe their conflict as a war of de-colonialisation from the Arab North. Jihad And Slavery After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century the practice of slavery declined throughout Europe. But the spread of Islam in the 7th century led to a great revival of the institution of slavery, especially in Africa. Great merchant camel caravans travelled beyond the Sahara to the vast Savannah, which the Arabs called the Sudan (or "the land of the Black People"). These caravans brought back long lines of Black slaves for the Arab households and palaces on the Mediterranean. Male household servants were routinely castrated. Most babies born to Black slaves in the harems were drowned or killed at birth – to maintain Arab numerical superiority. One Arab writer in the 9th century, justified this flourishing trade: "the kings of the Blacks sell their own people without justification or in consequence of war." (History of Slavery, Susanne Everett, 1996). The horrors of the Islamic slave trade were well documented by explorers like David Livingstone, Samuel Baker, and the British Anti-Slavery Commissioner in East Africa, Sir John Kirk. These men set thousands of slaves free. The Arab slave market in Zanzibar sold an average of 200 to 300 slaves every day, even as late as the 1870’s. At one time, seven out of every eight Black people in Sudan were slaves. The British Governor, General Charles Gordon, crushed the slave trade in Sudan, losing his life and being beheaded in the process. In recent years slavery has resurfaced in Sudan under the National Islamic Front government. "Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood … ruin and destruction mark their ways." Isaiah 59: 6 –7 The Sudan Connection After the bombing attacks on the United States Embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam on 7 August 1998 (which left over 260 dead and 5000 injured) the US bombed targets in Sudan and Afghanistan, claiming that those governments supported Bin Laden’s terrorist network. The US State Department’s April 2001"Overview of State-sponsored Terrorism" report states that "Sudan continued to be used as a safe haven by members of various groups, including associates of Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qa’ida organisation, … Egyptian Islamic Jihad, the Palestine Islamic Jihad and Hamas." "It was in Sudan that Bin Laden built the framework for his Al-Qa’ida terrorist group, which has branches around the world and thousands of young warriors willing to die in their Jihad against the United States and its allies. The Sudanese regime really gave birth to Osama Bin Laden, the terrorist." (National Post, Canada, 14/9/01). "Most drinks contain gum arabic … Much of it is produced in Sudan by the Gum Arabic Company, in which Bin Laden … has owned a large slice … he has already earned tens of millions of pounds from the soft-drinks industry – providing years of finance for his Islamic terrorists. ‘It is possible that every time someone buys an American soft drink, they are helping to fill Osama Bin Laden’s coffers …’ " (The Sunday Telegraph, London, 16/4/01). Despite being forced by American pressure in 1996 to move his main base of operations from Sudan (whose government remains sympathetic to him) to Afghanistan, "Bin Laden continues to control millions of dollars in businesses in Sudan. This includes construction companies, farming, banking and oil exploitation. Analysts say that he helped finance the oil pipeline from Khartoum…" (National Post, Canada, 14/9/01). The terrorist inclinations of the National Islamic Front government of Sudan, which hosted Bin Laden, is attested to by the savage way in which they continue to wage war against the Christian Blacks of Southern Sudan. "In addition to the air attacks … male villagers were killed in mass executions; women and children were nailed to trees with iron spikes … soldiers slit the throats of children and killed male prisoners who had been interrogated by hammering nails into their foreheads. In Panyejie, last July, people had been crushed by tanks and strafed by helicopter gunships." ("Sudan – The Human Price of Oil" by Amnesty International, May 2000). Governments That Support Terrorism If the US government is really serious about targeting not only the terrorists that struck New York and Washington D.C., but all those who sponsor and support terrorism, then that would have to include the National Islamic Front government of Sudan. And as Freedom Quest pointed out: Talisman Energy, China National Petroleum Corp., Petronas of Malaysia, Lundin Oil of Sweden and OMV of Austria, by investing in Sudan are not only fueling the Jihad against the Christian Black South, but they are "partners with a regime that supports world terrorism." (Sudaninfo, 17/9/01) Many of the governments which rushed to condemn the terrorist attacks on the US were being less than consistent. Many of those leaders condemning the "barbaric", "insane", "slaughter