Shot Heard 'Round the World - Quran Burning

By Justin Edwards

AP

If my life was not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, I would be very afraid of the coming days and weeks following the planned Quran burning on September 11, 2010 led by Dove World Outreach Center pastor Terry Jones. I am generally very weary of subjective feelings, but yesterday I couldn't help but literally feel the spiritual warfare taking place. And this war is raging.

After initially posting on this Quran burning yesterday in an effort to publicly rebuke and call these people to repentance (HERE), the implications of this burning began to really sink in and weighed on my heart all day long.

Folks, this is serious - deadly serious.

This is so serious that I think it has the potential to spark something unimaginable in the minds of secular people, yet something predictable in the minds of born again Christians as far as the end-times are concerned. As small as this 50-member church is, as little as they represent genuine disciples of Jesus Christ, they may have the fate of the world in the palm of their hands, humanly speaking.

History has shown that it does not take much of anything to send nations to war. The American Revolutionary War and World War I is historical proof of that, and I believe September 11, 2010 may initiate the same.

This Quran burning may indeed be another "shot heard 'round the world".

It is obvious that American troops, military bases, American embassies, and other American assets will be at risk. In fact, the mere rhetoric coming from Terry Jones may have already put us past the point of no return. But there is more to consider, much more.

Terrorism. Islamists have already waged war against the West and are seeking to bring the world under the bloody grip of Sharia law through the caliphate once again. This is in fact a mandate of Islam whose last caliphate fell with the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. The terrorist attacks over the last century have proved this politically fascist ideology has not lost its charge since Muhammad founded the religion in the 6th century. The tentacles of Islam are vast through contemporary society, and the militant wing of Islam has done well to shred freedoms around the world through the efforts of the Muslim Brotherhood, HAMAS, the PLO, Hezbollah, al Qaida, splinter organizations of these terrorist groups, and of course state-sponsors of terrorism such as Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria.

It is clear that Islam needs no excuse to wage their war of jihad. But, a Quran burning will most certainly encourage to ramp up their efforts.

Terrorism is coming to a city near you. Consider the European riots sparked by a caricature of Muhammad or remarks made by the pope. It takes hardly a word to bring fundamental Muslims to protest, oftentimes violently. Burning the Islamic text is surely to bring suicide bombings, mass shootings, or worse, the use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction. We have been long overdue for another terrorist strike, and these antics may serve to break the camel's back for the terrorists to proceed with their plans.

The rhetoric from protesters says it all - and I take them seriously,

"If Quran is burned it would be beginning of destruction of America," read one English-language banner held up by the protesters, who chanted "Down with America!" (source)

I do not say these things to strike fear in you. I am hardly a fearmongerer. I just can't help but think what this silly charade will cause. And terrorism may not be the worst of it.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ are now at risk around the world. Missionaries and Christians in Muslim-dominated countries will especially be at risk - Indonesia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Palestinian territories, Syria, Sudan, and Lebanon.

I do not have to tell you a common form of execution by Islamists is decapitation. Public beheading. When will we see the first casualty from this abhorrent ignorance of Dove Outreach? When will the first breaking news report be heard of a mass shooting - execution style or firing line - of born again Christians? By following through with the Quran burning, Terry Jones and his flock do not love the brethren - in fact, they hate the brethren.

We know that Christian persecution has always existed and will increase as we near the return of Jesus Christ. And although this 50-member congregation is anything but representative of the Body of Christ, they may very well be the cause of a significant increase in Christian persecution worldwide. The government already considers us "right wing extremists", and this will only encourage the left to crack down on our religious freedoms.

What I see happening as a result of the Quran burnings is nothing short of devastating. Who knew a single "pastor" and 50 followers could have so much power and influence to send the world into a frenzy and play such a potentially significant role in moving things forward on the prophetic time line.

We at the least will see mass violent protests, and I find it very plausible we will see major acts of terrorism, war, Christian executions, and significant loss of freedoms.

In these last 2 days before the scheduled Quran burning, I ask that you join me in prayer for the protection of born again Christians around the world. I ask that you pray the veil will be lifted from the blind eyes of the people at Dove World Outreach and the Holy Spirit will draw them to repentance. Pray that God will use Christians to be bold in denouncing these hateful acts and that He will be glorified through our testimony. Pray that God will protect our troops and any other body that has the potential to experience this backlash. And pray for the hearts of Muslims to be softened so they can respond to the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ who gives us the peace that passes all understanding and sets us free from the spiritual and religious bondage the world and the prince of the world offers.

There is still time for Terry Jones to renounce his intentions to burn the Quran. You can contact him through the Dove World Outreach website.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

¹⁵ Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. - Titus 2:11-15