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To Every Tongue To Every Nation The 10/40 Window The 10/40 Window Religions Prophetic Signs The Gospel Will be Preached 2004 - Year of World Evangelism

In the Great Commission and in the prophecies, Jesus said that "the gospel must be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations - and then the end will come". Matthew 24: 14; Matthew 28: 19
In the last days, prophecy predicts the spread of this gospel.
And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. (Revelation 14: 6)

We have several barriers to meeting this challenge. But God is providing a way to meet them.

- Language. With over 6,500 languages the task seems impossible. Each aspect of a language poses a unique set of problems. This confines us to producing material by population size.
  - Spoken Language. There is a problem with dialects, pronunciation and the availability of qualified people to teach the gospel. Also, a single written word can have several meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce the word.
  - Written Language. There are about 32 active scripts in the world. Among these there are three distinct methods for forming ideas.
    1. Alphabets and Abjads. Use alphabets (consonants and vowels) to represent sounds. Abjad systems use consonants only. The ancient Hebrews used this method. The Hawaiian alphabet has 12 letters, the English have 26.
    2. Syllabaries. A separate symbol for each syllable of a language.
    3. Logographic Scripts. Symbols which represent words. The Chinese have 50,000 symbols. This fact causes the written Chinese to be understood by many, while the spoken language is different.
  - Computer Language. This presents another set of challenges. While the Latin scripts are displayed as they appear in a file. Other scripts look different for each character set. Therefore, the writer has to be familiar with two languages.
    For example, on the screen the word for Russian is .
    But in the file it looks this different for every character set.
- Population. With an estimated population of 6,233,821,945 in 2002 and an annual growth rate of 1.3%, 80 million people are added to the planet each year. This makes it less likely that the church can reach each individual one at a time.
- Religion. Countries in the resistant belt do not welcome Christianity.
- Conversion Laws. They restrict missionary activity.

The Resistant Belt (The 10/40 Window)
This is a region that is located between ten degrees north and forty degrees north of the equator.
66% of the population lives in this region. An estimated 95% are not evangelized. Some have never heard the gospel.

Day | Asia | Middle East | Africa
--- | --- | --- | ---
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 | • Azerbaijan • Bangladesh • Bhutan • Brunei • Cambodia • China • India • Indonesia • Japan • North Korea • South Korea • Kyrgyzstan • Laos • Macau • Malaysia • Maldives • Mongolia • Myanmar • Nepal • New Guinea • Philippines • Singapore • Sri Lanka • Taiwan • Thailand • Tibet • Uzbekistan • Vietnam | • Afghanistan • Bahrain • Iran • Iraq • Israel • Jordan • Kazakhstan • Kuwait • Lebanon • Oman • Pakistan • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Syria • Tajikstan • Turkey • Turkmenistan • UAE • Yemen Europe • Albania • Cyprus • Greece • Italy | • Algeria • Benin • Burkina Faso • Cameroon • Cnt. African Rep. • Chad • Djibouti • Egypt • Eritrea • Ethiopia • Gambia • Ghana • Guinea • Guinea-Bissau • Ivory Coast • Liberia • Libya • Mali • Mauritania • Morocco • Niger • Nigeria • Senegal • Sierra Leone • Somalia • Sudan • Togo • Tunisia • Western Sahara
Dominant religions : | Buddhist | Hindu | Islam
--- | --- | --- | ---
The countries of the 10/40 window
Point to a country on the map or click on the name in the prayer schedule to find out more about it. Use the monthly prayer schedule on the right to pray for three countries every day. | Every day, pray for a country in each of the three regions Africa, Asia, Middle East and Europe). Repeat this every month. Fast on the first Sunday of each month for global evangelism.

The Gospel To Every Tribe And People
People groups are from a defined region in which they share a common ethnicity, race, language, culture or religion.
Understanding each group might help us to formulate the right social doctrine. As we teach them about their need for Christ we also take steps to look at their social needs.

Unreached People Groups (2002 Estimates)
Group | Location | Religion | People
--- | --- | --- | ---
Arab | North Africa to Iraq | Islam | Arab (Arabian, Bedouin, Levant, Libyan, Maghreb, Shuwa, Sudan, Yemeni) Berber (Kabyle, Riff, Saharan, Shawiya, Tashelhayt, Tuareg), Egyptian, Hassaniya, Tamazight
Sub-Saharan Africa | Band below the Sahara and above central Africa | Islam | Bagirmi-Chari, Chad-Saharan, Chadic - Nig/Cha/Sud, Dioula, Fula, Guera-Naba, Gur, Hausa, Kanuri, Malinke, Nuba Mountains, Nubian, Ouaddai-Fur, Pygmy, Sahel-Chadian, Songhai, Soninke, Susu, Swahili, Wolof, Amo, Antakarana, Anuak, Atwot, Awak, Bale (Ethiopia, Sudan), Banda-Ndele, Banga (Bangawa), Banta Themne (Buya-Romende), Bara, Batemi (Watemi, Sonjo), Biafada (Biafar), Bolon, Bullom (Northern Bullom), Cham-Mwana, Didinga (Xaroxa,Toi), Digo (Kenya, Tanzania), Dirim, Duguri (Dugurawa), Dukawa (Dukkawa), Dzuungoo (Samogho), Fali (North), Feleupe (Diola, Jola), Foodo, Gengle, Gio (Dan, Yakuba, Diabula), Gola (Gula), Gua, Gusilay, Hwla, Konkomba ,Iberogen, Idaca, Idaksahak, Igdalen, Iku, Ingessana (Tabi), Kami, Kissi, Koma Ndera, Koma, (Central (Komo), North (Kwama), South) Koro, Koti, Kunante (Maswanka), Kwanka (Kadun), Landoma (Landouman), Ligbi (Nigwi, Weela, Nwela, Vwela , Banda), Loko (Landogo), Lulba, Maban-Jumjum (Meban), Madi Southern, Mahi, Makua (Makhuwa), Makwe, Mandyak (Manjaco), Mankanya (Mancanha), Mano (Ngere, Mawe, Manon), Marendje, Marka, Mau (Mahu), Mengaka (Bagam ), Mesengo (Majang), Mumuye, Mwani (Muwame, lbo, Quimuane), Ndengereko, Ndonde (Mawanda, Wandonde), Ngan (Nguin, Gan, Beng), Ngwe, Ngwo, Njeng, Nuna (Nunuma, Southern), Nyimang (Nyima, Ama), Pana, Papeis, Pari (Lokoro), Puku (Faka, Aror), Reshe, Gungawa, Resha, Rufiji (Ruihi, Fiji), Samoa, Samogho (Duun), Samogho (Jotoni), Seemogo, Serere (Serere-Sine), Shanga (Shangawa), Siamou (Seme), Sissala, Suri, Tanalana (Mahafaly), Taturu (Tatoga, Manga), Vai (Vey, Vy), Vai (Vy) Wamachinga, Wamakonde (Wamatambwe), Wamang'anja, Wamwera (Wamaraba), Wangindo, Wasi, Worodougou, Xwla-Gbe, Yao (Wayao), Yoruba (Anago, Nago)
Cushitic | Horn of Africa | Islam | Afar, Beja, Somali, Tigre, Ajuran, Arusi (Oromo), Borana, Daasenech (Reshiat), Dabarre, Garre, Garreh, Gawwada (Gauwada), Hamar, Hamer-Banna, Harari (Adere), Jiiddu, Kunama (Baza), Libido (Maraqo), Nara (Nialetic), Orma (Orma Galla), Raya Galla (Azebu), Zayse
Indo-Iranians | S.W. Asia | Islam | Aimaq, Baluch, Brahui, Gilaki, Kurd, Luri, Mazanderani, Pathan, Persian, Tajik, Talysh, Darwazi (Badakhshani), Deghwari, Munji-Yidgha, Nangalami (Nigalami), Nuristani (Ashkuni, Bashgali, Waigali), Pashayi (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast (Darai-Nur), Southwest), Sanglechi, Shughni, Shughni (Shugnan-Rush), Vafsi, Wakhi (Guhjali) (Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan), Wanetsi
Indo-Iranians | South Asia | Hindu | Assamese, Bengali, Bhil, Bihari, Deccani, Gond, Gujarati, Gypsy, Hazara, Hindi, Hindko, Jat, Kashmiri, Kohistani, Kond, Konkani, Maharathi, Maithili, Maldivian, Munda-Santal, Nepali-Pahari, Newar, Oriya, Punjabi, Rajasthan, Sindhi, Tamil Moor, Tharu, Tulu, Urdu, Andh (Andha, Andhni), Badaga, Bagata (Bhakta), Bathudi, Bedia, Bhadrawahi (Bhadri), Bhattri (Bhatra), Bhim, Bhottara (Dhotada), Burushas, (Hunzakot, Nagroshi ), Chenchu (Chenswar), Chero, Chik-Barik, Dehati (Deshiya), Gaddi (Pahari Bharmau), Gawar-Bati (Narisati), Gawari, Jatapu, Kaikadi, Kamar, Kanikkaran (Kani), Kannada, Kashtwari (Kistwali), Kawar (Kamari), Khetrani, Khowar (Chitralis), Koch (Banai, Konch), Kodagu (Coorg, Khurgi), Kolai (Kohistani-Shina), Kolam (Kulme), Koya (Koi, Kavor), Kumhali, Kurichiya, Kuruba (Urali), Kurumba (Southern Kannada), Laccadive Mappilla, Lodhi (Lodha), Majhwar, Manna-Dora, Mukha-Dora (Reddi), Nahari, Pahari Mandeali, Panika, Pao, Porja (Konda-Dora), Saharia (Sor), Shin (Sina, Dardi), Shina (Dras, Shin), Shumashti, Sinhalese (Singhalese), Sonha, Tangchangya, Telugu, Tipera (Tripuri), Tripuri (Tipera, Usipi), Yenadi (Yanadi, Yadi), Yerukala (Erukala)
Turkic | S.E. Europe to the Uighur in China | Islam | Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kirghiz, Manchu, Tatar, Turkish, Turkmen, Uyghur, Uzbek, Balkan Gagauzi Turk, Crimean Tatar (Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) Karachay (Alan), Kumyk (Kumuk, Khasav)
Tibetan/ Himalayan | Tibet, Mongolia, Burma, Korea, Japan | Buddhist | Bhutanese, Gurung, Magar, South Himalaya, Tibetan, West China / Lolo
Thai/Dai | South East Asia | Buddhist | Bouyei, Burmese, Dai Lu, Daic, East Katuic, Hmong, Khmer, Lao, Li, Lu, Manipuri, Miao-Yao, Mon-Khmer, Palaung, Shan, Tai Dam, Tai-Nung, Thai, Zhuang, Boloven (Love, Lawa), Brao (Proue, Love), Bru (Eastern, Western (Bru, Vankieu)), Bulang (Pula, Samtao), Cao Lan, Cham (Cambodia (Kampuchea), Laos, Vietnam ) Dong (Northern (Kam), Southern ),Hkun (Khun Shan) ( Myanmar, Thailand ), Khao, Khmu, Kui (Suai, Kuoy, Suei, Sui, Old Khmer) , Lahu, Lamet (Lemet), Lao Phuan ( Laos, Thailand ), Lao Song (Song), Lati (Phu La), Man Cao Lan, Mindat, Mru (Mro) ( Bangladesh, Myanmar, Niopreng, Mrung ) Muong (Thang, Wang), Nosu, Shengzha (Northern Yi, Lolo), Nyaw (Yo), Nyong, Ongbe (Be), Oy (Riyao), Phu Thai (Phuthai, Puthai), Roglai (Southern), Saek (Sek), Saek (Tai Sek), Shui (Sui), So (Kah So, So Makon), Stieng (Budip), Tai Red (Thai Deng), Tai Red (Tribal Tai), Tai White (Thai Trang) in (Laos, Vietnam ) Tho (Tai Tho, Tay), Yi (Lolo)
Sinitic | East Asia | Buddhist | Chinese, Chinese-Hui, Hani, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Tujia, Yao / Mien
Malay | Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. | Islam | Aceh, Bajau-Bungku, Bali, Banjar, Barito, Betawi, Borneo-Kalimantan, Bugis, Dayak, Dayak Melayu, Gorontalo, Jambi, Jawa, Kaili / Tomini, Lampung, Madura, Malay, Mandailing, Melayu-Riau, Melayu-Sumatera, Minangkabau, Musi, Ogan, Pasemah, Philippine Tribal, South Philippine/Borneo Muslim, Sasak, Sunda, Tukangbesi, Jakun (Djakun), Temuan
Eurasian | Yugoslavia, Caucasus and Russia. | Islam | Albanian, Bosnian, North Caucasus, Siberian/Arctic, Mingrelian (Laz, Zan), Pomak ( Bulgaria, Greece )
Jews | Israel and around the world | Judaism | Amhara, Beta Israel, Caucasian Mountain Jew, German Jew, Jewish, Mountain Jews, Russian Jew, Spanish Jew (Hakitia)
Mexico, Papua-New Guinea, Central Africa | - | Maluku, South American Indigenous, Tohono O'odham (Papago)
Western - Modern World | Agnostic | Atheist, agnostic, rich, educated, young, teenager, adult, science, professors, educators, armed forces
Celebrities | Agnostic | Politicians, athletes, sports figures, entertainers, movie stars
Outcast | Agnostic | Poor, homeless, prisoners, prostitutes, elderly, minorities, slaves, untouchables, migrant workers, day workers, sex industry
Popular culture | Agnostic | Homosexual, bisexual, transgender, night clubs, bars, health clubs, addicts
Teenage | Agnostic | Teenage mothers, gang members, drug clubs, social clubs
Temporary Groups | Agnostic | Spring break mobs, conventions, University fraternities and sororities

