In history, this has been their method. In “World History and cultures” by George T. Thompson and Laurel Elizabeth Hicks history record the persecution of the Church (A.D. 98-313) thus: “At the end of the apostolic age, the Church was a movement of some 500,000 believers meeting in local assemblies scattered throughout part of Africa, Asia and Europe. The fire of fierce persecution now descended upon the church as Satan hurled his venom against the Christians in a rain attempt to squelch their witness of Jesus Christ. (The word martyr means, “a witness” in Greek). However, the unconquerable faith and patience exhibited by the martyrs in the face of torture and death caused the ranks of the Christians to swell with new converts. As the church father Tertullian declared: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Between A.D 64 and 313, there were ten great persecutions of Christians in the period of persecution as the most powerful and dying empire”. “Under Nero in A. D. 64, during the reign of demented, depraved Nero (A.D.54-68) Multitudes of believers were crucified or torn to pieces by savage dogs; still others were covered with parch and used as human touches in the emperor’s garden at night. According to early tradition, the Apostle Paul was beheaded by Nero at Rome in this persecution; he was not tortured because he still a Roman citizen. The Apostle Peter, however, was not so fortunate; condemned to crucified, he insisted on being crucified upside down because he did no deem himself worthy to die in the same manner as his master”.
What should be response of Christians and non-Muslims to Boko Haram insurgent and Islamic jihadists attack? (a) Watch: be aware about on-goings around you. Who are your stewards, drivers, domestic staff, electricians, janitors and plumbers who work in your house repairs? Who is your security guard? Who is your personal Assistant, front desk officer? Who are you doing business with or partners in business? Where do you go to and frequent to spend your leisure time on recreation. Get necessary information on security and activities of terrorists especially Boko Haram and Islamic Jihadists. The Bible say be vigilant (I Pet. 5:8) and watchful (Mt. 26:41). Pray and praise God: Prayer is a weapon to resist onslaught of terrorist and attack of Boko Haram. Praising God ambushed terrorist attack. God inhabit praise and uses prayer and praise of God’s people to disarm, confuse and overcome onslaught of terrorists attack of the nation of Israel under the leadership of Nehemiah who prayed to God (see Neh.4:4 -6). The Church prayed and Apostle Peter was released from detention (see Acts 12: 5 12). By prayer and praise to God you release the awesome power of God, the Chief security Officer and protector of all lives to enforce security and protection against terrorism.
Arm yourself with security gadgets to defend yourself and properties: Nehemiah 4: 13-18, “13Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 15And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. 16And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. 18For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.”
Christians must not turn the other cheek when attacked by intruders, terrorist, murderers and Islamic jihadists. Turning the other cheek is a defense against an offender to reduce the degree of punishment. This is a cultural practice in Israel not the practice when someone want to take your life and destroy your property. Hence when Haman plot to kill all Jewish people, the people of God through Queen Esther got the King to enact a new decree to reverse earlier decree which now empowered them to defend themselves against the plot of their enemy to eliminate them. The people of Israel defended themselves well armed to overcome terrorism. Esther and her Jewish people fasted and prayed, armed themselves and defended themselves (see Esther chapters 3, 4, 8). Esther 9:1 17, “1Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) 2The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.” “ 3And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. 5Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. 6And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, 10The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. 11On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. 12And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done. 13Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. 14And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons. 15For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. 16But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, 17On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.”
From these scriptures, it is clear God sanction self defense against terrorism and any form of attempt to kill and destroy property. It is an error to turn the other cheek when being attacked by terrorists and Islamic jihadists. You don’t turn the other cheek when someone want to kill you and destroy your property. Christians acquire sophisticated security gargets, arm yourself, have escorts and kill whoever that wants to kill you and loot your property. It is scriptural (See Ex. 22:2, 21:24, Lev. 24: 20, Deut. 19:21), “Whoever sheds man’s blood by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man” (Gen, 9:6). God here says that whoever shed blood should be killed. When man erred, God took security measure to place angels armed with sword to keep off intruders from the tree of life and knowledge (see Gen. 3:22-24). Jesus had security guards, his disciples armed. Hence when the Jews came to arrest Jesus, Peter with the sword cut off Marcus ear. Jesus did not ask Peter to throw away the sword but to put it back in its place (see Mt. 26:52- 54). Finally Christians put on your armour of faith and declare the decree to disarm and put all terrorists, blood thirsty Boko Haram and Islamic Jihadists to flight-out of existence. (See Eph. 6:10-18 cp Ps 2:8, Job 22:28-29). Terrorism and violence are instrument of God’s judgment in the hands of infidels and wicked people to kill, main and destroy lives and properties (Jer. 15:8; Ezek. 21, 12). God promise to the Christian believer, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day; Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday” (Ps. 91:5-6). First Peter 3:13-16, “13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” “For God, Knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Pet. 2:9).
Christians should exercise faith in God to overcome terrorism, Boko Haram insurgence and Islamic Jihadists attack (Read Hebrew Chapter 11). Exercise faith in God by prayer (see Isaiah 50: 6 11, Ezra 8:21-23). David praised and prayed for deliverance from violence (2 Sam. 22:1 -4) When they plotted to kill Apostle Paul, he got soldiers to provide security and defended himself by enforcing his right as a citizen of that place (see Acts 21: 30 -35, 22:23 -29; 23: 9 24). Christians should not allow themselves to be slaughter by Boko Haram and Islamic Judaists. They must take steps to enforce their rights. Right to life protection, association and disassociation, self defense and what have you. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) should take the initiative to get security agencies to protect Christian believers all over Nigeria. They should disassociate from meetings with Islamic organizations and any bank that enforce Shariah laws or Islamic Banking. CAN and PFN should place demand on Government to carryout their duties of providing security of lives and properties of God’s people, the Christians. God hates violence (Ps. 11:5). Scriptures predict violence in the land (see Jer. 51:46, Ezek. 7:11, 23). Do no violence to any person (Luke 3:14). I decree no more violence attack on Christians and churches in Jesus Christ name, Amen (Isa. 60: 18). Evil shall hurt the violent man (PS. 140:11) God shall deliver you from violent (Ps. 18: 48). The end has come for Boko Haram insurgence and Islamic jihadists attack on Christians and churches. Any person or group of persons under any guise to unleashed unprovoked attack on Christians and churches shall hence forth be destroyed in Jesus’ Name, Amen! ###
Dr. Akpogena
08055059656
