A warrant has been issued for the arrest of former journalist James Waugh, who threatened to kill church members online, after the 29-year-old allegedly fled the ACT to Queensland.

Key points: James Waugh threatened to behead Christians using a curved sword

James Waugh threatened to behead Christians using a curved sword He was due to appear today to vary his bail conditions, but the court heard he had fled to Queensland

He was due to appear today to vary his bail conditions, but the court heard he had fled to Queensland A warrant has been issued for Mr Waugh's arrest, and his bail has been cancelled

Mr Waugh used to be a journalist for the Queanbeyan Age.

He was arrested last year after a call to the National Security Hotline about comments he made on a Facebook group chat site, threatening to behead people in his front yard with a scimitar [Middle-Eastern curved sword].

Court documents set out the statements made to the victims:

"Do not approach me in the street if you see me because I will attack you," Mr Waugh is alleged to have written.

"The only good Trinitarian is a dead one.

"I have issued threats, along with my name and address, to every coward dog church in Canberra."

The documents reveal Mr Waugh had struck up a relationship with members of the Crossroads Christian Church, even recruiting flatmates from the Canberra Christian Facebook page.

But he clashed with members of the group over several months, making multiple threats.

James Waugh made posts online threatening to kill Christians using a scimitar he had bought from Pakistan. ( Supplied )

In one exchange he allegedly wrote, "I'm going to kill every single one of you polytheist c***s as a reprisal for Christchurch."

"I've bought a scimitar and intend to cut their heads off in my front yard as a reprisal."

Earlier this year Mr Waugh pleaded guilty to a charge of threat to kill.

At the time, lawyers told the court Mr Waugh had bought the scimitar from Pakistan.

Mr Waugh was supposed to appear today in court for a bail variation, but when he did not show up, the prosecution applied to have his bail revoked.

The court heard he had fled to Queensland.

The post, allegedly made by Mr Waugh, on the Canberra House of Prayer Facebook page. ( Facebook )

Magistrate Bernadette Boss said that in the current situation, due to border closures, he would find it difficult to return to be sentenced in May.

She noted if he had the funds to travel to Queensland he surely could have afforded some modest accommodation in Canberra.

The court cancelled his bail, and issued a warrant for his arrest.