The Gospel To Every Tongue
There are over 6,500 languages. Some of the scripture has been translated into 2,212 of these. 366 have the entire bible. 928 have the New Testament. John 3: 16 is in over 3,000 languages. 80% of the world have some of the scriptures in a language they can understand.

Language Tree
Tower of Babel | Everyone spoke with the same language
--- | ---
Family | Branch | Language | Speakers (106) | Region | Script | Computer
1 | Indo-European | Germanic | English | 430 | Global | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
German | 120 | Germany | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Yiddish | - | Hebrew | utf-8
Dutch | 22 | Netherlands | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Afrikaans | South Africa | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Swedish | 9 | North Europe | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Danish | 5.4 | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Norwegian | 4.5 | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Icelandic | 0.3 | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Latin (Romance) | Spanish | 310 | Global | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Portuguese | 175 | Brazil | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
French | 115 | Global | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Italian | 63 | Italy | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Romanian | 22 | Romania | Latin | iso-8859-1, utf-8
Hellenic | Greek | 11 | Greece | Cyrillic | iso-8859-7, utf-8
Slavic | Russian | 280 | Soviet Union | Cyrillic | windows-1251, utf-8
Bulgarian | 7.6 | Bulgaria | Cyrillic | windows-1251, utf-8
Polish | 39 | Poland | Latin | iso-8859-2, utf-8
Ukrainian | 48 | Ukraine | Cyrillic | iso-8859-5, utf-8
Czech | 10 | Czech Republic | Cyrillic | iso-8859-2, utf-8
Indic | Hindi | 320 | India | Davanagari | -
Bengali | 185 | Bangladesh | Davanagari | -
Urdu | 88 | Pakistan | Nastaliq | -
Punjabi | 75 | Pakistan | Gurumukha | -
Konkani | - | India | Latin | -
Other | Nepali, Assamese, Oriya, kashmiri, Sindhi, Gujerati, Sinhalese, Maldavian, Romany
2 | Altic | Japonic | Japanese | 125 | Japan | Chinese | utf-8, EUC-JP
Korean | Korean | 68 | Korea | Hangul | utf-8, euc-kr
Mongolian | Mongolian, Buryat, Kalmyk
Tungusic | Evenki, Lamut, Manchu, Nanai, Sibo
Turkic | Turkish | 83 | Turkey | Latin | -
Other | Azeri, Turkmen, Kazakh, Kirghiz, tatar, Bashkir, Uzbek, Uigur, Chuvash, Balkar, Nogai, Salar
3 | Sino-Tibetan | Sinitic | Mandarin | 900 | China | Chinese | utf-8, big-5, gb2312
Other | Wu, Gan, Min, Hakka, Xiang, Cantonese, Yue
Tibeto-Burman | Burmese | 42 | Burma | Indian | -
Other | Tibetan, Yi, Lisu, Moso, Lahu, Karen, Kachin, Chin, Bodo, Garo, Meithei, Lushei, Newari, Murmi, Jonkha, Mizo, Lepcha, Manipuri
Tai | Thai | 62 | Thailand | South Indian | iso-8859-11, tis-620
Other | Lao, Chuang, Puyi, Tung, Nung, Shan, kam-Sui, Zhuang, Li, Be
Southern | Miao, Yao, She
4 | Afro-Asiatic | Semitic | Arabic | 185 | Middle East | Arabic | iso-8859-6
Hebrew | - | Israel | Hebrew | iso-8859-8
Maltese | 0.4 | Malta | Latin | iso-8859-1
Aramaic | - | Middle East | Latin | iso-8859-1
Other | Amharic, Tigrinya, Tigre, Aramaic, Gurage, Harari, Geez
Berber | Shluh, Tamazight, Riffian, Kabyle, Shawia, Tuareg
Cushitic | Somali, Galla, Sidamo, Beja, Afar, Saho
Chadic | Hausa
5 | Austro-Asiatic | Viet-Muong | Vietnamese | 81 | Vietnam | Latin | windows-1258
Muong | -
Mon-khmer | Khmer, Mon, Palaung, Wa, Bahnar, Sedang, Khasi, Nicobarese, So, Nancowry, Sengoi, Temiar
Munda | Santali, Mundari, Ho, Savara, Korku
6 | Uralic | Finnic | Finnish, Estonian, Mordvin, Udmurt, Mari, Votyak, Komi, Sami
Ugric | Hungarian, Ostyak, Vogul
Samoyed | Nenets, Selkup, Nganasan, Enets, Kamas
Yukaghir | Yukaghir | - | Eastern Siberia | Pictogram | -
7 | Malayo-Polynesian Austronesian | Formosan | Amis, Atayal, Paiwan, Tsou
Western | Indonesia | 140 | Indonesia | Latin | utf-8
Malay | Indonesia | Latin | -
Tagalog | 85 | Philippines | Latin | iso-8859-1
Other | Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, Visayan, Malagasy, Achinese, Batak, Buginese, Balinese, Ilocano, Bikol, Igorot, Maranao, Pampangan, Pangasinan, Jarai, Rhade, Cham
Micronesian | Marshallese, Gilbertese, Chamorro, Ponapean, Yapese, Palau, Trukese, Nauruan
Melanesian | Fijian, Motu, Yabim
Polynesian | Maori, Uvea, Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, Rarotongan, Tahitian, Tuamotu, Marquesan, Hawaiian, Rapa, Nui
8 | Caucasian | Kartvelian | Georgian, Laz, Svan, Chan, Mingrelian
Abkhaz-Adyghean | Abaza, Abkhaz, Adyghe, Kabardian, Circassian
Nakh | Chechen, Ingush, Tsova-Tush
Daghestanian | Tsez, Hunzib, Beshta, Avar, Andi, Chamali, Lak, Dargwa, Lezgian, Tabasaran, Tsakhur
9 | Dravidian | Southern | Tamil | 66 | South India | Tamil | -
Other | Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu
Central | Brahui, Gondhi, Kurukh, Kui
10 | Niger-Congo | English and French appear to be the official languages of most of these nations. But this may only be among the educated.
Mande | Mende, Malinke, Bambara, Dyula, Soninke, Susu, Kpelle, Vai, Loma
West Altantic | Fulani, Wolof, Serer, Dyola, Temne, Kissi, Gola, Balante
Voltaic | Mossi, Gurma, Dagomba, Kabre, Senufo, Bariba
Kwa | Yoruba, Ibo, Ewe, Twi, Fanti, Ga, Adangme, Fon, Edo, Urhobo, Idoma, Nupe, Agni, Baule, Kru, Grebo, Bassa
Bantu | Luba, Kongo, Lingala, Mongo, Ruanda, Rundi, Kikuyu, Kamba, Sukuma, Nyamwezi, Hehe, Chagga, Makonde, Yao, Ganda, Nkole, Chiga, Gisu, Toro, Nyoro, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, Lwena, Lunda, Shona, Fang, Bulu, YaundÃ©, Duala, Bubi, Mbundu, Chokwe, Ambo, Herero, Makua, Thonga, Sotho, Tswana, Pedi, Swazi, Zulu, Matebele, Xhosa, Venda
Swahili
Efik | Efik, Ibibio, Tiv
Adamwan | Mbum
Eastern | Zande, Sango, Gbaya, Banda
Ijo | Ijo
11 | Other | There are over 100 language families
Languages supported by Teachinghearts and available. Languages translated and waiting to be edited and loaded. Languages planned or being researched.

