Christian persecution in Nigeria; U.S. Strike Against ISIS Militants in Nigeria

 

 ✝️ When Protection Becomes Necessary: Reflecting on the U.S. Strike Against ISIS Militants in Nigeria

Christian persecution in Nigeria, for years, Christians across parts of Nigeria have lived under the shadow of relentless violence. In just the last few years, global observers estimate roughly 60–90 major kidnapping incidents involving school‑aged girls, with 2,500–4,000 children taken in total. During that same period, Christian communities worldwide have endured 1,300–2,000 targeted attacks, affecting an estimated 60,000–95,000 Christians through killings, injuries, kidnappings, displacement, and assaults on churches and villages. These are conservative numbers; the                                                                                           real totals are almost certainly higher.

 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mathew 5-10

This is the backdrop against which the recent U.S. strike on ISIS‑linked militants in northwest Nigeria was announced. According to news reports, the strike followed a series of killings attributed to extremist groups operating in the region. For many who have watched the steady rise of violence against Christians, the action felt like a long‑overdue acknowledgment of a crisis that has been escalating for years.

For families who have endured kidnappings, for churches that have been burned, and for communities that have been driven from their homes, the reaction has been a mix of relief and sober reflection. Relief that someone finally acted. Reflection on why it took so long.

Because the truth is simple: Christian communities in Nigeria have been asking for protection for years.

Local leaders, humanitarian organizations, and international observers have repeatedly warned that extremist groups were growing more organized, more violent, and more confident. Entire regions have been destabilized. Children have been taken from schools in numbers that defy belief. And through it all, many Christians have felt forgotten.

The recent strike does not solve the crisis. It does not undo the suffering of families who have lost loved ones. It does not bring back the children who were taken. But for some, it signals that the world is beginning to acknowledge the scale of the threat — and the need for action.

Many voices are now calling for stronger, sustained, and coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable communities. These calls are not about politics; they are about human lives. They are about the right of every person Christian, Muslim, or otherwise to live without fear of being targeted for who they are or what they believe.

 If anything is clear, it is this:  Protection is not an act of aggression. It is an act of justice.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you   when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Psalms 61

Your opinion Matters, leave a reply:

How do you think the global church should respond when Christian communities in other nations face violence or persecution?

 What forms of protection or support do you believe are most needed for vulnerable believers in regions like Nigeria?

 How can everyday Christians — even far from the conflict — play a meaningful role in awareness, prayer, or advocacy?

The Promised Messiah Arrives

 

The Promised Messiah Arrives: Prophecies of Christ and Luke’s Historical Account of His Birth 

By John Hooker

For centuries, God’s people waited in hope. Through prophets, poets, and kings, the Lord promised a Savior — One who would break the curse, restore creation, and redeem His people. These promises were not vague or symbolic. They were specific, time‑anchored, and fulfilled with precision in the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Luke, written by a careful historian and physician, gives us the most detailed and orderly account of Christ’s birth. But Luke’s story doesn’t begin in Bethlehem. It begins in the Old Testament — in the promises of God.

Let’s walk through the key prophecies and see how Luke reveals their fulfillment.

1. The Messiah Would Be Born of a Virgin  

Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14 — “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Fulfillment: Luke 1:26–35 — The angel Gabriel appears to Mary, announcing that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit. Luke records Mary’s own words, making this one of the most historically grounded accounts of the virgin birth.

Luke’s precision here is unmatched. He names the angel, the town (Nazareth), the lineage (David), and even Mary’s emotional response.

2. The Messiah Would Come from the Line of David

Prophecy: Jeremiah 23:5 — “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch…”

Fulfillment:    Luke 1:32–33 — Gabriel tells Mary that her Son will inherit “the throne of His father David.”

• Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy through Mary in Luke 3, showing that Jesus is legally and biologically connected to David’s royal line.

3. The Messiah Would Be Born in Bethlehem  

Prophecy: Micah 5:2 — “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.”

Fulfillment: 

Luke 2:1–7 — Luke records the Roman census under Caesar Augustus that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem at exactly the right time.

• This is not coincidence. It is divine orchestration through world events.

4. A Forerunner Would Prepare the Way  

Prophecy: Isaiah 40:3 — “A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord…”

Fulfillment: 

Luke 1:13–17; Luke 3:2–6 — Luke gives the most detailed account of John the Baptist’s birth and ministry, showing him as the promised forerunner who prepares Israel for the Messiah.

• Luke quotes Isaiah directly, making the connection unmistakable.

5. Light Would Dawn on Those in Darkness

Prophecy:   

Isaiah 9:1–2 — “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…”

Fulfillment: 

Luke 2:8–14 — The angels appear to shepherds in the night, announcing that the Light of the World has come.

• Luke alone records this heavenly proclamation — a moment where prophecy meets glory.

6. The Messiah Would Bring Salvation to All Nations  

Prophecy:   

Isaiah 49:6 — “I will make you a light for the nations…”

Fulfillment: 

Luke 2:25–32 — Simeon, filled with the Holy Spirit, holds the infant Jesus and declares Him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”

• Luke emphasizes the global scope of Christ’s mission more than any other Gospel writer.

