A mystery we deal with as Christians is the apparent silence of heaven that we often experience. It is encouraging that the Scriptures do reference such silence. How often have we prayed, “How long O Lord?”, often about the same thing for months or even years, seemingly without answer. It can be an illness that we can’t seem to get relief from; someone in the family that is holding God at arm’s length; perhaps a work issue; or the seemingly endless plague of poverty we can’t seem to escape. How many of us can relate to this?
Then there are the really big things that cause us to pray the same prayer, “How long O Lord?” People find themselves engulfed in circumstances completely out of their control. Circumstances like famine, earthquakes, floods, pandemics, war, persecution, just to name a few. Doesn’t God have the power to stop them? What about killers like Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Stalin, or Hitler? Couldn’t God have stopped them? One cannot help thinking of all the innocents –especially the children–who have endured indescribable atrocities? The silence of God in the light of such pain and evil, and His apparent delay in bringing justice to His suffering people, are difficult things to answer, because there is no simple answer. We can preach sermons about the things in our lives that might be a hindrance to the answers to prayer, and they might be valid, but what about the martyrs? We have the example of the martyrs mentioned in Revelation 6 who are even today praying the same prayer, “How long O Lord?” They did not receive deliverance while in their earthly skin; yet, God has promised vengeance — the appropriate holy vengeance only the God of the universe can mete out justly. It was He who said, “Vengeance is mine, says the LORD.”
Two scriptures that refer to the seeming silence of Heaven are found in Habakkuk and in Psalms:
2 “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save? 2 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.” Habakkuk 1:2-4
1 “O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs — O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud. 3 LORD, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph? 4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. 5 They break in pieces Your people O LORD, and afflict your heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. 7 Yet they say, ‘The LORD does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand.’” Psalm 94:1-7
It is a complex issue that cannot be easily answered but we know that the God who loved us so much that He was willing to become a man in order to become the Perfect Lamb of God to provide a free path to salvation and reconciliation for mankind with Himself, will be absolutely just. It is His to decide when and how justice is to be served — not us. Nor is it for us to judge Him for not responding as we would wish. He is the Parent and we are His sons and daughters. He will take care of it.
These thoughts had been running through my mind the last few days when I received two messages from Dr. Nibras, the first of which also addresses this complex subject…
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My brother Jack, I wish you and all the brothers and sisters a blessed Sunday. Father Abdelrahem, I, and the brave brothers and sisters who haven’t slept a wink for a week, were thinking, after a very long conversation with Abdelrahem, about the current situation. Today, the elders, the sheikhs, and the venerable Sheikh Shalalda, along with me, gave a very important lesson and guided people who have believed in Jesus. People are coming and listening in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo and its suburbs. We are waiting for the SDF regime to release the brothers and sisters they have detained. We read and contemplate the Scripture, Psalm 23 and discuss how it applies to the situation we are in. The well known passage reads:
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
The question of how such a passage from the Bible applies to Christians experiencing horrific persecutions, as is the case today in the Middle East and many other places, is often asked. It is a valid question. Here, we find that God has promised us the beauty of rest by still waters, peace of mind, a table before our enemies, and mercy and kindness that will accompany us throughout our lives. Yet, in addition to the “ordinary” struggles of life that we all face, millions of Christians have been killed for their innocent faith in their Creator God, and the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. How does this align with this passage of the Bible?
The Bible warns us that life is full of difficulties. In John 16:33, Jesus says, “…in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” And in James 1:2, we find James, Jesus’ brother and later an apostle, saying, “My brothers and sisters, consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds…” The Phillips translation of the verse invites us to consider our trials and tribulations as “friends!” At first glance, many might say upon reading this verse, “This is ridiculous! This is madness!”