The Gospel To Every Nation
There are 268 nations, over six billion people. Two thirds of these are adults over fifteen years old. Among these nations there are 17,000 people groups. 8,600 of these people groups have less than 10,000 people. Each people group represents a different sub-culture separated by religion, race or language.

Global Demographics and Statistics (2002 Estimates)
Zone | Country | Population | Language | Religion
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Population Estimates
Year | Population
--- | ---
4230 B.C. | 2 (Creation)
2574 B.C. | 8 (Flood)
2474 B.C. | 2,000-10,000 (Babel)
31 | 250,000,000 (Crucifixion)
1900 | 1,619,626,000
1950 | 2,556,000,053
1970 | 3,706,618,163
2002 | 6,233,821,945
2003 | 6,314,861,630
2004 | 6,396,954,831
2005 | 6,480,115,244
2006 | 6,564,356,742
2007 | 6,649,593,380
2050 | 9,346,399,468
Language | % | Primary | # Speakers |
Religion | %
--- | ---
Christians | 32.88%
| Catholics | 17.39%
| Protestants | 5.62%
| Orthodox | 3.54%
| Anglicans | 1.31%
Muslims | 19.54%
Hindus | 13.34%
Buddhists | 5.92%
Sikhs | 0.38%
Jews | 0.24%
Other religions | 12.6%
No religion | 12.63%
Atheists | 2.47%
Mandarin Chinese | 14.37 | 895,800,213 | 1,075,000,000
Hindi (Hindustani) | 6.02 | 375,276,081 | 496,000,000
English | 5.61 | 349,717,411 | 514,000,000
Spanish | 5.59 | 348,470,646 | 425,000,000
Bengali | 3.4 | 211,949,946 | 215,000,000
Russian | 2.75 | 171,430,103 | 275,000,000
Portuguese | 2.63 | 163,949,517 | 194,000,000
Japanese | 2.06 | 128,416,732 | -
German | 1.64 | 102,234,679 | -
Korean | 1.28 | 79,792,920 | -
French | 1.27 | 79,169,538 | 129,000,000
Arabic | - | - | 256,000,000
Malay-Indonesian | - | - | 176,000,000
English is the second most widely spoken language, but it is the third primary language. Literate over 15 years old - 77% Literate males - 83% Literate females - 71%
World | 6,233,821,945
4 | Afghanistan | 27,755,775 | Persian (Dari) 50%, Pashtu 35% | Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%
2 | Albania | 3,544,841 | Albanian, Greek | Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic
0 | Algeria | 32,277,942 | Arabic, French | Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
22 | American Samoa | 68,688 | Samoan, English | Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
1 | Andorra | 68,403 | Catalan, French, Castilian, Portuguese | Roman Catholic (predominant)
1 | Angola | 10,593,171 | Portuguese | indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15%
16 | Anguilla | 12,446 | English | Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%
16 | Antigua and Barbuda | 67,448 | English | Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic)
15 | Argentina | 37,812,817 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
3 | Armenia | 3,330,099 | Armenian 96%, Russian 2% | Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 2%
16 | Aruba | 70,441 | Dutch, English | Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
8-10 | Australia | 19,546,792 | English | Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 24.3%, non-Christian 11%, other 12.6%
1 | Austria | 8,169,929 | German | Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other 17%
3 | Azerbaijan | 7,798,497 | Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3% | *Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8%
17 | Bahamas | 300,529 | English | Protestant 74%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%
4 | Bahrain | 656,397 | Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu | Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30%
6 | Bangladesh | 133,376,684 | Bengali, English | Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%
16 | Barbados | 276,607 | English | Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%
2 | Belarus | 10,335,382 | Belarusian, Russian | Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20%
1 | Belgium | 10,274,595 | Dutch 60%, French 40% | Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
18 | Belize | 262,999 | English | Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14%
0 | Benin | 6,787,625 | French, Fon and Yoruba | indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
17 | Bermuda | 63,960 | English | non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 19%
6 | Bhutan | 2,094,176 | Dzongkha | Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
16 | Bolivia | 8,445,134 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)
1 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3,964,388 | Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian | Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10%
2 | Botswana | 1,591,232 | English, Setswana | indigenous beliefs 85%, Christian 15%
15-16 | Brazil | 176,029,560 | Portuguese | Roman Catholic (nominal) 80%
16 | British Virgin Islands | 21,272 | English | Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2%
8 | Brunei | 350,898 | Malay, English, Chinese | Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10%
3 | Bulgaria | 7,621,337 | Bulgarian | Bulgarian Orthodox 83.8%, Muslim 12.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, Jewish 0.1%, Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other 2.3%
0 | Burkina Faso | 12,603,185 | French | indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%
6 | Burma (Myanmar) | 42,238,224 | Burmese | Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2%
3 | Burundi | 6,373,002 | Kirundi, French, Swahili | Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%
7 | Cambodia (Kampuchea) | 12,775,324 | Khmer 95%, French, English | Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%
1 | Cameroon | 16,184,748 | English, French, 24 other | indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
15-20 | Canada | 31,902,268 | English 59.3%, French 23.2% | Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 36%, other 18%
13 | Cape Verde | 408,760 | Portuguese | Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
17 | Cayman Islands | 36,273 | English | United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
2 | Central African Republic | 3,642,739 | French | indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
2 | Chad | 8,997,237 | French, Arabic, Sara | Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%
16 | Chile | 15,498,930 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish
8 | China | 1,284,303,705 | Mandarin | Atheist, Taoist, Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4%
7 | Christmas Island | 474 | English | Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21%
7 | Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 632 | Malay, English | Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20%
17 | Colombia | 41,008,227 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 90%
3 | Comoros | 614,382 | Arabic, French | Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
1-2 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the (Zaire) | 55,225,478 | French | Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs 10%
1 | Congo, Republic of the | 2,958,448 | French | Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
10 | Cook Islands | 20,811 | English, Maori | Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
18 | Costa Rica | 3,834,934 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, other Protestant 0.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
0 | Cote d'Ivoire | 16,804,784 | French | Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40% (2001) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
2 | Croatia | 4,390,751 | Croatian | Roman Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Muslim 1.2%, Protestant 0.4%, others and unknown 10.8%
17 | Cuba | 11,224,321 | Spanish | * 85% Roman Catholic, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented
2 | Cyprus | 767,314 | Greek, Turkish, English | Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%
2 | Czech Republic | 10,256,760 | Czech | atheist 39.8%, Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%
1 | Denmark | 5,368,854 | Danish | Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2%
3 | Djibouti | 472,810 | French, Arabic | Muslim 94%, Christian 6%
16 | Dominica | 70,158 | English, French | Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, rest 2%), none 2%, other 6%
17 | Dominican Republic | 8,721,594 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 95%
8 | East Timor | 952,618 | Tetum, Portuguese | Roman Catholic 90%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 3%, Hindu 0.5%, Buddhist, Animist
17 | Ecuador | 13,447,494 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 95%
2 | Egypt | 70,712,345 | Arabic | Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%
18 | El Salvador | 6,353,681 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 83%
1 | Equatorial Guinea | 498,144 | Spanish, French | nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
3 | Eritrea | 4,465,651 | Afar, Amharic, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya | Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
2 | Estonia | 1,415,681 | Estonian, Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish | Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Jewish
3 | Ethiopia | 67,673,031 | Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic | Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%
16 | Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) | 2,967 | English | Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
0 | Faroe Islands | 46,011 | Faroese, Danish | Evangelical Lutheran
12 | Fiji | 856,346 | English | Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority
2 | Finland | 5,183,545 | Finnish | Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Russian Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%
1 | France | 59,765,983 | French | Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%
15 | French Guiana | 182,333 | French | Roman Catholic
20 | French Polynesia Tahiti | 257,847 | French, Tahitian | Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%
1 | Gabon | 1,233,353 | French | Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%
0 | Gambia | 1,455,842 | English | Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
2 | Gaza Strip | 1,225,911 | Arabic, Hebrew, English | Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%,Jewish 0.6%
3 | Georgia | 4,960,951 | Georgian 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7% | Georgian Orthodox 65%, Muslim 11%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%
1 | Germany | 83,251,851 | German | Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3%
0 | Ghana | 20,244,154 | English | Christian 63%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 21%
0 | Gibraltar | 27,714 | English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese | Roman Catholic 76.9%, Church of England 6.9%, Muslim 6.9%, Jewish 2.3%, none or other 7%
3 | Greece | 10,645,343 | Greek | Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
13-16 | Greenland | 56,376 | Greenlandic, Danish, English | Evangelical Lutheran
17 | Grenada | 89,211 | English | Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%
17 | Guadeloupe | 435,739 | French | Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant 1%
10 | Guam | 160,796 | English | Roman Catholic 85%, other 15%
18 | Guatemala | 13,314,079 | Spanish | Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
0 | Guernsey | 64,587 | English, French | Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist
0 | Guinea | 7,775,065 | French | Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
0 | Guinea-Bissau | 1,345,479 | Portuguese | indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5%
15 | Guyana | 698,209 | English | Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5%
17 | Haiti | 7,063,722 | French | Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%,Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982) Voodoo (50%)
1 | Holy See (Vatican City) | 900 | Italian | Roman Catholic
18 | Honduras | 6,560,608 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority
8 | Hong Kong | 7,303,334 | Chinese (Cantonese), English | eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
2 | Hungary | 10,075,034 | Hungarian | Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%
0 | Iceland | 279,384 | Icelandic, English, German | Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002)
5 | India | 1,045,845,226 | Hindi 30%, English, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani | Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5%
7-8 | Indonesia | 231,328,092 | Bahasa Indonesia, English, Dutch | Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1%
3 | Iran | 66,622,704 | Persian (Farsi) 58%, Turkic 26% | Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 10%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 1%
3 | Iraq | 24,001,816 | Arabic, Kurdish | Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%),Christian or other 3%
0 | Ireland | 3,883,159 | English | Roman Catholic 91.6%, Church of Ireland 2.5%, other 5.9%
2 | Israel | 6,029,529 | Hebrew, Arabic, English | Jewish 80.1%, Muslim 14.6% (mostly Sunni Muslim), Christian 2.1%, other 3.2%
1 | Italy | 57,715,625 | Italian | predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community
17 | Jamaica | 2,680,029 | English | Protestant 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican 5.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other, including some spiritual cults 34.7%
9 | Japan | 126,974,628 | Japanese | Both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)
0 | Jersey | 89,775 | English, French | Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian
2 | Jordan | 5,307,470 | Arabic, English | Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations)
6 | Kazakhstan | 16,741,519 | Russian 95%, Kazakh 64.4% | Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
3 | Kenya | 31,138,735 | English, Swahili | Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim 10%, other 2%
12 | Kiribati | 96,335 | Kiribati, English | Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant (Congregational) 40%, some Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, and Church of God
9 | Korea, North | 22,224,195 | Korean | Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo
9 | Korea, South | 48,324,000 | Korean | Christian 49%, Buddhist 47%, Confucianist 3%, Shamanist, Chondogyo, and other 1%
3 | Kuwait | 2,111,561 | Arabic, English | Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, other 15%
5 | Kyrgyzstan | 4,822,166 | Kyrgyz, Russian | Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
7 | Laos | 5,777,180 | Lao, French, English | Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
2 | Latvia | 2,366,515 | Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian | Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