of innocent civilians" themselves came to power through terrorist bomb blasts, and random acts of violence against civilians. Fidel Castro, for example, not only came to power through terrorism – but he stays in power by state terrorism. Castro has had 17 000 Cubans executed and 100 000 imprisoned – for political reasons alone. Not surprisingly, over 2 million Cubans have fled from his "workers paradise." (The Black Book of Communism, 1999) One politician, who at least was honest, was the African National Congress (ANC) Premier of the Eastern Cape. Makhenkesi Stofile questioned the term "terrorist" to describe the hijackers and suicide bombers. Stofile referred to them as "guerillas" saying: "Even us (ANC members) when we fought in the struggle, we were called terrorists." Stofile said that he was not personally shocked by the attacks. The ANC officially distanced themselves from the Premier’s views (Business Day, 14/9/01). This brings up an important point. Many of the governments with which the US maintains friendly relations not only came to power through terrorism, but maintain close relations with terrorist regimes hostile to the United States. The ANC government of South Africa has close ties with Fidel Castro (Cuba), Muammar Gaddafi (Libya), Yassar Arafat (Palestine) and General Al Bashir (Sudan). All of these men have been welcomed and hosted as state guests of honour in South Africa. If the US President seriously wants to deal with all the sponsors of terrorism, he would also have to look at the United Nations (UN), the World Council of Churches (WCC) the Foreign Office and the US State Department. It is a fact of history that, despite the US Department of Defense listing the African National Congress (ANC) as a terrorist organisation, even as late as 1988, the US State Department worked hard to bring the ANC to power in South Africa. And the UN and World Council of Churches provided funds to support Marxist terrorist groups in Southern Africa. ZANU, ZAPU, Frelimo, SWAPO, ANC and PAC were all beneficiaries of US taxpayer funds, entrusted to the UN; and a portion of US church-goers’ offerings went to the National Council of Churches. And then on to the WCC who in turn gave to Marxist terrorists, who murdered missionaries, burned down churches, shot down civilian airliners, placed car bombs in public streets, land mines on farm roads and burned hundreds of people alive in the streets. The state-sponsored terrorism of President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe is, in large measure, the fruit of UN, WCC, Commonwealth, British Foreign Office and US State Department policies in the 1970’s. However, having succeeded in forcing Mugabe and his terrorist ZANU upon the people of Rhodesia in 1980, the UN, WCC, Foreign Office and US State Department have seemed loathe to acknowledge the disaster they helped set in motion. Now, 21 years later, Mugabe continues to incite his followers with vicious racist tirades against all Whites and Jews, and to steal and loot farms and businesses, terrorise Supreme Court justices, bomb opposition newspaper offices, imprison critics and murder farmers and opposition members. (Cry Zimbabwe, Peter Stiff, 2000) Jihad Against Christians Fresh violence erupted in Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, on 11 September, as Muslim youths came onto the streets of Jos, shouting "Allah Akbar" and celebrating the news of the successful terror attacks against America. Soon, hundreds were dead in vicious street fighting between the Muslims and Christians. Many hundreds of churches have been destroyed and thousands of Christians killed by Muslim militants in Northern Nigeria. (The Citizen, 13/9/01) In the Philippines and Indonesia, Christians continue to be beheaded and churches destroyed by Muslim terrorists. In Sudan, churches, hospitals, schools and mission stations have been subjected to repeated aerial bombardments by the National Islamic Front government of Sudan. A Christian Response So what should be our response to the recent terror attacks and the ongoing Jihad against so many Christians worldwide? Firstly, we need to recognise that this terrorism and anti-Christian persecution is originating from the least evangelised area of the world – the Middle East. The birthplace of the Church is now the most needy mission field on earth. If we truly want to uproot the support bases of such terrorism and implode the regimes that persecute Christians, we need to get really serious about the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18 - 20). This will mean recognising that we are already in a spiritual world war. And the only reason why the devil is so often winning is because the Church is so seldom fighting! We must not just retreat into our barracks to sing our battle songs – we must attack strongholds. We must not only talk about our spiritual weapons – we must use them. We must not only praise our Commanding Officer – we must obey Him. And the best form of defence is attack. Now civil government has a ministry of justice. Under God they have a Biblical duty to protect their citizens, by bearing "the sword" and being "an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4) That is their job. Our duty in the Christian Church is to be a ministry of grace. We are to be "a house of prayer for all nations" (Mark 11:17); preaching "repentance and forgiveness of sins … to all nations" (Luke 24:47); making disciples of all nations and teaching obedience to all things that the Lord has commanded. (Matthew 28: 19-20). We have a unique opportunity at this time of crisis to effectively proclaim the Gospel of Christ to Muslims all over the world. Instead of reacting with anger or malice, let us seek God’s grace to reach out to our Muslim neighbours in Christian love. This is the time when we can openly and politely discuss the differences between the Gospel and example of Christ and the teachings and actions of Muhammad. We can share our personal testimony and challenge Muslims to consider the claims of Christ. We can obtain and give Christian literature or Bibles to Muslims in our neighbourhood and we should invest in Christian radio programmes specifically designed to reach Muslims. Then we should wholeheartedly support missionary work in Muslim countries. If Bin Laden can invest in translating the Quran into African languages and finance massive print runs of Islamic literature – then how much more should we as Christians invest in Bible translations and Christian literature! By God’s grace, Frontline Fellowship has already distributed over 200 000 Bibles and Christian books (much in Arabic) throughout Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains. We must do much more in future. You must also receive more specialised training in evangelism and particularly Muslim Evangelism. Frontline Fellowship has designed a Muslim Evangelism Workshop – with manual and audiotapes to help you be more effective in reaching Muslims for Christ. We also recommend Evangelism Explosion and SIM’s Life Challenge training programmes. "The desert tribes will bow down to Him and His enemies will lick the dust ... all kings will bow down to Him and all nations will serve Him." Psalm 72: 9-11 In addition, we must rediscover the imprecatory Psalms, the prayers for justice in the Bible. Many of the Psalms deal with the grief and trauma caused by treachery and violence. They channel our anguish and frustration in a positive way by appealing to God in prayer. Seeking justice from God is not only constructive and therapeutic, but of immense spiritual power. (See: War Psalms of the Prince of Peace by James Adams or Praying for Justice from FF). "God will crush the heads of His enemies ... of those who go on in their sins." Psalm 68:21 In the month after the terror attacks, my family and our staff prayed through the Psalms at meal times. The Psalms are the prayer book of the Bible – I recommend that you pray through at least one Psalm each day. Make the Psalms the daily prayer of your heart. It will revive your prayer life. Terrorist attacks like those on 11 September 2001 should remind us that even the best security systems can fail to prevent such disasters. We need to rediscover God as our ultimate protection. Governments should recognise their need for supernatural aid in defending its people and defeating terrorism. The elected representatives should incorporate respect and obedience to Almighty God into the constitution and public policy of the nation. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Psalm 33:12 A good place to begin would be to gather everyone for reading a chapter of Proverbs and praying a Psalm each day (either at the beginning of the day or at lunch time)in schools, army bases, businesses and government departments. Preparing For Eternity We do not know when, or under what circumstances, our lives will come to an end. We do, however, know that when we die we will stand before Almighty God – our Creator and Eternal Judge – and we will have to give an account of our lives to Him. If you had died in those terror attacks of 11 September – where would you be now? And what would you be regretting? "... it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the Judgement ." Hebrews 9: 27 We need to work out our priorities in the light of eternity. We need to invest our time, talents and treasure into those things which are going to last for eternity: the people of God, the Word of God and the Kingdom of God. These are what are ultimately important. You must be ready at all times for that which may happen at any time. Are you ready? "Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last." Dr. Peter Hammond Related Resources:- 3 films on 1 DVD Slavery, Terrorism and Islam - The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat See Also; The End of Islam
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