Though I know some people who have been divorced...

Divorce.

This is a difficult subject and unpleasant by it's nature. Though I know some people who have been divorced I have no personal experience of it. But Jesus taught on divorce and so I'm going to do a post on it.

Some Pharisees came to him and tried to trap him by asking, "Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife for whatever reason he wishes?" Jesus answered, "Haven't you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female? And God said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one.'¹ So they are no longer two, but one. No human being must separate, then, what God has joined together." The Pharisees asked him, "Why, then, did Moses give the law for a man to hand his wife a divorce notice and send her away?" Jesus answered, "Moses gave you permission to divorce your wives because you are so hard to teach. But it was not like that at the time of creation. I tell you, then, that any man who divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, commits adultery if he marries some other woman." His disciples said to him, "If this is how it is between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry." Jesus answered, "This teaching does not apply to everyone, but only to those to whom God has given it. For there are different reasons why men cannot marry: some, because they were born that way; others, because men made them that way; and others do not marry for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Let him who can accept this teaching do so." Matthew 19:3-12 Good News Bible²

According to Jesus, there is only one Scriptural reason or excuse for divorce, if the other partner commits adultery.

When a man has taken a wife and married her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her, then let him write her a bill of divorce and put it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she has departed from his house, she goes and becomes another man's; and the latter husband hates her and writes her a bill of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house; or if the latter husband dies, he who took her to be his wife her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife after she is defiled. For that is hateful before Jehovah. And you shall not cause the land to sin, which Jehovah your God gives you for an inheritance. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Modern King James Version

Jesus makes it clearer:

"It was also said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce.' But now I tell you: if a man divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, then he is guilty of making her commit adultery³ if she marries again; and the man who marries her commits adultery also. Matthew 5:31-32 Good News Bible

The Greek word translated as “unfaithfulness” here is: πορνεία, porneia, pronounced as: por-ni'-ah From πορνεύω, (porneuō, pronounced as: porn-yoo'-o); harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry: - fornication.⁴

Other translations of the Bible use different expressions in verse 32 including:

• “except for a matter of sexual sin...” Analytical Literal Translation.

• “unless she has committed some terrible sexual sin...” Contemporary English Version.

• “except for a matter of sexual sin...” English Standard Version.

• “saving for the cause of fornication...” King James Version.

• The Message adds: “You can't use legal cover to mask a moral failure.”

The LORD says, "If a man divorces his wife, and she leaves him and becomes another man's wife, he cannot take her back again. This would completely defile the land. Isaiah 3:1a Good News Bible

Isaiah and Deuteronomy also make it clear that according to the Scriptures, once divorced there's no remarriage to the same person.

Regardless of whether one has been divorced or not Jesus said: "I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again."

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible and commentaries in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2013 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.3.0, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

1Then the LORD God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the flesh. He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. Then the man said, "At last, here is one of my own kind--- Bone taken from my bone, and flesh from my flesh. 'Woman' is her name because she was taken out of man." That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one. Genesis 2:21-24 Good News Bible

2See also: Mark 10:2-12.

3Jesus makes it clear that causing another to sin is a serious matter, see also: Matthew 18:6-7, Mark 9:42 & Luke 17:1-2

4Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries.

Jesus being baptised by John has been called a “perfect testimony of grace”

Jesus' Baptism.

At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. But John tried to make him change his mind. "I ought to be baptized by you," John said, "and yet you have come to me!" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires." So John agreed. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him. Then a voice said from heaven, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased." Matthew 3:13-17 Good News Bible

Jesus being baptised by John has been called a “perfect testimony of grace” because the saviour of the world humbled Himself to identify (see also: Hebrews 4:15-16) with the ordinary people in baptism.ⁱ

Even though Jesus was sinless, it was proper for His forerunner, John to show approval of Him in baptism at the beginning of Jesus' ministry.ⁱⁱ “At Christ's baptism there was a manifestation of the three Persons in the sacred Trinity.ⁱⁱⁱ” Jesus, God the Son, God the Father spoke from Heaven and the Spirit came down on Jesus in the form of a dove. This proved to John that Jesus was the Son of God:

John said, "I saw the Spirit come down as a dove from heaven and stay on him. I didn't know who he was. But God, who sent me to baptize with water, had told me, 'When you see the Spirit come down and stay on someone, you'll know that person is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen this and have declared that this is the Son of God." John 1:32-34 “God's Word” Translation of the Bible

God showed John that this is the one for whom he was preparing the way, that Jesus was (and is) the saviour of the world (Messiah).