2 | Lebanon | 3,677,780 | Arabic, French, English, Armenian | Muslim 70% (including Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 30% (including Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Protestant), Jewish
2 | Lesotho | 2,207,954 | Sesotho, English, Zulu, Xhosa | Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%
0 | Liberia | 3,288,1 8 | English 20% | indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
2 | Libya | 5,368,585 | Arabic, Italian, English | Sunni Muslim 97%
1 | Liechtenstein | 32,842 | German | Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)
2 | Lithuania | 3,601,138 | Lithuanian, Polish, Russian | Roman Catholic (primarily), Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical Christian Baptist, Muslim, Jewish
1 | Luxembourg | 448,569 | Luxembourgish, German, French | Roman Catholic, few Protestants, Jews, and Muslims
8 | Macau | 461,833 | Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese) | Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35%
1 | Macedonia (Yugoslav) | 2,054,800 | Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3% | Macedonian Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%
3 | Madagascar | 16,473,477 | French, Malagasy | indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
3 | Malawi | 10,701,824 | English, Chichewa | Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 3%, other 2%
7 | Malaysia | 22,662,365 | Bahasa Melayu, English, Chinese | Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; note - in addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia
5 | Maldives | 320,165 | Maldivian Dhivehi | Sunni Muslim
0 | Mali | 11,340,480 | French, Bambara 80% | Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
2 | Malta | 397,499 | Maltese, English | Roman Catholic 98%
0 | Isle of Man | 73,873 | English | Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends
10 | Marshall Islands | 73,630 | English, Marshallese | Christian (mostly Protestant)
17 | Martinique | 422,277 | French | Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
0 | Mauritania | 2,828,858 | Arabic, Wolof | Muslim 100%
4 | Mauritius | 1,200,206 | English, French | Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%
4 | Mayotte | 170,879 | Mahorian, French 35% | Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic)
18 | Mexico | 103,400,165 | Spanish | * Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%
10 | Micronesia, Federated States of | 135,869 | English | Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%
3 | Moldova | 4,434,547 | Moldovan, Russian | Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5%
1 | Monaco | 31,987 | French | Roman Catholic 90%
8 | Mongolia | 2,694,432 | Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian | Tibetan Buddhist Lamaism 96%, Muslim (primarily in the southwest), Shamanism, and Christian 4%
17 | Montserrat | 8,437 | English | Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
0 | Morocco | 31,167,783 | Arabic, French | Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
3 | Mozambique | 19,607,519 | Portuguese | indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
1 | Namibia | 1,820,916 | Afrikaans, German, English 7%, | Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
12 | Nauru | 12,329 | Nauruan, English | Christian ( Protestant 67%, Roman Catholic 33%)
6 | Nepal | 25,873,917 | Nepali | Hinduism 86.2%, Buddhism 7.8%, Islam 3.8%, other 2.2%
1 | Netherlands | 16,067,754 | Dutch | Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40%
17 | Netherlands Antilles | 214,258 | Dutch | Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist
10 | New Caledonia | 207,858 | French | Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%
12 | New Zealand | 3,908,037 | English | Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33%
18 | Nicaragua | 5,023,818 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant
1 | Niger | 10,639,744 | French | Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian
1 | Nigeria | 129,934,911 | English | Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
22 | Niue | 2,134 | Niuean, English | Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 75%, Latter-Day Saints 10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist)
10 | Norfolk Island | 1,866 | English | Anglican 37.4%, Uniting Church in Australia 14.5%, Roman Catholic 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, none 12.2%, unknown 17.4%, other 3.9% (1996)
9 | Northern Mariana Islands | 77,311 | English | Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
1 | Norway | 4,525,116 | Norwegian | Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and unknown 10%
4 | Oman | 2,713,462 | Arabic, English | Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
5 | Pakistan | 147,663,429 | Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu 8%, English | Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%
10 | Palau | 19,409 | English and Palauan | Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists, Je ovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (33%)
18 | Panama | 2,882,329 | Spanish, English | Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
9-10 | Papua New Guinea | 5,172,033 | pidgin English and 715 languages | Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous 34%
16 | Paraguay | 5,884,491 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant
17 | Peru | 27,949,639 | Spanish | Roman Catholic 90%
8 | Philippines | 84,525,639 | Filipino (tagalog), English | Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
9 | Pitcairn Islands | 47 | English | Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
1 | Poland | 38,625,478 | Polish | Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5%
0 | Portugal | 10,084,245 | Portuguese | Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant
16 | Puerto Rico | 3,957,988 | Spanish, English | Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
4 | Qatar | 793,341 | Arabic, English | Muslim 95%
4 | Reunion | 743,981 | French | Roman Catholic 86%, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist
3 | Romania | 22,317,730 | Romanian, Hungarian, German | Eastern Orthodox 87%, Protestant 6.8%, Catholic 5.6%, other (mostly Muslim) 0.4%, unaffiliated 0.2%
9 | Russia | 144,978,573 | Russian | Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other
3 | Rwanda | 7,398,074 | Kinyarwanda, French, English, Swahili | Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)
0 | Saint Helena | 7,317 | English | Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic
17 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 38,736 | English | Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
16 | Saint Lucia | 160,145 | English | Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3%
16 | Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 6,954 | French | Roman Catholic 99%
16 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 116,394 | English | Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant
12 | Samoa | 178,631 | Samoan, English | Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)
1 | San Marino | 27,730 | Italian | Roman Catholic
1 | Sao Tome and Principe | 170,372 | Portuguese | Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist)
3 | Saudi Arabia | 23,513,330 | Arabic | Muslim 100%
0 | Senegal | 10,589,571 | French, Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka | Muslim 94%, indigenous beliefs 1%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic)
2 | Serbia and Montenegro (Yugoslavia) | 10,656,929 | Serbian 95%, Albanian 5% | Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 11%
4 | Seychelles | 80,098 | English, French | Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1%
0 | Sierra Leone | 5,614,743 | English, Mende, Temne, Krio understood by 95% | Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
7 | Singapore | 4,452,732 | Chinese, Malay, Tamil, English | Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist
1 | Slovakia | 5,422,366 | Slovak, Hungarian | Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
1 | Slovenia | 1,932,917 | Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 6% | Roman Catholic (Uniate 2%) 70.8%, Lutheran 1%, Muslim 1%, atheist 4.3%, other 22.9%
11 | Solomon Islands | 494,786 | Melanesian pidgin | Anglican 45%, Roman Catholic 18%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 12%, Baptist 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, other Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs 4%
3 | Somalia | 7,753,310 | Somali, Arabic, Italian, English | Sunni Muslim
2 | South Africa | 43,647,658 | Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu | Christian 68% (includes most whites and Coloreds, about 60% of blacks and about 40% of Indians), Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5% (60% of Indians), indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5%
0 | Spain | 40,077,100 | Spanish 74%, Catalan 17% | Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
6 | Sri Lanka (Ceylon) | 19,576,783 | Sinhala 74%, Tamil 18%, English 10% | Buddhist 70%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 7% (1999)
3 | Sudan | 37,090,298 | Arabic | Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)
16 | Suriname | 436,494 | Arabic, English | Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%
0 | Svalbard | 2,868 | Russian, Norwegian | No information
2 | Swaziland | 1,123,605 | English, siSwati | Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30%
1 | Sweden | 8,876,744 | Swedish | Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist
1 | Switzerland | 7,301,994 | German 63.7%, French 19.2%, Italian 7.1% | Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990)
2 | Syria | 17,155,814 | Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian | Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish
8 | Taiwan | 22,548,009 | Mandarin Chinese | mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
6 | Tajikistan | 6,719,567 | Tajik , Russian | Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5%
3 | Tanzania | 37,187,939 | Swahili, English | mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
7 | Thailand | 62,354,402 | Thai, English | Buddhist 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christian 0.5%, Hindu 0.1%, other 0.6%
0 | Togo | 5,285,501 | English | indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Muslim 20%
12 | Tokelau | 1,431 | Tokelauan , English | Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%
12 | Tonga | 106,137 | Tongan, English | Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
16 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1,163,724 | English | Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7%
2 | Tunisia | 9,815,644 | Arabic, French | Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
2 | Turkey | 67,308,928 | Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek | Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
5 | Turkmenistan | 4,688,963 | Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9% | Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%
17 | Turks and Caicos Islands | 18,738 | English | Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990)
12 | Tuvalu | 11,146 | Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati | Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%
3 | Uganda | 24,699,073 | English | Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous 18%
2 | Ukraine | 48,396,470 | Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian | Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish
4 | United Arab Emirates | 2,445,989 | Arabic, Persian | Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%
0 | United Kingdom | 59,778,002 | English | Anglican and Roman Catholic 40 million, Muslim 1.5 million, Presbyterian 800,000, Methodist 760,000, Sikh 500,000, Hindu 500,000, Jewish 350,000
16-21 | United States | 280,562,489 | English | Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10% (1989)
15 | Uruguay | 3,386,575 | Spanish | * Roman Catholic 66%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, other 31%
4 | Uzbekistan | 25,563,441 | Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2% | Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%
11 | Vanuatu | 196,178 | English, French | Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% (including Jon Frum Cargo cult)
16 | Venezuela | 24,287,670 | Spanish | * Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
7 | Vietnam | 81,098,416 | Vietnamese, English | Buddhist, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic, some Protestant), indigenous beliefs, Muslim
17 | Virgin Islands | 123,498 | English, Spanish | Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
12 | Wallis and Futuna | 15,585 | French | Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
2 | West Bank | 2,163,667 | Arabic, Hebrew, English | Muslim 75% (mostly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%
0 | Western Sahara | 256,177 | Arabic | Muslim
3 | Yemen | 18,701,257 | Arabic | Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu
2 | Zambia | 9,959,037 | English | Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous 1%
2 | Zimbabwe | 11,376,676 | English | (Part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%
TeachingHearts Challenges and Progress
| Countries where over 25% of the world population speaks a language available at teachinghearts. Only English has been edited. |
Population Represented by Teachinghearts
Languages | Countries | %
--- | --- | ---
English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Thai, Arabic, Russian | 168 | 64%
Dutch, Norwegian | 10 | 0.7%
Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic
Ukrainian, Farsi, Polish, Turkish | 5 | 4.2%
Czech, Romanian, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Slovenian, Croatian | 7 | 1.1%
Vietnamese, Malay, Indonesian, Tagalog | 4 | 6.7%
Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gurmukhi, Marathi, Gujarati | 4 | 19%
Punjabi, Urdu | 2 | 1.3%
Swahili | 4 | 0.6%
Total planned | 232 | 92%
| Countries where the population speaks a language that will be available soon at teachinghearts.
| Countries where the population speaks a language that is being planned for teachinghearts.
| 61 countries are not adequately represented by teachinghearts. 20 are in the 10/40 region. 16 are planned. 40 have at least 10% representation. 92% of the population will eventually be represented.
| 10/40 Window or resistant belt. God will make a way. I do not believe that war is the way. In fact it might bring resentment. I believe that the prophetic arguments will make this highly religious group reexamine the claims of Christianity.
| Excess death rate due to AIDS. The Gospel can help by bringing hope and a change in lifestyle to fight this disease.
| Religious persecution, or laws unfriendly to spreading the gospel.

