From My Perspective - - -

A New Year has begun and many have made resolutions for the coming year. What did your list of Resolutions contain? How are you doing so far – keeping them all or promising yourself you’ll begin tomorrow for certain? That’s how it is with Resolutions – easy to make but difficult to begin and maintain. Resolution is more than a list of what one will or will not do. Resolution is much larger in terms of perspective and application. As the Congress of the United States convenes this week, some have been making bold Resolutions about what they will do and - if met with resistance – alternatives that will attain the goal. It will be fascinating and interesting to see how many of these Resolutions will gain traction, and how quickly they will be compromised.

In the world, most people would champion Peace as a worthy Resolution. Can that – will that – be followed through and be an accomplishment. Will Israel and the Palestinians get together and discuss what is in the best interests of all occupants in the Middle East? Will Iran lessen its rhetoric about and pursuit of Nuclear dominance in the Middle East? Will they silence their aspirations regarding Israel’s extinction? Will their be reasonable containment of North Korea? What about Afghanistan – how many more years should the United States pursue nation building in that difficult area? What about Egypt and the view and attitude toward the Coptic Church? Can there be Resolution in terms of any persecution against non-Islamic citizens of that nation? How can those whose objective is Revolution become convinced that Resolution should be the direction and action? How can a people be convinced to change the letter “V” (as in Re”V”olution) to become an “S” (as in Re”S”olution)? It seems so remote and almost impossible.

The culture of the United States has so little understanding about Persecution in the world. We seem so removed and remote to the ambitions of Dictators and other Despotic heads of State and people groups. The news contains stories about the bomb blast that killed 21 and wounded 27 Egyptians while they were attending a Coptic Church Service in Alexandria on New Year’s Day. What we haven’t been told so far is that the word "Coptic" was originally used to refer to Egyptians in general but it has undergone a semantic shift over the centuries to mean more specifically Egyptian Christians. This shift dates back to the time when Christians became an Egyptian minority, after the Muslim Conquest of Egypt in the 7th Century, Copts in Egypt constitute the largest Christian community in the Middle East, as well as the largest religious minority in the region - 10% or less of a population of over 83 million Egyptians. This event occurred at the outset of an important part of Coptic Worship and Ritual, as they approach the day for the Coptic Celebration of Christmas. As an aftermath, it is now reported that Security will also to be beefed up at churches for Coptic Christmas which Copts celebrate on January 7.

A man was called upon to Pray for the Persecuted Church during a Worship Service. He openly prayed that he had no knowledge of what was going on in the world. It might have been wise if the Minister had read a passage of Scripture prior to the Prayer, namely, Matthew 5:10-12, Where Jesus stated in the Beatitudes – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” We have been instructed about Persecution – we just don’t grasp the reality of it – yet! The New Living Translation is – “God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.” As you remember that the ancient Prophets were persecuted, remember that modern day people are also being persecuted because of their belief system and different objective of their faith. The question is: Are YOU prepared to suffer today for righteousness’ sake? Answer Carefully – it could be closer than you think!  Consider these things with me!