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible and commentaries in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2013 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.3.0, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iJohn Darby's Synopsis, notes for Matthew 3:13-17

iiAlbert Barnes' commentary on the Bible, notes for Matthew 3:15.

iiiMatthew Henery's concise commentary, notes for Matthew 3:13-17

Predictions of Jesus as Saviour

Predictions of Jesus coming into the world.

The following is an only an introduction to the predictions of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the saviour of the world.

“I'm declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He'll wound your head, you'll wound his heel." Genesis 3:15, The Message.

The first prediction of the Jesus as the saviour is in the wake of the first sin event.ⁱ This is a gracious promise to deliver a fallen humanity from Satan's power. “Here was the dawning of the gospel day.” The wound to the head of the serpent signifies being destroyed and ruined by the redeemer (Jesus Christ). “His subtle politics shall all be baffled, his usurped power shall be entirely crushed, and he shall be for ever a captive to the injured honour of divine sovereignty.”ⁱⁱ

Here God gives notice of 3 things concerning Jesus Christ:ⁱⁱⁱ

1. That He would be born of a woman.

2. That He would suffer and die.

3. That He would be victorious over Satan.

GOD, your God, is going to raise up a prophet for you. GOD will raise him up from among your kinsmen, a prophet like me. Listen obediently to him. This is what you asked GOD, your God, for at Horeb on the day you were all gathered at the mountain and said, "We can't hear any more from GOD, our God; we can't stand seeing any more fire. We'll die!" And GOD said to me, "They're right; they've spoken the truth. I'll raise up for them a prophet like you from their kinsmen. I'll tell him what to say and he will pass on to them everything I command him. And anyone who won't listen to my words spoken by him, I will personally hold responsible. Deuteronomy 18:15-19, The Message.

Though some take Deuteronomy 18:15-19 to refer to a line of prophets this in fact refers to Jesus Christ as a prophet.^iv John 5:45-47 is taken as Jesus stating that Moses referred to Him in Deuteronomy 18.^v

The LORD says, "Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times." Micah 5:2, The Good News Bible.

Bethlehem was often not mentioned when the cities of Judah were listed, because it had an insignificant size and population. When the Gospels say Bethlehem is not the least, they really saying it is the greatest from God's view point as the birth place of the saviour. God chooses the insignificant things of this world to eclipse the greatest.^vi

When the wise men came from the East, this prophecy was quoted^vii to tell where to find the king of the Jews. The birth place of the Messiah was predicted to be Bethlehem as a way of encouraging the faith of God's people.^viii

Bethlehem was formerly known as Ephrathah^ix. In this prophecy both names are used to give greater certainty. Ephrathah also means “house of bread” which is a proper place for Jesus to be born as He is the bread of life.^x

The Messiah is described in Micah 5:1-6 as:

1. Being eternal.

2. Being a mediator as the ruler of Israel.^xi

“So the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She'll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us).” Isaiah 7:14, The Message.

It was predicted that Jesus would be born to a virgin hundreds of years before it happened.^xii This prediction was also an assurance that the city and nation would not be destroyed by the current threat.^xiii Being born of a virgin signifies Jesus' divine power and purity.^xiv The name Immanuel is a description of Jesus' character, being the Son of God.^xv

“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David's kingdom and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice. The LORD All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.” Isaiah 9:6-7 Contemporary English Version.

Reference to “A child” in this verse is taken to be a mention of the Messiah, not only by Christians, but by Jews. The prophets often speak of things that will happen as though they have already happened, here the statement that: “A child has been born for us” could be stated as “A child will be born for us”.^xvi

Isaiah 53 speaks of how the Saviour was to be rejected by His own people.

