Examiner 11-09-2010: Downtown Phoenix rally protests October 31 church attack in Iraq

Hundreds of supporters filled the streets of Downtown Phoenix on Monday to protest the murder of dozens of Christians in Iraq by a terrorist group on October 31, in an attack not unlike those that will be perpetrated upon true believers during the Last Days as prophesied in the book of Revelation.


Rallies similar to the one held at Washington and First Avenue in downtown Phoenix were held worldwide on Monday. Phoenix was joined by cities and countries such as New York City, Chicago, Canada, the UK, and Germany as they gathered to speak out against the horrific attack on Iraqi Christians in Baghdad last month.

For more information: Group protests attacks on Christian church in Iraq
On October 31, gunmen entered the Syrian Catholic Church in Baghdad, Iraq and killed more than 50 people, injuring at least 80. It has been reported that a terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Iraq, with ties to Al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to Voice of the Martyrs , this is the second time in recent years that this church in particular has been a target of an attack, and just one example of the persecution that has been occurring all over Iraq.

Unfortunately, these kinds of attack are nothing new for this part of the world. Christians are being killed every day in countries such as Iraq, Pakistan, India, and many more. The Bible warns Christians that there is a day coming when worldwide persecution of Christians will be widespread and rampant under the leadership of the Anti-Christ.

At the opening of the Fifth Seal in Revelation, the Apostle John writes that he "...saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne" (Revelation 6:9).  Later in the book John shows that these souls were the Christians that were persecuted and killed by the Anti-Christ. According to Daniel 7:21 and Revelation 13:7 the Anti-Christ makes war with the saints and prevails over them.

To further illustrate this point, in Revelation 12, the Apostle John relates his vision of the pregnant woman (Israel) and the dragon (Satan). After the dragon is unable to kill the woman he goes after her offspring (Christians). "Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus" (verse 17).

It is clear that according to the Bible, in the Last Days persecution of Christians will not be confined to just certain parts of the world, but rather this coming persecution by the Anti-Christ will be global in nature.