The Bible also distinguishes between the ordinary trials and tribulations we experience in a fallen world and the persecutions we face for our commitment to Jesus Christ. This is found in Matthew 5:11-12: 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Therefore, when we read a text like Psalm 23, we must remember that God is in absolute control of everything, including our personal circumstances, whatever they may be. Whatever we face, whether life’s trials or the persecution we endure for our witness to Jesus, we can face the valley of the shadow of death with the certainty that God will never abandon us. Even if He doesn’t lead us to the solution, He will guide us through it, granting us divine strength to triumph no matter the situation.
The psalm also tells us that goodness and mercy will accompany us throughout our lives. This means that even if we experience the harshest trials or persecutions, and feel no comfort, these blessings will be reserved for us forever. Once true believers in Jesus enter the Presence of the King of Kings and His kingdom, they will never again suffer, never hunger, never thirst, never be in pain…never! Yes…goodness and mercy will accompany the believer in God’s Presence!
These comments, of course, offer only a very simplified explanation of a complex subject, but with these sacred texts in mind, let us consider what has been happening in the past few days with the missionaries in the Middle East. I told you that Sister Mufida and Hafiza and their group are currently serving in the Aleppo region. While working with the wounded and praying for them, she personally witnessed God’s power to completely heal 67 of them. Each one of them has become a follower of Jesus Christ. She continues her work, as do Hafiza and her team, and 53 people have been healed through their efforts.
Speaking of martyrdom, one of the missionaries of the House of Blessing organization in Syria was martyred in the past few days. Meanwhile, in northern Syria, Sisters Hafiza and Feriel have resumed administering Holy Communion to hundreds of people. As we explained previously, everyone who participates in these prayers has sincerely prayed the Prayer of Repentance and become a follower of Jesus Christ. The elders did everything they could to baptize them: Al-Fishawi, Al-Hidmi, Hab Riman, Kilani, Shaker, Bandar, and the brothers Falih, Basem, Bandar, Abu Layla, Bilal Majdi, Sheikh Al-Bazlamit, Abu Al-Ezz, and Brother Laith. What a strong day of cooperation! They are all united, my brother Jack. Many of these people have been healed, and most have been baptized by the Holy Spirit, as was the case in the early Church in the Book of Acts. These faithful widows, members of the House of Blessing, serve between 1,300 and 1,550 people these days. Father Abdelrahem has entrusted me with this task. We are managing everything ourselves and arranging all matters at the moment, as he is unable to reach us. The situation does not allow for this, and we pray to the Lord for the birth of more souls to faith in Jesus Christ, the key to goodness and blessing.
Servant of Jesus Christ,
Dr. Nibras
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The second message I received spoke of a great tragedy being experienced by the House of Blessing community right now. Once again, we find ourselves asking the question, “How Long O LORD?”
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My brother Jack, greetings to you from me (Dr. Nibras), Father Abdelrahem, and the esteemed sheikhs. I apologize in advance for having to share today’s information with you, but my heart, and the hearts of all the brothers, are torn apart — as if our hearts have been ripped in two. The chaos of war and interventions continue to plague people’s lives. The struggle for control of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, continues, where the Syrian dictator, Al-Sharaa, is deploying his Syrian army in full force, indiscriminately killing both armed fighters and civilians, hospitals, clinics, and even refugee camps have been attacked, leaving dozens dead. The battle for Aleppo is not confined to the city itself, but also encompasses surrounding towns and cities, including Idlib. The largest camps in Aleppo, Raqqa, Hama, and Idlib have been destroyed in this battle.
My aim is not to delve into the details of what is happening in Syria regarding the power struggles involving Al-Sharaa’s army, the Turkish army, the Iranian army, and the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), composed of Kurds, Circassions (also known as Cherkess or Adyghe, a Northwest Caucasian ethnic group originating from Circassia in northern Caucasus), Assyrians, Turkmen, Chechens, Armenians, and numerous other armed groups. But my goal is to provide an updated account of the situation of the hundreds of missionaries from the House of Blessing Community, spread out not only in Syria but also throughout the Middle East.