Even though he had performed all these miracles in their presence, they did not believe in him, so that what the prophet Isaiah had said might come true: "Lord, who believed the message we told? To whom did the Lord reveal his power?" John 12:37-38 Good News Bible.

There's much more on this subject, I encourage my readers to search the Scriptures themselves.

© Ken Glasgow 2011 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iGenesis 3:15.

iiMatthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Gen 3:15

iiiJohn Wesley's explanatory notes. Gen 3:15

ivJohn Darby's Synopsis, Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Deuteronomy 18

vAlbert Barnes' Notes on the Bible. Deuteronomy 18:15-19

viJamison, Fausset & Brown Commentary. Micah 5:2

viiSee Matthew 2:1-6.

viiiMatthew Henry's concise commentary. Micah 5:1-6

ixSee also Genesis 35:19.

xJohn Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. Micah 5:2

xiMatthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Micah 5:1-6

xiiIsaiah 7:14.

xiiiJohn Wesley's explanatory notes. Isaiah 7:14

xivMatthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible. Isa 7:14

xvJamieson Fausset & Brown Commentary & John Wesley's explanatory notes. Isa 7:14

xviJohn Wesley's explanatory notes. Isaiah 9:6

Solidarity with Shouwang Church in Beijing

Solidarity with Shouwang Church in Beijing

An Appeal from Churches and Christians Worldwide

May 10th, 2011

We the undersigned, churches and individual Christians from all over the world, stand in solidarity with our fellow believers from Shouwang Church in Beijing and call on the Chinese government to end the religious persecution of this church and its members and to uphold the right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Chinese constitution.

During the past few weeks, the Christians of Shouwang Church have been deprived of a place of worship, whether indoors or outdoor. Many church members have been detained, interrogated and even physically abused; church leaders were placed under extra-judicial house arrest for weeks. Authorities even prevented the congregation from holding its service on Easter Sunday, the most important holiday of the Christian calendar. All these governmental actions are direct violations of the human rights clauses of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and also violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which the Chinese government itself is a signatory. Our appeal expresses the views of and is endorsed by churches and individual Christians from around the world. It is entirely without any political agenda and free from any government involvement. It is simply a voice of conscience, a call to respect human dignity and to recognize the inalienable rights accorded to every human being, particularly, in this case, to the leaders and members of Shouwang Church in Beijing.

We acknowledge that China has made remarkable economic progress in the past three decades. The Chinese government deserves recognition for its policies which have improved the lives of hundreds of millions of poverty-stricken Chinese and raised the literacy level through compulsory education. In the area of social justice and human rights, however, China has failed to make commensurate progress.

Economic growth without reforms in social justice and human rights could result in great harm for the Chinese people, and could have catastrophic consequences for Chinese society if left unaddressed. We as churches and individual Christians therefore appeal to the Chinese government to end its repressive political actions against Shouwang Church and it members. In so doing, it will demonstrate its respect for human rights and human dignity, social justice, and the Chinese constitution.

Christian churches around the world are all One in the Body of Christ. As members of this Body, we stand in solidarity with, pray for and suffer with Shouwang Church.

May the Lord’s blessing be on Shouwang Church and may He sustain her in this time of testing, grant her grace, wisdom and perseverance, and establish her like “a city on a hill” as described in the Bible to manifest the glory of our Lord.

You may sign your name here (http://www.helpsw.org/p/helpshouwang.html), and then email: zhichishouwang@gmail.com

May God Bless You!

Source: http://www.helpsw.org/p/statement-en.html

At 11AM today (20 July 2011) in my time zone there were over 4500 signatures on the petition.

For further information I recommend reading the Bible, e-sword, a free downloadable program includes many translations of the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2011

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

Worldwide “Help Shouwang” Signature Campaign.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
China Aid Association
Source: http://www.chinaaid.org/2011/05/leading-chinese-pastors-in-north.html?utm_source=BP_recent

(Washington, DC – May 11, 2011) Leading Chinese church pastors in the United States and Canada have launched a worldwide “Help Shouwang” signature campaign in hopes that drawing attention to the Chinese government’s crackdown on one of Beijing’s largest house churches will stay the leadership’s hand from imposing harsh punishment against the church and its leaders.