Communications
The challenge of communications is voice and data. Voice communications needs to reach people at a time and place when they are available. Such communication is through radio, television, satellite and the various stored media (tapes, video and CD).

Regional Satellite Coverage | Global Satellite Coverage
--- | ---
Eutelsat-HotBird 3 (Europe) Telstar 12 (Europe) Intelsat 907 (Africa) AsiaSat 2 (Asia) New Skies 703 IS-701 (South Pacific) Galaxy 3C (North America) New Skies 806 (South America) | The footprint of three satellites cover most of the earth. New Skies 806 covers North and South America. New Skies 703 covers Europe, Africa, 80% of Asia and the 10/40 window. AsiaSat covers Asia, Australia and the South Seas.

Languages by Time Zone
Zone | Satellite | Languages | Population
--- | --- | --- | ---
0 | ABCE | English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish + | 284,079,422
1 | ABCE | French, German, Portuguese, Polish, Dutch, Italian, Afrikaans, Swedish, Hungarian, English | 487,962,632
2 | ABCED | Arabic, Albanian, Greek, Turkish, Russian, English | 437,925,148
3 | ABCED | Arabic, English, French, Armenian, Romanian, Hungarian, German + | 467,708,297
4 | ABCED | Uzbek, Russian, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, French, English | 62,123,569
5 | ABCED | Hindi, Punjabi, English, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Russian, Sindhi, Pashtu + | 1,203,339,949
6 | ED | Bengali, Burmese, Dzongkha, Nepali, Sinhala, Tamil, Tajik, Russian, English | 246,620,870
7-8 | ED | Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Khmer, Lao, Thai, Melayu, English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil, French, Dutch | 420,449,617
8 | EDF | Chinese, Filipino, Mongol, English, Portuguese, Malay | 1,403,140,468
9 | DF | Russian, Japanese, Korean, English (0.02%) | 342,578,754
8-11 | EF | English, French, Maori, Marshallese, Palauan, pidgin English, Melanesian pidgin | 26,030,028
12 | F | English, French, + | 5,185,977
13 | ABCE | Portuguese | 408,760
15-21 | GH | United States, Canada and Greenland. English, Spanish, French, Danish | 312,521,133
15 | GH | Spanish, English, French | 42,079,934
16 | GH | English, Spanish, French | 236,508,823
17 | GH | Spanish, English, French, Dutch | 113,846,682
18 | GH | Spanish, English | 141,632,613
20 | H | French, Tahitian | 257,847
22 | H | English, Samoan | 70,822
All | - | Sign language for the deaf and hearing impaired (10%) | 6,233,821
All | - | Braille for the blind (17.6 Million in the United States) | 180,000,000
Internet Statistics (March 2003)
Language | Percent | Million
--- | --- | ---
English | 35.2% | 238.5
Chinese | 11.9% | 80.6
Japanese | 10.3% | 69.7
Spanish | 8.1% | 54.8
Korean | 4.2% | 28.4
Italian | 3.6% | 24.1
French | 3.3% | 22.7
Portuguese | 2.8% | 19.3
Russian | 2.7 | 18.4
Scandinavian | 2% | 13.5
Malay | 1.2% | 8.1
Arabic | 0.8% | 5.5
Thai, Vietnamese | 3.4
Farsi, Hebrew | 6
Hungarian, Czech, Romanian | 8
Slovak, Slovenian, Serbo-Croatian | 2.7
The time zone statistics show the challenges of conveying the gospel by satellite. But the whole world can be taught the principal lessons. Simultaneous instruction every day for 8 to 14 days could teach the world the essentials of the gospel and the prophetic warnings. If done by time zone, the whole world could hear this message in a year. The internet statistics show the opportunities available by language. It could be used to provide written information to support the verbal instruction by satellite and television.

Data communication is through the mail, books, news papers and the internet.
Even if we were able to solve the technical and logistics problems of printing and broadcasting the message in every language, there is still no communication if people cannot listen or do not want to listen.
How can we solve that? This is the work of the Holy Spirit. But we must be ready when the opportunity occurs. And God will not create His opportunity if we are not ready to support these people.
Some of the reasons why the communication is being blocked is because of the barriers that exist.

- People. They are generally lazy about their eternal life and want to be told what to do. They will not take an active role.
- Religion. Suspicion, fear and prejudice that causes persecution.
- Laws. Conversion laws have always existed in very conservative religious countries. But now they are appearing in western cultures who are promoting eastern philosophy or the state religion as they curb the activities of Protestants.
- Politics. Countries block radio transmissions, pass laws, and threaten the people.
- Poverty. This limits the method of access to radio.
- Education. People need to be taught audibly. Again radio and personal Bible studies are the only method to reach these people.
- Our Focus. Our Bible studies tend to be focused on converting other Christians. They are meaningless to the sophisticated western society.
- Modern Culture. The perception that is being spread by the media is that Christianity is boring and bigoted. The only thing that seems to stir these people is fear. They are attracted to religious concepts that allow them to be satisfied with their own behavior. They want god to be created in their image. But God is not interested in attracting people through fear and we cannot have religion of our own design.
- Cost. It is expensive to rent satellite time, television time slots, studios, space and get technical experts.

Religions

Abraham (2147 BC)
Issac (had 12 sons) | Ishmael (had 12 sons)
--- | ---
Jews | Muslims (Mohammed)
Jews | Christians (Jesus Christ) | Shia | Kharijite | Sufi | Sunni
Messianic Jews | Catholic | Orthodox | • Twelvers • Seveners • Fivers | Ibadhi | • Nakshbandi • Mouridism • Alawiya • Tidjani | • Hanafi • Malakite • Shafi'ite • Hanbalite
Protestant | Catholic | Orthodox
• Jews • Kaballah | • Jews for Jesus | Lutheran (1517) Mennonite (1525) » Amish (1693) Anglican (1534) » Methodist (1739) » Congregational (1744) » Brethren (1828) » Salvation Army (1865) Presbyterian (1560) Baptist (1605) » Seventh Day Adventist (1860) » Jehovah's Witness (1870) » Pentecostal (1900) Dutch Reformed (1628) Quakers (1647) » Shakers (1784) Moravians (1727) | • Latin • Eastern | • Greek • Russian • Serbian
Sabbath Churches
Jews
Jews for Jesus
Seventh Day Adventist
Seventh Day Baptist
Worldwide Church of God
Church of God, Seventh Day
There are other Sabbath churches |
Christian Unification Movements
Ecumenical | 1960's | Unite on common interests under Catholicism
Charismatic | 1960's | Authority of the inner leading of the Holy Spirit
Liberal Christianity | 1960's | Ignore the teachings of the Bible.
New Age | 1970's | Add Eastern ideas to Christianity
Liberal | 1970's | All religions and prophets sent by God
All unification movements use a new source or standard of Authority.
One World Religions
Religion | Date | Method | Origin
--- | --- | --- | ---
Baha'i | 1844 | Liberal, Equality | Muslim
Unification Church | 1955 | New Age | Buddhist
Unitarian Universalist | 1959 | New Age, Liberal | Christian
Eastern Religions
Religion | Date | Characteristics | Population | Region
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Hindu | 1500 BC | Polytheistic | 831,000,000 | India
Buddhist | 535 BC | Polytheistic | 369,042,259 | China
Sikhism | 1530 AD | Monotheistic | 23,688,000 | India
Taoism | 440 BC | Polytheistic | 22,000,000 | Taiwan
Jainism | 420 BC | Polytheistic | 4,360,000 | India
< r bgcolor="#cc99ff"> | Shinto | 500 BC | Nature worship | 2 - 40 million | Japan

Spiritualist
Swedenborg | 1747 | Occult
Mormon | 1830 | Spirit beings need human bodies
Spiritualism | 1848 | Kate and Margaret Fox contact the dead
Christian Science | 1879 | Science
Scientology | 1955 | Science and philosophy

Barriers
Religions of the 10/40 Window

The Successors of Muhammad (Mohammed)
# | Prophets or Imams | Shia | Sunni
--- | --- | --- | ---
Twelvers | Baha'i | Seveners | Fivers
- | 1 | Abu Bakr | Rejected | Not the best | Abu Bakr
2 | Umar | Umar
3 | Uthman | Rejected | Uthman
1 | 4 | Ali (Son-in-law of Mohammed by his daughter Fatimah)
2 | Hasan | No other Imams recognized
3 | Husain (Husayn)
4 | Zain-Ul-Abdin
5 | Mohammed Baqir | Zayd
6 | Jafir As Sadiq | Elected other Imams
7 | Musa Kazim | Isma'il
8 | Ali Reza | No other Imams recognized
9 | Mohammed Taqui
10 | Ali Naqi
11 | Hasan Askari
12 | Mohammed al-Muntazar | Baha'u'llah
Hidden Imam (Madhi) | Muntazar | Baha'u'llah | Isma'il | Zayd | None
Population | Iran, Iraq, Lebanon | Iran, USA | India, Pakistan, East Africa | Yemen | Saudi Arabia, Indonesia. Many others

- Islam (Muslim). Believe that Allah is the one indivisible God and Muhammad (Mohammed) is His prophet. The Qur'an and the Torah are the holy word of God. Jesus Christ was a prophet, but He was not God. They believe in righteousness by works. The sources of authority are:
  1. Qur'an. the holy word of God given to Mohammed.
  2. Traditions and customs.
     - Sunnah. The message of God in the traditions of the prophet (Imams). What was ordered, forbidden, done or acknowledged as a prophet.
     - Sura. Biographies of the prophets.
     - Hadiths. The prophet's written record of his traditions, explanations, interpretation and sayings.
     - Ijma'. Consensus. The beliefs of professionals and people who knew the prophets or lived during their time.
       - Consensus of the people living in Medina at the time of the prophets.
       - 'Ulama. The consensus of the doctors of Law.
       - Muwatta. It is a code of law based on the legal practices that were operating in Medina.
     - Ijitihad. Thoughts of scholars.
     - Qiyas. Analogy.
     - Local customs.