The past few days have witnessed an unprecedented tragedy for the House of Blessing, with a large number of its missionaries killed, including those taken captive. In northern Syria, at least 83 widows from Mufida’s Widow Sisterhood were killed. Sixty-seven male missionaries from HOB were also killed, along with at least 43 new converts and 18 of their children. In addition to these casualties, dozens of civilians have also been killed.
Sisters Mufida, Hafiza, Ferial, and Labiba continue to work with the seriously injured — people suffering from compound fractures, shrapnel wounds, and so on. In the past few days they have treated and prayed with at least 177 people, all of whom have recovered.
Sisters Hafiza, Ferioal, Labiba, and Mufida, along with the elders, continue to administer Holy Communion to as many believers as possible. They have given communion to approximately 1,500 to 1,700 people in the past few days. Many have been healed, and almost everyone who asked for the baptism of the Holy Spirit was baptized and received power from on high!
The missionaries of the HOB organization in Iran have suffered heavy losses as well. But now the situation is different. They are teaching systematically and cautiously, but thousands are waiting for the Gospels. Father Aylout Eban, along with Mullah Ma’touq, Shahbandar, Murtada, and Durgham, are working to organize everything. Fatima continues to offer Holy Communion, with about 1,100 people attending in the past few days. The sheikhs Awawi, Sudani, and brother Jafaar and Zalatimo are doing the same. Sisters like Yaria, Nina, and Yasmin are also present, similar to the situation at the HOB organization in northern Syria.
These people are all in a critical situation; they need everything: food, tents, medicine, etc. They desperately need our prayers and support. Whenever supplies arrive, the missionaries distribute them to those around them. As they share what little they have, doors are opened wide to spread the Gospel of Jesus to those they are helping. In this way, the Gospel is reaching many.
Abdelrahem is still staying in our location. Although the Lord healed him and the elders from the effects of a bit of sulfur poisoning they had after the fire they started with sulfur rocks in the cave, they are suffering again from headaches and general weakness. They haven’t been able to sleep for several days. Nevertheless, people constantly flock to Abdelrahem’s tent to pray. He prays for about 350 people a day. It’s exhausting, but as long as his door is open for people to pray with, he refuses to turn them away. (That sounds just like Pastor Rashid always did!)
I’d like to mention a verse from the Bible that I’ve quoted before. It perfectly fits the situation. It’s found in Romans 8:
31 “What shall we then say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with him also freely give us all things… 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. “ Romans 8:31-32; 35-39.
Servant of Jesus Christ,
Dr. Nibras
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In conclusion, thank you, thank you, thank you all for your prayers and support for the HOB community. These are very difficult times and they need our support in every way. Jesus is at the door, let’s live like it could very well be tomorrow — because it could be. It is imminent but only God knows the exact timing. We are to watch and pray.
I did receive a message detailing a stunning miracle of a dead man being raised. Due to the length of today’s update, I will share the story in the coming days. Please feel free to contact us at either of the emails below with questions or comments. Thank You!
Incidentally, there are still people who are confused about who is Jake, and who is Jack. There is a funny story behind it all, but I am Jake and I am also Jack. In the West, I am known by Jake and in the Middle East, I am known as Jack. That was inadvertently started 14 years ago by Pastor Rashid. I go by either name!
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)
[email protected] [email protected]
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A suggestion: As we read the names of all these men and women who are enduring things we can only imagine, we are consistently asked to pray, pray, pray for them. But there are so many names, most of them difficult to even pronounce! It is natural then to pray generic prayers to cover them all…..always knowing, of course, that Father knows them individually. He does hear our generic prayers and responds according to what He knows the deepest need is. But I wonder….if I take just one or two of these names, and focus specifically on them, names of specific individuals that need prayer, people that I will meet in eternity, would I pray more earnestly, more specifically for the immediate need….even not knowing details? Would I then be more invested in being a blessing for them, today, right now, wherever they are and whatever circumstance they are in? Would Father then lead me to know how to pray more specifically? I’m going to try it. So, today….as the Lord leads….I am going to pray specifically for Yasmin and for Labiba. Just a thought…..
Anne