What is the difference?

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A young a man or woman walks into a market dressed in Islamic garb. They pull a cord and immediately detonates a vest bomb killing themsrlves and many others. Islam hail some as a martyr.

A young man goes into a gay nightclub and kills many people with an automatic weapon. Before he finishes his bloodbath he makes a phone call and declares his allegiance to Isis. After he is taken out by the police. Islam hails him as a martyr.

Another young man drives a truck onto a crowd if people in Nice France and kills many people in injures others. Islam hails him as a martyr.

21 Jesus followers are marched out by ISIS to the shores of Libya. After they kneel and pray. The Jesus followers have their heads cut off. Christianity regards them as martyrs.

A pastor in Kenya is found shot in a chair with an open Bible in his lap. This has been done by local jihadists. Christians regard him as a martyr.

A young woman in Eritrea dies in a shipping container where she has been in prison for her faith in Christ for over 2 years. She has died of malnutrition and dysentery never once renouncing her faith in Jesus. Christians regard her as a martyr.

A dear sister was recently slain in Nigeria for sharing Jesus. Christians regard her as a martyr.

So what is the difference between those who are martyred for Allah and those who are martyred for Jesus Christ?

I have some reflections on this. But I wonder if the forum has any thoughts.

My dear sister I'm waiting to hear from others in the Forum before I share my own thoughts. But do share your insight.

Don't know how helpful this topic is.
There are only two kingdoms in this world, God's Kingdom and satan's.
The second one comes in many different forms, Islam, Communism, RCC (Inquisition.).. you name it.

To single out Islam and to ignore what Western forces have done doesn't help, especially in a Christian forum where we should "love our enemies "

The difference in who you are willing to die for is reflected in who you lived for?

1Cor 13:3 ... and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (JESUS), it profiteth me nothing.

Saints.I am posing this question because Islam is the greatest challenge to the Christian church. Also reports indicate that Muslims are the greatest persecutors to Christians.

I believe Satan has co-opted the martyrdom of believers. Thus when Muslims go out and kill Christians and if they themaelves are killed in the process. Then they are hailed as martyrs.

Thus I was asking for your thoughts in terms of what is the difference between a martyr for Christ and a martyr for Allah.

I do thank you for those who have shared your thoughts thus far.

by markuskiwi on 2016/7/21 14:08:43
Don't know how helpful this topic is.
There are only two kingdoms in this world, God's Kingdom and satan's.
The second one comes in many different forms, Islam, Communism, RCC (Inquisition.).. you name it.

To single out Islam and to ignore what Western forces have done doesn't help, especially in a Christian forum where we should "love our enemies "

Edited for clarity

Toss.

Why do you keep attacking Blaine? His post inflames no one and unlike me he exhibits great patience towards people such as yourself.

Rev_enue,
I do this because I feel that some posts are written to stir up emotions and encourage fleshly thinking.

Saints I would like to think those of you who contributed to this thread. Even the two who disagreed with me posting this thread. It was not my intention to inflame anyone's emotions. But the seek the thoughts of the forum as to which some thought the differences in Islamic and Christian martyrdom were.

The fact of the matter is, Islam is the main challenge to the believing church. Even to those who are reaching out to Muslims and other unreached people groups in the 1040 window.

Other than the fact that Satan is working to intigate Islamic attacks against Christians. I feel the question must be asked what drives a Muslim to seek martyrdom. Thus I pondered this question for the last few months.

I will share some of my own thoughts on the differences between Islamic and Christian martyrdom. These are not conclusive but only thoughts as I pondered them before the Holy Spirit.

It seems a Muslim is anxious to seek out martyrdom. A Muslim has no sssurance of eternal life in his own version of paradise. But one sure way a Muslim may be promised eternal life and 72 virgins is if they commits jihad. And if they kill infidels. And if they are martyred in the process for his false god. Thus a Muslim is assured paradise. And I suppose 72 virgins. I am not sure what the Muslim females get if they are martyred for their false god. But then maybe the Muslims are sexist and do not regard female martyrs. I'm not trying to be cynical but as factual as I can. I am no Islamic scholar.

As I reflected this before the Lord this morning I asked what was the difference between an Islamic and a Christian martyr. The Holy Spirit responded that they sacrificed to a false god. Ultimately the false god is Satan. Thus when a Muslem blows himself up or shot by police. They are evidently offering himself up as a sacrifice to Satan. And we know the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. And he delights in human sacrifices. Just a thought the Holy Spirit gave me this morning.

In contrast Christians do not seek martyrdom. Yet they willingly take up their cross to follow Christ. They willingly die to themselves. And if need be offer up their lives as a sacrifice to the Lord Jesus Christ. They do this to testify of the Lord Jesus Christ even to the laying down of their lives for Him. This is what I believe happened with sister Eunice in Nigeria a few days ago. She willingly testified of her Lord by willingly lay down her life for Him.

A Muslim will seek out martyrdom for more selfish gain such as wanting to be assured of eternal life in Paradise with Allah comma their false god. Thus if they take the lives of others they see this as gaining more favor with their false God.

In contrast when a Christian selflessly lays down His life it is a testify of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Also just as Jesus Christ laid down his life and our place on the cross to save us from our sins. Sometimes they Christian will be martyred to save the life of others.

I have read accounts where this has happened in prison camps where Christians have been in prison for their faith in Jesus. If a person is about to be executed. A Christian May step forward and take the place of that person so that their life would be spared.

Again these are only my thoughts. As I have reflected on this issue before the Lord. I'm sure there are some more well-read and I am on this issue who might disagree with some of these thoughts. But this was something I wanted to think on and reflect up before the Lord in the Forum.

Thus I think this thread can close down.

Again thank you for those of you who share your thoughts.

From the foot of His cross.

Just one more concluding thought. I agree we are to love our enemies. All the more reason to reach out to the Muslims with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Only in Jesus can the Muslim truly find eternal life.

When a heart is changed from a heart of hate to a heart of love with an encounter with Jesus. That's one less heart to be given over to Satan to commit jihad and martyr themselves in a road that leads to hell.

Simply my thoughts.

For Islam, martyrdom is a work (of suicide usually) to earn/gain salvation and atonement for sin. The ONLY assurance of "salvation" in Islamic doctrine.

In Jesus, martyrdom is not a work, nor are we to seek it, but something we are to count the cost on and be willing if the Lord did call us to it as a result of our overarching Love for the One who already forgave us and washed our sins away!

Am in total agreement my brothers.