The effort was initiated by some former members of Shouwang Church who are now pastors of Chinese churches in the United States. Their bilingual May 10 appeal has already been signed by some of the most well-known pastors of Chinese congregations in the United States and Canada.

They include Boli Zhang, the former 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement student leader who now pastors the D.C.-area Harvest Chinese Christian Church; Yujian Hong, a Shanghai-native who converted to Christianity while studying for his PhD in the United States and now serves as senior pastor of Faith Chinese North American Baptist Church in Vancouver, Canada; and Tongsu Liu, the Western legal philosophy scholar and Yale Law School and Yale Divinity School graduate who is now senior pastor of Mountain View Chinese Christian Church in California.

“Our appeal expresses the views of and is endorsed by churches and individual Christians from around the world,” the appeal said. “It is entirely without any political agenda and free from any government involvement.”

“It is simply a voice of conscience, a call to respect human dignity and to recognize the inalienable rights accorded to every human being, particularly, in this case, to the leaders and members of Shouwang Church in Beijing,” the appeal, entitled “Solidarity with Shouwang Church in Beijing,” continued.

While acknowledging the economic progress that China has made in the past 30 years, the appeal noted, “In the area of social justice and human rights, however, China has failed to make commensurate progress.”

It warned, “Economic growth without reforms in social justice and human rights could result in great harm for the Chinese people, and could have catastrophic consequences for Chinese society if left unaddressed.”

Calling on the government to “end its repressive political actions against Shouwang Church and it members,” the appeal said that in this way, the Chinese government could “demonstrate its respect for human rights and human dignity, social justice, and the Chinese constitution.”

The full appeal in English is available here:
http://www.helpsw.org/p/statement-en.html
The full appeal in Chinese is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tO-3oi8m2spu4aZzYFEkaMhrkY9ouHdq-QKZkrbnZ1A/edit?hl=en&pli=1#

A “Help Shouwang” website has been set up at www.HelpSW.org to collect signatures and for people to leave comments. Signatures can also be e-mailed to: zhichishouwang@gmail.com

Churches in the free world are also encouraged to organize special activities to show their solidarity with Shouwang, such as holding an Outdoor Sunday Worship Service or prayer service dedicated to Shouwang, or organizing a “One-Mile Walk for Persecuted Shouwang” or an art performance or event dedicated to supporting Shouwang church members in their fight for freedom to worship.

Church leaders in the free world could also engage in a two- to four-day period of “self-confinement” at home, as an act of solidarity with Shouwang’s clergy and lay leaders who have been under informal house arrest since early April, and write and post their reflections at www.HelpSW.org and on the Shouwang Facebook page.

For further information, please contact:
Timothy Hsu
Email: zhichishouwang@gmail.com
Phone: 508-890-8880 (10:00am-4:00pm EDT)

ChinaAid Contacts
Rachel Sparkman, Media Coordinator
Tel: (888) 889-7757, or Rachel@ChinaAid.org
Mark Shan, CAA Spokesperson
Tel: (267) 205-5210, or Mark@ChinaAid.org
Website: www.ChinaAid.org and www.MonitorChina.org

For further information I recommend reading the Bible, e-sword, a free downloadable program includes many translations of the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2011

This post was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

Tithes & Offerings.

I have heard this being compared to paying for a meal at a restaurant, if you are fed you pay. If you are fed spiritually in a church you pay there...ⁱ

© Ken Glasgow 2011

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iThis was Pastor Col Stringer, then Senior Pastor at Faith Centre Christian Church, Darwin.

North Korea, where Christians suffer the greatest persecution.

North Korea.

