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TURKEY: The 3 Martyrs
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John Henry
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Apr 20, 2007 18:34 PDT
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THREE MODERN MARTYRS OF TURKEY
Never before has there been such open publicity of Christians,
particularly evangelicals and their missionary endeavors. Pray for
Turkish souls! -- J. H.
THE MARTYRS IN TURKEY
The results of the autopsies have been published and they make harrowing
reading. It is clear that before having their throats cut, the three
believers were stabbed many times in the body. We know that whatever they
endured, they are now at peace and with their Lord.
The single Turkish believer's body was taken by his parents from the
hospital and given a Muslim burial yesterday. This is in spite of him
having had his identity card changed from Muslim to Christian in 2005.
One respected Turkish journalist commented that: "Even in death they
wouldn't allow him to be a Christian".
The married believer will be buried in his home city of Izmir tomorrow
(Saturday). His wife has been interviewed and in an article on the front
page of the Sabah newspaper has publicly forgiven the killers of her
husband. Pray that this reaction will demonstrate true Christianity to
the Turkish population. Pray that as many believers from all over the
country travel to attend the funeral that this would be a further
testimony to the gospel of Christ.
Tilman, our German friend and colleague leaves behind his wife Suzanne
and four children (aged 12, 9, 6 and 2). A friend reported thus:
"Suzanne Geske was on TV last night, covered the whole country with
her comments. She is going to stay on (in Malatya) with her four children
because, 'I believe that Jesus went to the cross to forgive all of our
sins, and on the cross He forgave those who were taking His own life,
saying, "Father forgive them, because they don't know what they are
doing". So I am going to forgive the people who took the life of my
husband because, truly, they do not know what they were doing. They were
fed many lies about what and who Christians are, and I am going to stay
here to show them that I forgive them'. Other words followed, equally
powerful. Equally unbelievable. Equally stirring." Suzanne has been
given permission for Tilman to be buried in Malatya. There is no
Christian burial ground there, therefore special arrangements will need
to be made. I believe that the funeral will take place this afternoon
(Friday).
THE TURKISH BELIEVERS
There is understandably a climate of fear and uncertainty. However, a
number of the leaders have called on the believers not to shrink back but
to proclaim their faith. Pray for believers as they meet in their
fellowships on Sunday.
Pray for H, who is the manager of the publishing company. He has
sustained much media attention and is also being asked many questions by
the police.
Pray that he will be filled with wisdom and courage.
The live TV press conference given by a number of the believers yesterday
went very well. There were very clear statements made by those
representing the Protestant evangelical believers. One leader in Ankara
made it clear that the constant drip-drip of lies told by the media about
Christians and missionaries has finally resulted in this bloodshed.
Remember also the foreign workers in the country. They will need to
behave very carefully and with much sensitivity. There is a lot of
uncertainty among them.
THE TURKISH MEDIA
At least two major dailies carried the story again on their front pages.
The Hurriyet gave an account of the autopsies, revealing the horrific way
in which the believers died. There were pictures of all three men and an
interview with the wife of the Turkish brother, a very powerful piece,
once again permeated by forgiveness in Christ.
The Radikal outlined how politicians on the left, right and the religious
have over the years made Christianity and the work of its missionaries a
scapegoat for many of the evils in Turkey and also an alleged threat to
Turkey's national security. This article hints at the ridiculousness of
such a state of affairs.
THE POLITICIANS
Most of the politicians of all persuasions have condemned the horrific
violence. They are acutely embarrassed, particularly since the victims
included a German national. They are also very much aware of the effect
this event may have on Turkey's image abroad, in terms of tourism,
investment and European relations, particularly as regards the path to
entry into the EU.
Some politicians in opposition to the government have used this incident
for their own gains, calling on the Minister for the Interior to resign.
There is a fear among secularists that the policies of this government
has now led to nests of fanatical Nationalist/Islamist groups all over
the country and which are now out of control.
THE RELIGIOUS
The usual predictable statements have been issued by the Religious
Affairs ministry. They have condemned the killings. They also said that
what was done could not be done in the name of Islam because Islam is a
peace-loving religion, etc, etc.
THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL
Never before in Turkey's modern history has there been such countrywide
exposure to evangelical Protestants and the gospel. We must pray that the
blood of these brothers may be the seed of the next generation of the
church in Turkey. This event has brought clearly to the surface the true
state of tolerance or the lack of it in Turkey. Pray that the government
would finally acknowledge this, recognize Turkish believers and their
right to exist and ensure they enjoy the rights and protection that
any other Turkish citizen is entitled to.
Sources come from Turkish television via satellite, Turkish media and
messages from friends and colleagues within Turkey. -- Via J. F.
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"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them
which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."
(Hebrews 13:3)
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall
revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great
is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you." (Matthew 5:10-12)
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