October 21, 2014

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  19) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.  20) Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'
If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. " (John 15:18-20) ...

Is persecution of Christians on the rise, or what! .. I want to point to just two examples of this in todays' commentary. .. First, let's look to the pure evil being demonstrated by this so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Turkey that is taking place as we speak. ... Just a couple of days ago, we posted an 'Urgent Prayer Request' from missionaries that are on the front lines over there right now. ... If you read the request, what is taking place is beyond what most of us 'comfortable' American Christians can even fathom! ... They are actually showing up at our Arab brothers and sister homes, taking their kids  and then demanding that they denounce Jesus Christ as their Savior, and if they refuse, they then take them into the streets and behead them right before their parent's eyes! ... and here is an amazing fact  ... according to the request, NOT ONE child has denounced Jesus as their Savior! ....

OK .. For a moment, just imagine that you live in a place where your enemy is roaming the streets .. and as you hide, you and your family are filled with the fear that one of them will knock, or kick in your door. .......
and then, imagine that they do come and take your children and actually behead them right before your very eyes! .....

When I first read this urgent request, I thought about this for a minute .. my children when they were young .. and now my grandchildren .. and I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around this kind of utter demonic thing! ... I still can't! ... But guess what! ... Our brothers and sisters in Christ in those lands are actually experiencing this right now! ... We must pray ....................

So far, we live in a land where we don't have to face this kind of madness ... so far ... and sadly, most of us don't even think much about it .... simply, it's 'out-of-sight .. out-of-mind' ... The real truth is, we have become what Revelation 3:14-22 describes has the true condition of the last-days Church .. the one that has become fat and lazy, complacent, rich and in need of nothing ... or so it thinks!

Well, this should be a wake-up call for every one of us who actually do our best to follow the true teachings of the Bible. ... This brings home the reality that Christian persecution is coming, is now here, and will only increase as we move ever closer the end of the 'Church Age.' ....

So now we have seen a first-hand report of the atrocities taking place in those 'other places' ... so what about here in America? (the second example) ....... Of course, it has not fallen to near the levels we just talked about, but we are seeing increasingly ominous signs that the 'true' Christian positions are coming under increasing attacks.... Just this week, we see another wedding chapel, owned by an elderly Christian couple in Idaho, being sued because of their refusal to perform a 'gay' wedding. .. We know for a fact that other Christian businesses have lost such cases, many times forcing them out of business. ...

But the one I want to talk about most this week is what just took place in Houston, Texas. ... There we saw a 'militant' lesbian mayor call out 'certain' Christian pastors, actually subpoenaing them for copies of their sermons and other related Church materials. ... As more details emerged, the pastors being subpoenaed were only the 'conservative' ones who preach against the acceptance of sinful lifestyles, including homosexuality.  ....... Fortunately, the outcry from the public has forced this mayor to back down, for now. ... Currently she is 'spinning it' a different way, but has not lost her fervor for her position, as some pundits are reporting. ... We'll watch this one closely ...

The real danger here in America is that we have, for the most part, pushed God completely out of our society .. in almost every walk of life ... and tragically, many of our Church leaders are 'selling out' the true doctrine' and giving in to these devious unscriptural ways! ... Why? .. Because it's not popular! .. Judgement preaching is not popular! ... It doesn't fill the seats or the collection plates! ...

The bottom line is this .... For those of us who try our best to live up to the 'literal' teachings of the Bible, our persecution will only increase as we draw ever closer ... If we look back to the first-century Church, we saw how persecuted they were (see Acts, chapter 8) .. and why? .. Because their way wasn't the way of the world. .. Even Christ Himself, as well as the apostles, were persecuted .. and every one of them, excluding John, were martyred because they taught judgement and the consequences of a sinful lifestyle! ... Should we be, or do any less?! ... The only true light that any person will ever experience will come only from his or her accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and thus claim their promise of a glorious eternity with Him! ... Hallelujah!

2nd Timothy 3:12 says this ... "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Those of us who know the biblical teachings of these last days are fully aware that this increasing persecution would be one of the prevailing societal conditions .. And knowing this then, now we must be strong and powerful witnesses to those who are searching .. those who are unsure .. those who truly want to change their eternal fate. ...  If we sometimes feel weak and unsure, let's try and remember the courage these children in Iraq and Syria demonstrated, knowing that their fate was certain death. ... I pray I will have even a glimmer of what these true heros of the Kingdom have shown!

Finally, I am asking that you pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters all over the world. ... They need our covering desperately, and right now! ... Also, please tell as many as you can about the plight of these people ... spread the word and get the 'prayer warriors' going .... With prayer and trusting, we will ultimately prevail! ..... Hallelujah .........

Until next time,

Red