The Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is being pressured by the government of Iran to recant his Christian faith and accept Islam. If he does so they will spare his life and set him free.
But he stands firm and continually refuses to do so. Praise the Lord!
CBN NEWS – Iranian officials are continuing to pressure detained Pastor to deny his Christian faith “and accept the prophet Muhammad as his savior.”
The American Center for Law and Justice, which is working closely with Nadarkhani’s case, confirmed Tuesday that the pastor was recently asked again to recant his faith.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Nadarkhani was given the option to be freed from prison if he accepted Muhammad as “a messenger sent by God.”
“Local authorities indicated they would release the pastor if he agreed to make the statement regarding the prophet Mohammed. However, Pastor Nadarkhani has refused to do so, and remains in prison awaiting a final decision on his case,” the group said in a statement dated Jan. 13.
These demands have been put on Nadarkhani at least three times before by Iranian officials.
When asked to renounce his faith at his latest trial last September, Nadarkhani responded, “I cannot,” and has continued to refuse.
“Rather than uphold its legal obligations under the rule of law, which requires it free Pastor Youcef and allow him to peacefully practice Christianity, Iran yet again obliterates any credibility it might have held with the international community,” ACLJ International Legal Director Tiffany Barrans said.
The Iranian court that heard Nadarkhani’s case promised a decision on the pastor’s release more than a month ago.
So far, a ruling has yet to be made.
This is who Jesus was talking about:
Luke 21:12-16 “…they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.”
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”
My own heart is rending as I read these scriptures above and I think about this man potentially becoming a martyr for Jesus, standing firm in his faith before an evil theocracy and the world, refusing to submit to evil even when he’s up against his own death.
To God be the glory! And may His glory fill the whole world because of Youcef Nadarkhani!
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