  The Caliph (successor) after the death of Muhammad in 632 was contested. The majority (Sunnites) chose Abu Bakr and the minority (Shi'ia meaning splinter group) chose Ali. Only the Sunni believe that these three were legitimate successors. The Shi'ia believe that Ali was the legitimate successor and the imams that followed him.

  1. Abu Bakr. 632 A.D. Father-in-Law of Muhammad
  2. Umar. 634 A.D. was poisoned.
  3. Uthman. 644 A.D. was stabbed to death. He also assembled the Qu'ran since Muhammad wrote nothing down.

  Several branches have split based on different emphasis on the doctrines of faith and works, selection of leaders, predestination and free will, revelation and reason, the unity of God, and the Qur'an. However, religious succession is the basis of most differences between the branches.

  - Sunni. This is the major branch of Islam with about 85%. They believe that the Qur'an is the final authority and there is no further revelation and Mohammed was the final prophet. Their leaders are called Caliphs. This caliphate is an elective position for anyone of the Quaresh tribe. There were three dynasties of Caliphs (Umayyad, Abbasids and Fatimids). The Fatimids are descendants of Mohammed and his first wife Khadija. They also follow the human traditions in the Hadiths and believe that no other traditions are valid.
    Maddhab, Sunni Schools of Thought. They try to determine which is more important, living traditions, hadiths or the Qur'an. Most of the schools which survive today were started in the eighth century. These are the main schools of religious law.
    - Hanafi. Abu Hanifa (767). 30% of Muslims found in Turkey, India, West Africa and lower Egypt.
      The Qur'an, the traditions of the Prophet, ijma' and qiyas are the basis of Islamic law. They accept local customs as a secondary source of the law.
      - Wahhabis. (Saudi Arabia). Also called Muwahhidun, Salafi Da'wa or Ahlul Sunna wal Jama'a. Very conservative Sunnis who follow the Qur'an and minimize the significance of tradition. They were started by Sunni Hanbalism via Ibn Taymiya (1328 A.D.)
      - Barelvi. (Pakistan Punjab province) They believe that the holy Prophet is a superhuman figure whose presence is all around us at all times; They follow many Sufi practices and believe in intercession between humans and Divine Grace. This consists of the intervention of an ascending, linked and unbroken chain of holy people, reaching ultimately to Prophet Mohammad, who intercede on their behalf with Allah.
      - Deobandi. (Pakistan and India) Fundamentalist movement founded in India as a resistance to British colonial rule. They resent western influences and inspired the Taliban movement. They believe that they have a sacred right and obligation to go to any country to wage jihad to protect the Muslims of that country.
    - Malakite. Malik ibn Anas (795). 25% of Muslims found in North and West Africa in Algeria, Iraqi Kurds and the Libyian Bedouins. The traditions of the companions of Mohammed are more important than the prophet. The sources of their doctrine are the Qur'an, hadith, ijma' (concensus of the people of Medina and later that of the 'ulama), and qiyas. His major contribution to Islamic law is his book al-Muwatta (The Beaten Path). It is a code of law based on the legal practices that were operating in Medina.
    - Shafi'ites. Al-Shafi'i (820). 15% of Muslims. Believers are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Egypt, India and Syria. The sources of legal authority are the Qur'an and the Sunnah. The Ijma' of the community and then the Ijitihad exercised through qiyas are of lesser authority.
    - Hanbalites. Ahmad ibn Hanbal. 5% of Muslims found in the Arabian peninsula. They are the most conservative.
      The beliefs are from the Qur'an and the Sunnah. All forms of consensus, opinion or inference are authorative if all companions of the prophet agree. If there is a disagreement, the one that is closest to the Qur'an or the Sunnah will prevail.
  - Shi'a (Shiite, Shia). About 10-15% - Split from the Sunnis based on succession. They believed that Mohammed appointed a successor. They believe that the caliphate is hereditary and that there were other prophets or successors to Mohammed. Believe that the right Imam has both the divine inspiration and authority of Allah to add to the message of the Qur'an. So traditions can still be added. Iran is almost entirely Shi'a. There is a majority in Yemen, Azerbaijan and Iraq is 66% and the militant Hizbollah organization is Shia. There are other communities in Bahrain, the east coast of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.
    They believed that Ali b Abi Talib, not Abu Bakr should have become the leader after the death of Mohammed. Therefore, only Ali and his direct descendants were the imams. And they were the source of religious instruction and guidance. They agree that the last Imam went into hiding and will return to bring in the end of the world. The last one disappeared in 878 in Samarra and they are waiting for his return. Two other Imams are also buried in Samarra. Since then, the Ayatollahs as a group have assumed the role of the Imam. In 640 A.D., on the tenth day of the month of Muharram, at the battle of Karbala, ‘Ali's son Husayn and his soldiers were killed. It was on that day that many Shi'ites believe he suffered for the sins of the world. There are three major groups of Shia who believe in a different number of Imams.
    1. Imami (Ithna Ashariya). The Twelvers believe in twelve successive Imams, beginning with Ali and ending in 874 A.D. with the disappearance of the twelfth Imam who will return as a messianic figure at the end of the world.
    2. Isma'ilite (Ismaili). The Seveners, believe that there were only seven imams - not twelve. They rejected the heir chosen by the sixth imam, Jafar al Sadiq , and chose Jafar's eldest son Ismail. Some believe he did not die in 760 A.D. but remains in seclusion and will return at the end of the world. Some also pray to Fatima the infallible sister of the eighth imam.
    3. Zaydi. The fivers. Found in Yemen (46%). They recognize the younger son Zayd as the fifth Imam, rather than his older brother Al-Baqir. They reject Sufism and the hidden Imam Madhi and are theologically closer to the Sunni tradition. Since Ali hid his succession, they accept the error of accepting the claims of Abu Bakr and Umar as being legitimate but not the best choice. They reject the claim of Uthman since Ali had claimed his rights by force of arms by that time.
    Jaafari Islam. The Jafari school of law is a Shia school founded by Jafar Sadiq, the sixth infallible Imam.
  - Hashshashin or Khojas or Mawlas. They split off from the other Isma'ilis in 1094 A.D. because they did not accept the ninth Fatimid caliph al-Musta'li (1094-1101 A.D.).
  - Kharijites. The disappointed ones. They are a very conservative group who follow Qur'an and minimize the significance of tradition. Like the Shi'te, they believed in Ali as a successor but were disappointed when Ali submitted to arbitration. After this, the Caliphate was open to anyone. They further splintered into several groups (Sufriyya, Azarika, Bayhasiyya, Nadjadat, and Ibadhi), many of which no longer survive.
    - Ibadhi. Oman has the only majority population 75%. Elected religious leaders.
  - Sufi. (Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Arabia, Chechens, Albania ). Merges pagan and Christian practices with Islam. Emphasize the role of the teacher as an intermediary to God, the inner link with God, pilgrimages to saint shrines, and recitations of the Koran in cemeteries. "Praise be to me." is a popular saying. The mystical branch of Islam who seek oneness with God. One can be absorbed by the divine and become God. They focus on experience, smoke hashish and beat themselves with whips so that the pain may bring them closer to God. In addition to the Qur'an, they belive that they should receive instruction from a spiritual guide. They use singing, drums and other musical instruments in their worship.
    There are four branches of Sufism: Nakshbandi (Saudi Arabia), Mouridism (Senegal), Alawiya (Turkey, Yemen) and Tidjani (Chad ) originated in 1727 under Sheik Ahmat Tidjani.
  - Druze (Mowahhid, Mowahhidoon). Exist mainly in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Meet on Thursdays instead of Fridays, monotheistic, believe in monogamous marriages, reincarnation, do not follow the Qur'an, believe that 'Ali was an incarnation of God. Al-Hakim bi'amr Illahi, 996 - 1021 A.D was the sixth Caliph in the Fatimid dynasty. In 1016/1017 A.D. (A.H.408), Hamza bin Ali ibn Ahmad (his vizier and the first of his creatures) publicly declared that al-Hakim was visible God at the mosque in Cairo. The druze worship Al-Hakim or Al-wahda as the final incarnation, one of the seventy manifestations of a visible god. Their scriptures (Rasahl al-Hikma ) were written by al-Muqtana and supercede the Qur'an. They believe that the trinity of al-Hakim, Hamza and al-Muqtana will return and conquer the world.
  - Alawite or Nusayri. (Ghulat Sects who worship an individual). Founded by Muhammad Al-Nusayr Al-Numayri. The Druze claim that the Alaawites split from them to worship 'Ali instead of al-Hakim. They believe in a Trinity of Mohammed, 'Ali, and Saliman al-Farisi. Located in Lebanon and Syria.
    - Ahmadiyyas. Started in 1879 in Punjab when Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to be the Mahdi and the Messiah.
    - Babis. Followed Ali Muhammad who was the "Bab" (Gate). He claimed to be the forerunner for the twelfth imam who returned in 1844 A.D. They are divided into two groups after his execution in 1850.
      1. Azalis.
      2. Baha'is (1863). Bahaullah is the twelfth imam and Christ returned.
- Baha'i. A sect of Alawite Islam which originated in Iran. Started May 23, 1844 by Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad (known as the Bab) whose purpose was to announce the arrival of one greater than himself. This person was declared to be one of his followers Mirza Husayn-'Ali-i-Nuri (1817-1892) who later assumed the title Baha'u'llah They believe in the immortality of the soul and that these people were all prophets of God (Adam, Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, The Bab and Baha'u'llah). They are also on a mission to prove to all religions that the prophecy of their expected messiah was fulfilled in 1844 by Baha'u'llah and it is now time to unite all religions. They are similar to new agers and Unitarian Universalists in that respect - but they maintain a moral code. Because he is the twelfth Imam, they adhere to his teachings because they believe that he corrected what has gone wrong.
- Hindu. Multiple gods. The cow is sacred. There is no specific list of moral codes.
- Sikh. Founded in the sixteenth century by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. They believe in a single formless God and in reincarnation. They do not worship idols, images or icons.
- Buddhist. Siddhartha Gautama founded the religion about 580 B.C. Tripitaka and Sutras are the collection of his sayings. It is based on personal experience rather than a personal God.
- Daoist (Taoist). Founded by Lao-Tse and became the state religion by 440 B.C. There is no God, but there is a force that flows through all life.
- Jainism. A very old religion which was practiced long before 550 B.C. They believe in many levels of heaven and hell and in reincarnation. That there was no beginning or that there will be no end. In many ways they have the moral code of Christianity. There are five principles of living. Truthful, honest, monogamy, non-violence and temperance.
- Jews. Believe in the one indivisible G-d, YHWH. They do not believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah.
  Kaballah. Mystic or new age type of beliefs within Judaism.
- Christians. A sect of Judaism who believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. There are many groups in Christianity. They splintered based on the rejection of the pope as the authority of God on earth and interpretation of the major beliefs of the Bible. The Catholic church later placed an emphasis on tradition as authoritative. Most groups differ in how a doctrine is interpreted and in the last half of the twentieth century differences have come over if the Bible should be obeyed in all areas.
  - Catholic. The universal church that traces its origins to the beginning of Christianity. There are two groups. There is no difference in dogma or the authority of the pope but in their liturgy and who has the right to perform them.
    1. Western or Latin Rite (98% of Catholics). Latin used in liturgy until 1960's.
    2. Eastern Rite Catholics (Uniate, Maronite). Found in Eastern Europe, North Africa and Middle East (Maronite Catholics). They began in the fifth century by a monk named Maron (Maroun) who worked in Lebanon and Syria until 410 AD. They have mass in local languages. They have married priests and orthodox liturgy. They have also been isolated from the changes in Vatican II.