Updated 21 January 2013

“Amnesty called on North Korea, one of the world's most secretive states, to close all political prison camps and to release all prisoners of conscience.”¹

North Korea is first on Open Doors International's “World Watch List” of nations where Christians suffer persecution, for the eleventh consecutive year.² Though the country remains closed to the outside world, economic hardship and widespread famines have created some openings for compassionate relief ministries.³
Korea was occupied by Japan from 1910-1945 and divided because of the insistance of the Russians after World War 2.²⁴ Communist leaders gained control in 1948.³
In 1950 North Korea invaded the south the war continued until 1953.²⁴ This war caused significant hardship.³ War nearly broke out again in the late 1990s but was prevented by diplomacy.³ Tensions between the two nations remain high.³ Though North Korea is closed to the outside world there are some openings for compassionate relief ministries due to the widespread famines and hardship.³ It is estimated that 300,000 North Koreans are hiding in China's north-eastern border region with North Korea.
Though there once many Jews and Christians in North Korea it is now one of the most ethnically homogeneous nations in the world. In 1993 the economy was close to collapsing with severe rationing of basic foods.⁴ It is estimated that between 2,000,000 – 3,500,000 people have died of starvation as a result.⁴⁵ Billions in humanitarian aid have been shipped to North Korea, more than enough to feed the nation’s population, but government and academic studies have revealed that North Korea systematically diverted the aid, using it to bolster its military might while millions, for whom the aid was intended, starved to death.⁵

Population.

In 2008 the population was estimated at about 23.5 Million.⁶ The majority have never heard the name of Jesus.⁴

Language.

The official language is Korean which is related to Japanese and influenced by Chinese vocabulary.⁷

Land.

Eastern Asia 46,540 sq. miles (120,538 sq. Km).³ The Chaeryong and Pyongyang plains in the south west are the main agricultural land. 18% of the land is arable and 74% of the terrain is forested.⁷

Religion.

“Every religious activity is recognised as insurrection to the North Korean socialist principles.³
The government promotes 2 ideologies, strongly opposed to any form of religion:“Juche”, the self-reliance of man and “Kimilsungism”, the worship of the leaders.²

Christians.

There are about 2-500,000 Christians in North Korea.²³
Before the war there was a revival started in North Korea. Pyongyang became 13% Christian (about 500,000 believers). Three churches remain for propaganda purposes, but nearly all believers are part of unregistered underground churches. Since the war with the South all churches and their members have been required to be registered with the government.³

Persecution.

“Harsh, growing.”³
Under the Japanese persecution of Christians was intense as people were pressed to adopt Shinto as the national religion.³
During the war most either fled south or were martyred. As the North Korean army was retreating they massacred Christians to prevent their liberation.³
At first the communists attempted to win the support of Christians while suppressing those working for political freedom. When this failed the government began an to systematically eradicate Christianity with the confiscation of church buildings and imprisonment of church leaders.³
North Korea is desperately mobilising every resource of power to control society in order to eradicate Christian activities. Combat campaigns of 100 and 150 days have been used by the government to try very hard to demolish the street market system. Many Christians have been exposed during strict searches. The North Korean regime has especially targeted secret Christians in these campaigns to arrest and kill them. “They have arrested and tortured Christians in various horrible ways, such as sometimes using them as a means of testing biological or chemical weapons.”⁸
People can be arrested and put into labour camps for simply hearing the Gospel.⁹ Christians who are discovered are either killed or put into labour camps, their families, being considered guilty by association can be punished too.¹⁰
In the first six months of 2011 more than 14,000 people fled North Korea. China is the first destination of almost all about 15% move to South Korea but most spend more than 3 years in China to cover their tracks.¹¹ Some take the “underground railroad” to Thailand where they can go to South Korea with the aid of the embassy.¹²
The Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem, describes the use of gas chambers for murders and medical experiments on political dissidents and their families as being similar to the holocaust under Nazi Germany.¹³
In spite of the persecution the Church is growing and opportunities to hear the Gospel are increasing especially near the border with China.⁸

Examples of Persecution:

• Eddie Jun was arrested and accused of committing a serious crime against North Korea, spreading Christianity.¹⁴
  
• Former North Korean officials and prisoners have said that in re-education camps and prisons Christians are singled out for harsher treatment.¹⁵
  
• According to Amnesty International's Asia Pacific director, Sam Zarifi, the existence of mass political prison camps is no longer deniable. “Mr Zarifi said: 'Hundreds of thousands of people exist with virtually no rights, treated essentially as slaves, in some of the worst circumstances we’ve documented in the last 50 years.'” People are worked 16-18 hour days in dangerous conditions. Some died of starvation or as a result of accidents while others were executed.¹
  

The Future.

