Franklin Graham on Pakistan terror attacks: Every knee will bow to Jesus, not to Islam

Rev. Franklin Graham has spoken out against the Islamic terrorists responsible for the Lahore attacks which left 72 people dead on Easter Sunday.

The Taliban offshoot Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has taken responsibility of the Lahore attacks, saying they intentionally carried out the suicide bombing to target Christians celebrating Easter Sunday. In a Facebook message, Rev. Franklin Graham told the terrorists that "every knee" will bow to Jesus and not to Islam.

"Muslims want Shariah law. They want the whole world to bow to Islam — that won't happen," said Graham in his Facebook post. "The Word of God tells us that one day 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father' (Philippians 2:10-11). I serve a risen Savior."

Graham also said those who die trusting in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are welcomed into God's presence and will live there forever. The grave will not be able to withhold Christians who believe in Jesus, he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan initially arrested more than 5,000 suspected terrorists in the wake of the deadly Lahore attacks. After interrogation most were released, but more than 200 have remained in custody, according to the Independent.

Provincial minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed that 216 have been detained pending further investigations. The government is set to authorize the paramilitary force called the Rangers to conduct raids and interrogate suspected terrorists in the Punjab state, the report details.

Open Doors USA and other persecution watchdog organizations said the Lahore attack is only one example of the increasing persecution of Christians around the globe. Open Doors USA president and CEO David Curry released a statement conveying their disappointment in the Western world's tendency to respond only when attacks are carried out in the West.

Curry said the West should also be concerned over the killings in Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world because every person's life is precious. Along this line, he challenged the U.S. and other Western nations to stand up and display strong leadership to counter religious persecution.