    Comparison of Catholicism and Islam
    Religion • Works. Righteousness by works. • Pilgrimages. Journey to holy places. • Rosary. Both believe in repetitive prayers using a string of beads. • Temporary Hell. Purgatory and Barzakh. Authority • Infallibility. Popes, prophets and Imams. • Human Tradition. Have a set of human traditions that they use in addition to the words of God. • Saints, and Relics. Shiia and Sufi honor relics and saints. • Intercession of the Saints. Humans who intercede for us to God. (Barelvi and Sufi) • Divine Mother. Both worship a divine mother figure, Fatima and Mary. Civil Government • Laws. Sharia and Canon law. Both have a set of laws that are both civil and religious. • Church and State Union. Do not believe in separation of church and state. The state has a duty to enforce religious law. • The sword. Rule unbelievers by force.
    It is easy to see why the pope believes that Islam will embrace Catholicism when he takes over the world.

  - Orthodox. The church in the eastern part of the Roman empire that broke away from the universal church in 1054.
  - Anglican. It is considered to be a Protestant church, but they broke up mainly over King Henry VIII and his need to have a divorce. Therefore, their liturgy may be closer to Catholicism than other Protestant churches.
  - Protestant. Many churches that broke away from the universal church because of corruption in the church and disagreement over some doctrines. The major change in belief was righteousness by Faith. Therefore, they do not believe that doing any list of good works will get one to heaven. Righteousness is a gift from God that cannot be obtained by working for it. The availability of the word of God in the common language allowed many to study and understand the requirements of God.
    The variations in Protestantism is based on the role and gifts of the Holy Spirit, the ten commandments and baptism.

Religious Laws
Most Islamic countries have laws preventing the spreading of the gospel. India has recently started a campaign of nationalism in which the Hindu religion is protected and missionary activity is increasingly forbidden.
In Western countries, mostly those with a Catholic or Orthodox majority, various anti-cult laws and laws against freedom of speech have been enacted. There are targeted at curbing the growth of Protestant missions, but are promoted as laws that promote social order and religious tolerance.
For example, In Canada two people were punished for posting the biblical condemnation of homosexuality. It is also illegal to "incite religious hatred".
These broad definitions prevents most Protestants from preaching about the moral code of the Bible and the warnings listed in prophecy. Any of these issues will offend some group and can be classified as teaching hatred. All these teachings are commanded by Christ and the community will soon find itself at odds with democratic societies. It virtually assures that religions such as Unitarian Universalists that are based on personal preferences will survive.
Even though these laws might lead to that scenario, prophecy predicts something else. The laws will make it harder for the church of God to give the prophetic warnings, but it is Catholicism and religious intolerance that will survive.

Modern Western Culture
The rich modern western culture pursues the wealth of the world instead of a knowledge of God. Their gods are science and technology.

Messianic Expectations
Jews | Messiah
Christians | Jesus Christ, the Messiah
Catholics | Mary
Muslim | Jesus (Isa)
Imami Shiite | Mohammed ibn al-Hanifiyah (the Madhi), the twelfth imam
Ismaili Shiite | Ismail, the seventh imam
Zaydii Shiite | Zayd, the fifth imam
Druze | al-Hakim, Hamza and al-Muqtana
New Age | Maitreya
Buddhist | Maitreya, the fifth incarnation of Buddha
Hindu | Krishna, Kalki the tenth incarnation of Vishnu
Zoroastrians | The ninth Avatar, Shah-Bahram
Toltec | Quetzalcoatl
UFO watchers | Aliens
Adventists | Satan (False Christ)
Adventists | Christ
Baha'i | Bahaullah is the promised one of all religions who returned in 1844
Unification church | Reverend Sun Myung Moon
Others | William Branham, David Koresh, Sergei Torop, Jim Jones
Many faiths believe in the return of a messianic figure who will save the world and establish their religion. Both the forces of Good and evil are preparing the world for a supernatural appearance. Atheists and others might interpret such an event as the arrival of a super human race of aliens.

Religion, if any, is based on rejection of any moral divine code and acceptance of personal experience and sense of duty to pursuit of human concerns. This self-made religion tends to embrace eastern religions. Hollywood tends to accept Buddhism and scientology. Scientology sponsors many programs: Citizen's Commission on Human Rights, World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, Applied Scholastics International, The Way to Happiness Foundation, Criminon International, Narcanon International, and Association for Better Living (ABLE).

The Signs Of The End
Why do I have this urgency? This impending sense of something ... world changing ... ordered by God ... coming soon?
It is because of the converging signs that seem to be on an ever increasing spiral. The rate of occurrence of significant events have changed from hundreds of years, to decades to years until now when we seem to be in a six month loop. And this is from observation of public events. Many of the remaining support structures and alliances must be done in secret.
Many religions believe in the coming of a Promised one. Some believe that he already came. But, Christianity involves a series of signs that are converging at a much faster rate. Jesus describes the period before the second coming like a woman in child birth. The birth pains increase with greater frequency until the child is delivered.
This is now occurring with the rapid convergence of more signs which will culminate in the domination of the world by the last two powers. We have progressed from a period of decades passing before a significant event occurs to the present time when something significant occurs every six to twelve months.
The kingdom of God is about to be born, and like a normal pregnancy the baby will start doubling in size and the pain will increase in intensity until the birth.

- General Status Of The World
  - Natural disasters increase in frequency (since 1900's)
  - Immorality - 1960s
  - Like Sodom and Gomorrah - 1980's
  - Occult and spiritualist teachings - 1980's
- The Church
  - The time of the end begins (1798)
  - Judgment begins (1844)
  - Ecumenical movement based on ignoring the Bible (1960's).
  - Spiritualism embraced by the church (1980's)
  - Radio can reach 99% of the world (since 1990's)
  - Internet can distribute printed material globally (1990's)
  - Global Media infrastructure of the church established (since 1990's)
  - Democratic governments are beginning to pass laws to stop religious conversion efforts (2001)
  - The people go to the world and a massive revival occurs (future)
- The Catholic Church will become a global religious power that will enforce religion.
  - 1260 years of persecution (538-1798)
  - Fall of the Papacy. It receives a deadly wound (1798)
  - Healing of the Papacy (1929 Lateran Treaty)
  - Regains global power and admiration (1980's - present)
  - Asks for governments to guarantee the Sunday Sabbath (1998)
  - False occult signs and wonders. Marian apparitions increase in frequency (1990s - present)
  - Enforces a false Sabbath (future)
- The United States will become the only super power, it will work as the military arm of the Catholic church.
  - The Lamb that rescues persecuted Christians (1600's)
  - Cooperates with the Catholic church to destroy a political rival and end communism (1982).
  - Becomes the only super power (1991)
  - Makes laws to financially support religion (January 2001)
  - Makes persecution law with the support of the people (October 2001)
  - Physically becomes Babylon (1991, March 2003)
  - The dragon that controls the world (2003)
  - The dragon that enforces religion (future)

  France and the King of the South
  When Revelation 11 was being fulfilled and France was spreading it's secular gospel it became the spiritual Egypt and the King of the South. But God did much more that this - He placed France in control of Egypt. At that time, God allowed France to physically defeat Egypt. Because Egypt came under French control on July 21, 1798 until they surrendered to the British on September 2, 1801, France assumed the title of the King of the South. Incredibly, this was the same year that they caused the defeat of the papacy (King of the North) We have overlooked the implication of this event for end time Babylon and the King of the North. God allows these beacons in time to urge the most resistant to see the fulfillment of prophecy. These are hard facts. Besides the United States defeat and control of Iraq, are there any more future events that God might allow a physical event to point the world to an approaching fulfillment of prophecy? I believe so.
  The Battle of Armageddon is an attack on the people of God (global Israel) by the rest of the world as it enforces religion. Could it be, that as Romans 11 is being fulfilled and the Sabbath Keeping nation of Israel come under attack like other Sabbath keeping groups that we will see Israel being physically forced to comply with a false religion? At that time, will we see the "Abomination of Desolation" standing in the Holy Place as he "pitches the tents his royal pavilion between the sea and the beautiful Holy Mountain" (Daniel 11: 45)? Will the church be given control of Jerusalem under United nations resolution 181 when they make Jerusalem an international city?

