Nearly 1 martyr per hour: Christian persecution intensifies in 2015

Spread of Islam threatens Christians.

Christians are being driven to extinction in the Middle East and experts now believe they could be gone in as little as five years. Experts say that 2015 was the worst year on record for Christian persecution with thousands killed for the faith worldwide.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Over 7,000 Christians died for their faith in 2015, a number that is nearly equivalent to one martyrdom per hour. The startling figure comes from Open Doors USA, which has released its 2015 figures on Christian persecution.

The worst countries for Christian persecution were North Korea, Nigeria, Eritrea, and Pakistan. Islamic expansion is seen as the major driving force, pushing Christians out of the Middle East through genocide and other forms of persecution.

In 2003, the number of Christians in the Middle East reached a peak of 1.5 million souls. Today, there are less than 275,000.

North Korea is perpetually at the top of the list for Christian persecution, with 70,000 of that nation's 300,000 Christians imprisoned in forced labor camps. Eritrea is also a hot spot for Christian persecution because the government is hostile to Christians.

However, the largest block of nations for Christian persecution come from the Middle East. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria are prime locations where Christians are being systematically eradicated through genocide and forced relocation. In Africa, militant Islam is pushing Christians our of parts of Nigeria, Sudan and Libya.

In Iraq, the city of Mosul was once a Christian stronghold, home to one of the most ancient Christian communities in the world. Today, there are no Christians in Mosul, thanks to the Islamic State.

The top 10 list of countries where Christian persecution is the worst is:

North Korea, Iraq, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Iran and Libya.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

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