Algerian government launched ‘final assault’ against kidnapping terrorists
The government forces in Algeria have launched what is being called a ‘final assault’ against the kidnapping terrorists:
January 19, 2013
Algeria’s official APS news agency says the country’s special forces have launched a “final assault” on Islamists who have been holding hostages at a gas complex in the Algerian desert.
APS reports the special forces have killed 11 al-Qaida linked terrorists in Saturday’s assault. Sources say kidnappers have killed seven foreign hostages, although it is not clear at this time whether the toll is including or in addition to the 12 Algerians and foreigners already reported dead…
Earlier, Algeria’s state news agency said nearly 100 foreign hostages seized by Islamist militants Wednesday had been freed, with more than 30 others still unaccounted for.
The Algerian news agency reported that militants kidnapped 132 foreign hostages in their raid at a natural gas complex in eastern Algeria Wednesday.
It was not clear whether the hostages reported to be freed were rescued by the Algerian army or released by their captors, and there has been no Western confirmation of the report.
The hostages at the site were believed to include nationals from the U.S., Britain, Japan, Norway, Romania, the Philippines, France, Malaysia and Austria. The gas complex is jointly run by Algerian, British and Norwegian firms.
Officials in the U.S., Britain and other countries have said they are seeking information about developments at the plant, while expressing regret Algeria did not inform them in advance about the military operation.
In France, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls also raised concerns about militant groups and links to Europe.
“For years, there have been French jihadis who have gone to fight a war in Afghanistan, in Syria, and a very small handful in the Sahel,” Valls said. “They are obviously being watched by our intelligence agencies.”
The militants say they attacked the facility in retaliation for French military operations in Mali. http://www.voanews.com/content/algeria-launches-final-assault-on-hostage-takers/1587078.html
(Reuters) – The Algerian army on Saturday carried out a final assault on al Qaeda-linked gunmen holed up in a desert gas plant, killing 11 of the Islamists after they took the lives of seven more foreign hostages, a local source and the state news agency said.
“It is over now, the assault is over, and the military are inside the plant clearing it of mines,” a local source familiar with the operation told Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/19/us-sahara-crisis-idUSBRE90F1JJ20130119?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=71&google_editors_picks=true
According to the Bible, kidnapping is a capital offense:
16 “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 21:16)
7 “If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you. (Deuteronomy 24:7)
Kidnapping is evil and should not be done.
Since Islamists claim to believe the Bible, those who claim Islam should not be involved in kidnapping or other forms of terrorism.
Terrorism is essentially listed as a curse in the Hebrew scriptures (Leviticus 26:14-16). And its use in these times is consistent with some warnings in the Greek scriptures as well, as Jesus taught:
7…But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:7-8)
Although the Great Tribulation has still not began, we seem to be in the time that Jesus referred to as the “beginning of sorrows,” hence we will see more terrorism, military actions, unrest, etc.
While the Bible suggests that some religious zealots will use terrorism, violent terror is totally inconsistent with the message of the Bible. Those who practice various forms of terrorism do not know the God of the Bible:
1 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. (John 16:1-3)
9…”You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10)
Throughout history, terroristic and persecuting religious people have overlooked or discounted these scriptures and still do so today.
The Bible simply does not in any way condone terrorism.
But it does tell of a time when it, and other evils like it, will be gone:
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
That is part of the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. Until then, people individually should repent and as Jesus taught:
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)
Notice also how the Bible ends:
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21)
The return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God is what is now needed and is something believers should pray for.
Some articles of additional interest may include the following:
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about?
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
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