- Future. All these events can occur in a year. We are no longer on a cycle of waiting for years for an event to be fulfilled. The pains of child birth are increasing in frequency. The toe nails on the feet of the statue in Daniel 2 are now on the way to the hospital for delivery.
  - The gospel is preached. This is the last sign.
  - The world gives power to the Catholic church and the United States because of fear of an event that appears to require religious intervention.
    1. A Doomsday Asteroid. Threatens the planet. We have no real global solutions except to grasp at supernatural straws.
    2. Terrorism. Constant Arab terrorism on United States soil, by its nature, is a religious war. The influence of the Catholic church in that region and the world will make them natural allies for the United States.
    3. Natural Disaster. Constant natural disasters centered in major cities, will invoke thought of punishment from God. This will require a religious solution.
    4. Other Events. Wars, famine, financial crisis and even plagues do not appear to make our collective minds seek God for long. But the misery they bring could exacerbate any one of the previous situations.
    While the last three may be regional events, they might only affect the rest of the world if the United States suffers. But the first event is global. Every one must be involved.
  - The last religious persecution as false doctrines are enforced.
  - The mark of the beast enforced. Economic persecution of God's church.
  - The fall of Babylon (United States and Catholic Church).
  - Global economic collapse. Economic punishment of the world.
  - The seven last plagues. Final punishment of the world.
  - The Second Coming.

Babylon Returns - The United States in Prophecy
One observation that I have made about the war in Iraq is this - I thought that the 1991 defeat of Iraq was symbolic of the old Babylon being defeated by the new Babylon. It was a symbolic transition of power. A beacon in time for those who expect the United States to become Babylon.
However, the implication of this latest action means that the United States must be deeply involved in the affairs of Iraq for several years - if only to rebuild the country. This means that the prophecy goes beyond the symbolism of the United States acting like Babylon. We might technically be governing Iraq.
We are in control of Babylon.
We have physically become Babylon.
So, for those of us who interpret prophecy in this way, we have more ammunition.
God actually placed this country in the physical location of the old Babylon with power, just in time for the predictions of Revelation 13 - 18 to be fulfilled.
We should look carefully at the prophecy of the king of the north in the last part of Daniel 11. Because this invading force will be successful for a time. It will affect every one except the son of Ammon (Jordan). But it will come to its end and no one will help it.

Bold Predictions
Let me be bold in saying the following:

- There will be no new world order based on the principles of liberal theology or eastern mysticism.
- There will be no political union of the old Roman empire into one political government.
- The world will not be destroyed by nuclear war.
- Islam will not take over Christianity. Christianity will take over the world.
- Watch for the role of the Catholic church becoming more significant or more open in the middle east.
- The United States will become a persecuting power - enforcing Catholicism.
  We already have the persecution laws. We already have the persecuting organization. The people are easily lead by fear, opinion polls, national pride, an irresponsible media and propaganda. We have the technological capabilities and the power. We are just waiting for the event that will propel the people to accept this internal witch hunt.
- God will do something to spread the message in a loving way. He will be His own witness. When this happens, it will not be through force or fear, but possibly through the knowledge that we have no answers and we cannot continue as we have been. In the age of stupid reality television - for a brief moment - wisdom will grip the world.
  Although Russia has been "freed" of communism and "open" to evangelism, it is China that is experiencing the fastest Christian growth of over 10,000 new converts each day. While Russia is gripped by organized crime and capitalism and is open to the gospel, it is the faithful Christians in China - under persecution - who are doing God's work.

Convergence
The following systems are converging toward the climax of an attempted one world religion at the end.

- Communications System. The news and entertainment businesses are ready to assume the role as the primary means of propaganda for the beast. Through the use of a few powerful owners, and the lure of power, access or fear of exclusion, they can control what is seen or printed. With the connections to Hollywood they can influence the issues and dialogue of fictional characters and network scheduling to present their messages and manage public perception.
- Government and Political. The United States is the world power and Europe is creating a formal organization that makes it possible for them to be controlled. Already the church is trying to get the European Union laws to acknowledge the "Christian heritage" of the region. Although this might seem trivial and ceremonial, such ideas are now being used to stifle religious minorities in the former territories of the Soviet Union.
  Here is how it progressed in the Soviet Union.
  - Recognize Religion Legally. After the breakup, the church convinced the government to recognize established religion. It even urged the return of confiscated church properties to their churches only.
  - Special Status to Some Religions. Now, although the law says that all religions are equal, it grants some organizations special status (Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish and Islam). Protestants are conspicuously absent.
  - Register Others. Under this system, other churches not having special status must register only if they have a certain quota of members or meet other rules. This effectively ends house churches and small group Bible study and stops any new group from starting up. In some places where Protestant churches went in the countries at the beginning they have some form of protection because no one else is allowed to register. However, under this cloud of registration and unequal status it is hard to form new groups and expand.
- Legal Systems. Several new and existing laws that are critical to the last days are now in effect.
  - Persecution laws. Following the events of September 11, many countries installed draconian laws aimed at curbing the activities of suspicious groups. Unfortunately, religious groups are the central focus. As part of this effort, democratic governments such as Canada have started to label religious speech as "hate speech" that is subject to criminal prosecution. Furthermore, many new Eastern European democratic countries have resorted to separating religious groups into a "favored" and "less favored status". The designation restricts evangelistic efforts and creates a legal basis for the approaching persecution.
    - European Union. Many countries followed the lead of the United States and enacted their own terrorist laws after September 11. Countries such as France and Germany took this as an opportunity to go after "cults".
    - United States. In 1996, many of the provisions in the USA Patriot Act of 2001 were silently passed without any public awareness. These laws which are now seen as essential to fight "terrorists" can be turned against any group who appear to be against the public interest. These people can be held without trial, access to an attorney, subject to torture, secret trials and death under a military tribunal. All these actions can be carried out without giving any information to congress or the public.
  - Government supports churches. As the end approaches, churches who take money from governments will find that they suddenly have no control over curriculum or staff. Governments can withdraw critical funding if churches do not change their teachings on critical issues such as evolution, sexuality and tolerance.
    - European Union. Government support of church schools is already a fact. Churches who should not participate do so because of the economic effects.
    - United States. Faith based initiative and School Voucher bill are a back door attempt to support approved churches.
  - Sunday Laws. In all countries, Sunday Laws are used as labor laws, not religious laws. Unfortunately, the growing trend is not to guarantee one day off. It is to legally guarantee only Sunday off.
    - European Union. They have had Sunday Laws since 1993. The ten year transition period expires in August 2003. As a result of these "labor" laws, Sunday is the only day that is allowed as a day off. The day is defined as midnight to midnight. Courts as increasingly unsympathetic to those who require Friday sunset to Saturday sunset as the day off. Employers are required to give only Sunday off. Employees are subject to the mercy of businesses.
    - United States. We have Sunday laws which are generally not enforced. Watch for increasing campaigns to bring "America back to God".
  - Sabbath Laws. There are currently no laws directly aimed at breaking the Sabbath. However, the new European Sunday laws can essentially be used as an economic weapon by limiting our options. Businesses owned by Sabbath keepers are forced to close two days per week. Employees who work on a shift basis are in danger of losing their jobs because they will eventually have a Friday night to Saturday scheduling problem. Since the Sabbath can start and end any time between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the second shift becomes a consistent problem. People who rely on other workers to trade shifts with them will find that this solution will become a problem. They are subject to the good nature of the other employee, the rules of management and a society that may want to exert pressure to "turn back to God". Since only Sunday is legally guaranteed, this is the problem.
    - Sunday only. An employer can legally terminate employment if you do not come to work on Saturday.
    - Midnight to Midnight. An employer can legally terminate employment if you do not come to work on Friday Evenings.
- Religious. The church is forming alliances to control the world.
  - Arab-Vatican pact of 2000
  - 128 Concordats from 1958-1999. They are designed to protect the church in each country. Where they can, they also attempt to use the government to stop Protestant activity.
  - Special status at the United Nations that is not given to any other religion.
  - Alliance with the United States for political, espionage and other benefit.
- Social. This is the liberal red herring that is used to gather the conservative effort. The world can be described as being in both the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Gospel Will Be Preached
It is obvious that we cannot do this alone. The population is growing faster than the church and secularism is clouding the minds of many. We have reached the point where we have established a good communications network.
If God's people will humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, turn from their pursuit of a dying world - then He will hear and He will come and He will finish the work in one glorious outpouring of power.

- Spiritual Gifts . God will finish the work through spiritual gifts and possibly through angels disguised as humans. Spiritual gifts such as tongues, miracles and healing allow the entire world to embrace the message from a supernatural point of view.
  When He uses these methods to give His workers divine credentials, technology and the communications foundations that the church has laid will be very useful.
- Internet . The internet can be a substitute for door-to-door evangelism. It brings the written word to the world. It has the advantage of being non-invasive and being available continuously. The disadvantage is the availability in poor countries and the equipment an individual must have. But if poor countries establish an internet presence in their churches, schools and libraries, we have a potential distribution point.
- Satellite . This technology can bring the spoken word to many regions of the world. The one draw back is that they compete with all the modern media productions and these gatherings are limited by personal interest and the ability to advertise or gather people to those meetings.
- Radio . Radio suffers the same problems as satellite. They are competing with more modern productions and a modern society. Radio is still useful in poor countries and is the only means of reaching some people.
- Television . Has the same problems of attracting an audience.

Some media can reach the poor and the illiterate. Others are for those who have access to technology. However, establishing a presence in all these areas is necessary. Because, there will be a time when the whole world will be searching for religious information and we must be ready and available.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28: 19 | Time: 80 minutes Print: 18 pages 27 pages (Landscape)
Copyright This Page created: April 4, 2003. Updated : April 22, 2003 Credits: Author: Laverna Patterson Language Families - Krysstal Home Page at URL: http://www.krysstal.com/language.html#langfams Global Demographics and Statistics are from the CIA World Fact Book March 2003 Internet Statistics are from Global Reach. URL: Global Reach (global-reach.biz/globstats) Adventist Mission Plans Source: Adventist News Network People groups from the Joshua Project II. URL: http://www.joshuaproject.net/index.html Statistics on Christian missions : URL: http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert.fs/data.htm Scripts and writing systems. URL: www.omniglot.com Islam from A-Z. URL: http://www.modernmuslima.com/fiqh.htm Origins of the Sunni/Shia split. URL: http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm Islam. URL: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/intro/islam.htm