The government may either launch new persecution or open up to the Gospel. There is optimism for the future of the church with the church growing rapidly. By 2050 there are likely to be more than a million Christians in North Korea. Many observers of North Korea expect the current restrictions to be lifted early this century. If this happens Christianity could spread quickly through the population just like it did in South Korea.³

Prayer Points:

• That the leaders will come to know the Lord Jesus and that the time will come when Jesus may be worshipped openly.⁴
• Believers to be able to safely obtain Bibles.⁴
• For God to raise a revival initiated by the North Korean believers who remain.¹⁶
• For grace, endurance and freedom for believers.⁴
• For the people to become aware of a God shaped void in their lives, that only He can fill.⁴
• For the many students who were in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at the time of the collapse of Communism and heard the Gospel to stand firm and grow despite the hostile spiritual environment.⁴
• For North Korea to open up to the Gospel.⁴
• For discreet ways to spread the Gospel and for a large number will be ready to evangelise when North Korea opens up to the Gospel.³
• For the emptiness of the worship of government leadership of be revealed and for people to seek the true God.³
• For the creative means of getting the Gospel into North Korea to be successful.³

As always I encourage readers to seek more information by reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2013

This page was written using Open Office 3.3.0, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

1“Daily Mail Reporter”, 2011, Revealed: North Korea's growing gulags where 200,000 are imprisoned and many don't even know what they're accused of, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1383718/Revealed-North-Koreas-huge-political-prisoner-camps-200-000-held-having-wrong-relatives.html?ITO=1490

2Anonymous, 2013, #1 North Korea, World Watch List 2013, http://www.worldwatchlist.com.au/country.cfm?country=north-korea.

3Companjen J & Long J, 2000, Please Pray For Us praying for persecuted Christians in 52 nations, Bethany House, Minneapolis, Minnesota, pages 108-111.

4Johnstone P, 1993, Operation World pray for the world, Crossroad Distributors Pty Ltd, Rydalmere, NSW pages 334-335.

5Robert Park 2011, When will we stop the genocide in North Korea?, http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/when-will-we-stop-the-genocide-in-north-korea/2011/03/29/AFqXaMEE_story.html

6Anonymous, 2008, SBS World Guide 16^th edition, Hardie Grant Books, South Yarra, Victoria, pages 397-400.

7Anonymous, 2002, SBS World Guide 10^th edition, Hardie Grant Books, South Yarra, Victoria, pages 415-418.

8Anonymous, 2010, #1 North Korea, World Watch List 2010, http://www.worldwatchlist.com.au/country.cfm?country=north-korea. (Not currently at that U.R.L.)

9'Spiritualcourage' 2011, An Amazing North Korea Story, http://spiritualcourage.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/an-amazing-north-korea-story/

10'Spiritualcourage' 2011, Life in North Korea, http://spiritualcourage.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/life-in-north-korea/

11Joseph Yun Li-sun, 2011, Dissidents fleeing North on the increase, because Pyongyang and Beijing, http://www.asianews.it/viee4print.php?1=en&art=22011 (no longer at this URL).

12Patrick Winn, 2011, North Korea defectors take to the Underground Railroad”, http://www.globalpost.com/print/5649495 (no longer at this URL).

13Robert Park 2011, When will we stop the genocide in North Korea?, http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/when-will-we-stop-the-genocide-in-north-korea/2011/03/29/AFqXaMEE_story.html

14Foster Klug 2011, N. Korea to Free Detained American, http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,9916,2074369,00.html (no longer at this URL).

15Joseph Yun Li-sun, 2011, The family of Dictator Kim Il-sung were devout Christians, http://www.asianews.it/news-en/The-family-of-Dictator-Kim-Il-sung-were-devout-Christians-21409.html

16'Spiritualcourage' 2011, How did North Kowea become #1 ofnthe World Watch List?, http://spiritualcourage.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/how-did-north-korea-become-1-on-the-world-watch-list/.