Referring to Iran's islamists as both dark and powerful is not an overstatement. The country's 1979 revolution gave power to a regime completely devoted to spreading Islamic extremism through violent insurgencies, and it does so today with great effect simultaneously in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and areas of Israel where there is a Palestinian majority. A nation with a tremendous wealth of people (more than 92 million) and resources (the world's third largest petroleum reserves), Ian has sadly been defined by its agenda to violently spread Shia Islam for nearly 50 years.
Iran's Shia (Shiite or "Twelver") Islam is a sect focused on the coming of the Mahdi, the supposed twelfth leader in succession of Islamic rulership who will spread sharia law to all parts of the world. Iran islamists have sought to pursue these ends through (1) violent conquest fueled by martyrdom ideology and (2) the brutal and truly comprehensive persecution of its citizens who leave Islam to follow Christ. Christian converts from Islam in Iran now number at least 500,000 and may exceed 2 million in order for us to support them in prayer and loving fellowship, understanding the power of the darkness they face is important.
The regular Iranian military numbers more than 400,000, including conscripts. Additionally, the core of the nation's power, the Revolutionary Guard, numbers roughly 185,000, with 600,000 Basij reserves. Combined, this is a million-man military that has controlled its nation's economy for decades. Working closely with underground Christians inside Iran for many years, I can personally bear witness that the regime has also been effective in monitoring and controlling its populace, punishing Muslim converts to Christ who take great risks to gather for Christian worship, own and distribute Bibles, and evangelize their Muslim neighbors.
I hope everyone will become fully aware of this powerful darkness, for God is glorified as the light of Christ's truth is proven to be greater. We should be thrilled to tell everyone that while powerful darkness has reigned in Iran for nearly 50 years, it is in this country that we have seen the greatest conversion of Muslims to Christ in the 1,400 yeas since Islam's founding. We need to know that the enemies of our souls, the Devil and the other fallen angels, can marshal all the power of the fallen world —military, economic and otherwise— yet all of God's plans to seek and save the lost will surely come to pass. God is greater. Who do we thing can stop him?
I pray readers will be inspired by our Iranian Christian family members whom you will meet in the pages of our printed magazine, "The Voice of the Martyrs" (). Armed with the simple truth of the love of Christ, they are showing us through its pages how to serve Him faithfully and well. Our Iranian Christian brothers and sisters have become brilliant and beautiful heavenly lights that not only shine in the nation's darkness but also overcome it.
Cole Richards, President
The Voice of the Martyrs
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