As has been the case so many times, in the midst of great times of reaching people with the Good News of the Gospel, tragedy strikes. I received reports of two such incidents in the last few days. The first happened in the Sweida region. Several of the teachers and students were attacked and severely beaten. The second was near Latakia, and as in Sweida, teachers and students were attacked. They were badly beaten and their hands burned and badly damaged. In addition, the Bibles and teaching booklets they had were thrown into a burn barrel in which there was burning firewood. In addition, the attackers burned the tents being used by the teachers and students. All this was because they refused to return to the Islamic faith.
Because of the number of tents burned in which supplies were kept, much of the provisions for HOB were damaged or destroyed. But the Lord is well aware of what happened and He will take care of His people. Abdelrahem continues to ask for prayer for all of the HOB community of believers. They are in very dangerous and difficult times. God is, however, always triumphant and so are His people. As these events unfold, the leaders of the House of Blessing meet often to pray and seek the Lord for wisdom and direction. It is then important to follow through as the Lord has directed.
I received another report, this time from Abdelraham, telling me what happened a couple days after these two attacks. After burning the Bibles and booklets, two of the men who had participated in the burning, Abu Hadba and Al-Shaqouri, were struck blind. Several others, Al-Hawash, Abu Ghraib, and Juma, who had participated were afflicted with skin illnesses which brought about terrible itching and severe peeling of their skin. It did not take long for them to realize this was a consequence of what they had done. They soon found their way back to the HOB leaders and begged forgiveness. The leaders spent time with them explaining the Gospel, then led the men in a prayer of repentance. They also prayed that the Lord would intervene with their physical conditions and they were provided with some natural medicines.
Five witnesses to the burning of the Bibles and notebooks revealed that when the burn barrels were checked, none of the Bibles had been damaged. The wood had thoroughly burned but the Bibles were untouched — although the booklets had burned along with the wood. It was a notable miracle and was now having an effect on all who heard the story. The story caused me to remember once again the promise God made years ago. He said that every single Bible would bear fruit. That apparently also applied in this case, even if thrown into a barrel of burning wood!
In another report I received from Abdelrahem, he told the story of a sheikh named Abu Hilal and his wife Umm Hilal who shared this experience. After Hilal fell asleep recently, he had a dream that he was flying. He arrived in an area in which there was no lighting of any sort. Suddenly, two ugly-faced beings appeared, and their appearance truly was frightening. They put Hilal in chains and dragged him like an animal. The heat in the place was intense and below him were fire and flames. Above him, however, was a glass ceiling, and a view of a beautiful life that he did not even have proper words to describe. Hilal tried to walk but could not. He became very hot, sweated, and was very thirsty. Then, Hilal said a light appeared in his dream and the source of the light ordered the two ugly beings to leave and they promptly did so. The Person behind the light then spoke and said, “Listen, look above you. How beautiful is the life of the believers. Do you want to be one of them?” Hilal answered and said, Yes. The Person then told him, “Believe, believe and live in peace. I am Jesus. You are safe. Go and deliver the message and be among the righteous like your friends, whom you know. Take a drink and come back. Deliver the message and be with them whether in good times or bad. You are safe and secure in Me.”
Many thousands of Muslim people are having dreams and visions of Jesus, and they are responding to Him en masse. And, the miracles that are happening in front of many witnesses are causing many to turn to Christ as well. Brother Abdelrahem reported that a large number of people have turned to Jesus as a result of the miraculous intervention with the Bibles that were not touched by the fire that was supposed to burn them up. Over 900 were reached with the Good News of the Gospel due, just because of this event alone. But, as Hael, Arshid, Hab Ruman and Azmi, and Balwat remind us, they really depend on prayers from all the supporters and believers who know of their situation. Things are increasingly becoming more difficult as the days pass. The governments are well aware of the House of Blessing and the effect they are having on Muslim sheikhs all across the Mideast — which in turn, draws their followers to Jesus as well. There is a major harvest of souls being brought in, but those belonging to the kingdom of the fallen one are not asleep…
Abdulrahem has contacted the brothers in all regions. Thousands of Bibles, teaching booklets and brochures have been distributed to designated locations by Omar, Jaafar, Zalatimo, and Sakaksini. Teaching has begun with the system they have worked out. They know that there is a great mobilization of enemies being sent out against HOB. Roads are being closed and blocked, so much so they are not even able to access supplies of food. The worst areas of pressure and persecution are on the northwest coast near where Sheikh Hail and Sheikh Rashid are located. Abdelrahem said he warned them all to be on their guard. Enemies are everywhere. Praise God for those who chose to die rather than deny Christ. They chose death to protect the new generation being raised up to serve Christ. The martyrs wanted the saved sheikhs to continue delivering the message. Please pray for them all. Even with the thousands of Bibles and other supplies that have been printed and distributed, there is still a great need for more. The people are being reached by the multitudes and HOB missionaries and volunteers are giving their lives to get the word to them.
In closing today’s update, I will share just a sample of what Abdelrahem is training all of the leaders to share with the people. There is a shortage of copies of the Scriptures, especially the full Bible with both Old and New Testaments. These are Scriptures Abdelrahem is instructing his teachers to emphasize to their students:
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God is described throughout Scripture as a refuge, strength, salvation, fortress, and shield; all of these denote His protective role over His people. Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd and He exclaims that He will lay down His life for the sheep as He protects against the thief. God’s people rest in Him knowing that they are secure from danger. Even though suffering and persecution are sure to come, God’s salvation is sure.
What does the Bible say about protection?
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Read not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Genesis 15:1
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians who you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs.” Deuteronomy 33:29
This God — His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. 2 Samuel 22:31
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3
For You bless the righteous, O LORD; You cover him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12
Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge. Psalm 16:1
The LORD is my strength and shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. Psalm 28:7
You are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7
The LORD watches over the sojourners; He upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin. Psalm 146:9
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. Proverbs 2:7-8
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. Proverbs 29:25
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5
Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Isaiah 46:4
O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to You shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: “Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit, can man make for himself gods? Such are not gods!” Jeremiah 16:19-20
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:10-11
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18
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Anyone that has a desire to help with the cost of Bibles and teaching booklets, please inquire at either of the email addresses below. Thank you!
Forever in His Service,
Jake (aka Jack)