Why Luke’s Account Matters - Luke is the most historically detailed writer in the New Testament. He tells us:

Who was ruling (Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, Herod)

Where events happened (Nazareth, Bethlehem, Judea) 

How God fulfilled prophecy through real-world events 

What eyewitnesses saw, heard, and experienced 

Luke’s Gospel is not myth or legend. It is investigated history anchored in prophecy and fulfilled in Christ.

Conclusion: The Faithfulness of God

Every prophecy, every promise, every shadow in the Old Testament finds its “Yes” in Jesus Christ. Luke’s Gospel shows us that the birth of Jesus is not an isolated event — it is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. The manger in Bethlehem is the proof that God keeps His word.

The Proof is There  :

The Book of Isaiah - The Great Isaiah Scroll, discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 and dated to around 125–100 BC, contains all 66 chapters of Isaiah in one continuous manuscript. Its remarkable preservation shows that Isaiah’s prophecies — including those about the coming Messiah — were firmly established centuries before the birth of Christ.

Lukes Gospel’s - The Gospel of Luke is supported by some of the earliest and most reliable New Testament manuscripts, including Papyrus 75 (P75), dated around AD 175–225. This early copy matches later codices with remarkable accuracy, showing that Luke’s account was preserved and transmitted with exceptional care from the earliest days of the church.

When Darkness Strikes

 

 A Christian Reflection on Tragedy and Spiritual Warfare

In Massachusetts, A man confesses he attacked his elderly parents and set their home on fire, leading to their deaths (Fox News). Neighbors described him as someone who had long struggled with disabilities and personal challenges. Sadly, this is not an isolated tragedy. Across the nation, communities have been shaken by acts of violence that defy comprehension.

While psychologists and criminologists point to mental health struggles, substance abuse, or social isolation as contributing factors, Christians also recognize a deeper dimension: the reality of evil, Demons, and the devil at work in the world. 

From a Christian perspective, when someone commits a horrific act, it may be seen as evidence of demonic influence or the devil’s deception — twisting human weakness into destructive action. Evil seeks to corrupt, isolate, and destroy. 

On every corner of the world, evil peaks its ugly head out and manipulates the weak, Just a glance at the month of November 2025. Here are several recent cases where violent crimes were committed against family members inside their homes, drawn from verified news sources. These examples highlight the tragic reality that many violent acts occur within families or among people who know each other. 

• California - A mass shooting at a children’s birthday party left multiple victims dead, including family members. YouTube Video
• New York – A Rochester man was convicted of luring a minor relative to a hotel and committing violent acts, underscoring how family ties can be exploited in crimes. Committed in 2024 , sentenced in 2025.  YouTube Video
• Pennsylvania – A Wall resident pled guilty to sexual exploitation of minors, including family members, in his home. US Attorney General 
• Texas – A Pinehill man was charged with sexually abusing minors within his household. Started in 2017 finally sentenced in 2025. US Attorney General

On a Broader Context:  According to Crime in America, most violent victimizations are committed by family members or people the victim knows, rather than strangers. The FBI data shows that domestic violence and family-related homicides remain a significant portion of violent crime cases. 

The Spiritual Dimension: Scripture reminds us that evil is not only human but spiritual: 

• “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
•  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
• “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”1 Peter 5:8

The Human and Social Dimension

• Mental health and isolation: Studies from the National Institute of Mental Health highlight how untreated conditions can escalate into destructive behavior. 
• Community breakdown: Sociologists note that weakened family ties and lack of support systems often leave vulnerable individuals without accountability. 
• Patterns of violence: News outlets like *Christianity Today* have documented how tragedies often emerge from a mix of personal crisis and societal neglect. 

Hope in Christ: Yet the Gospel proclaims that darkness does not have the final word. 

•   “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
•  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. “James 4:7
•  “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”1 John 4:4

 Christ’s death and resurrection broke the power of sin and evil. Believers are called to resist the devil, stand firm in faith, and shine light into the darkness. Communities of faith can respond with compassion, prayer, and practical support — offering both spiritual and social healing. 

A Call to Action, As Christians, our response must be: 

• Compassion for victims and families, praying for healing, comfort, and justice.
• Awareness of spiritual warfare, recognizing that prayer, Scripture, and faith are weapons against the devil’s schemes. 
• Commitment to prevention, supporting mental health care, strengthening families, and building communities of accountability and love. 

Conclusion 

Tragedies like these remind us that evil is real — both in human choices and in spiritual forces at work. But they also remind us of the hope we have in Christ, who conquered sin and death. As believers, we are called not to despair, but to stand firm in faith, resist the devil, and shine light into the darkness. 

In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Spirt, Hear our Prayer, Dear lord we hold steadfast in our prayers for the helpless, Dear lord, watch over and protect them every day and deliver them from evil. Give them the shield of armor and protect them from evil, let no harm come to these children and families. In hi name, Amen