“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” .. Matthew 24:9
Increasing Persecution .. Let me start with a quick example .. Yesterday during the daily Coronavirus update from the White House, President Trump invited the CEO of My Pillow to speak.. After a brief comment concerning his business’s efforts in the virus fight, he closed with an uplifting proclamation of trusting in Jesus during these difficult times .. Within just a few moments, the firestorm descended! .. The left-leaning public, the vast majority of the press, and of course Hollywood went on tirades just because of the mention of Jesus Christ’s name! ..
Surprising? .. Not really if we are watching today’s spiritual & moral collapse of world society .. and especially accelerating in this once land-of-the-free so-called Christian nation! .. And it’s across the board as to the rejection of the Bible & its teachings .. public schools where Satan & atheist clubs are allowed, but not Christian .. public & political meetings where in recent days, Muslims & spiritualists have led public invocations, but again, not Christians .. & if we believers disagree with anything the modern, rapidly left-leaning society supports such as abortion & gay marriage, we are considered haters & destroyers of the modern world! .. Ironically, they preach diversity, free speech, & equality .. that is .. unless you disagree with them .. It all can be nothing other than the last days increasing delusion prophesied by most all prophets, including our Lord Jesus Himself. ..
A brief history .. We have seen persecution against the Church from the beginning some 2000 years ago .. There was a martyr period from the Crucifixion up to AD 314, where literally thousands & thousands of courageous men, women, & children stood up for their faith with their blood .. Every one of the New Testament writers was horribly persecuted:
*Matthew was beheaded ..
*Mark was dragged thru the streets of Alexandria by a team of wild horses until dead
*Luke was hanged in an olive tree ..
*John was banished to the remote Island of Patmos to spend his old age in isolation
& hardship .. When released after writing The Book of Revelation, he died in
Ephesus ..
*Paul was beheaded ..
*James was battered to death with a club ..
Even secular historians agree there were 10 great persecutions intended to wipe out Christianity, beginning with the wicked Caesar Nero & ending with the Roman Emperor Diocletian .. During this time, believers were fed alive to wild animals, killed in Roman arenas of, & for sport, were torn apart, were tortured, were burned alive at the stake, were crucified, etc. .. In fact, Diocletian felt he had been so successful in eradicating Christianity from the face of the earth that he had a coin struck that read, “The Christian Religion & the Worship of the Roman Gods Are Restored” .. Needless to say, he was proven wrong .. Instead of being destroyed by persecution, the Church actually grew stronger! (Just the opposite of ‘fat & lazy’ of which we see all around us today) ..
Now let’s move to today’s world .. Do we see persecution in the world today? .. Simply, as previously mentioned, Christian & Jewish persecution is on a rampant increase all across the planet .. the Middle East, Africa, & pretty much anywhere where Muslims are in control .. But again, let’s glance at America .. Besides the aforementioned public schools & meetings, here’s a few more ..
*Branches of the Military squashing any & all mention of ‘traditional lifestyles’ .. Why? .. Because militant homosexuality has entered the ranks .. In fact, chaplains can’t even mention the name Jesus anymore!
*Private Businesses such as wedding chapels, bakeries, florists, you name it, & again because of sexual deviants ..
- State & local adoption agencies can no longer deny a ‘gay’ couple requests for children …… the list goes on & on ……
As we are witnessing here in ‘the land of the free,’ as well as the rest of the world, persecution is now the ‘in’ thing, & we, as true believers, need to remember that we, too, will be persecuted .. The Bible says, “.. yes, and all who desire to live godly in Jesus Christ will suffer persecution.” .. 2 Timothy 3:12 .. Also, John 15:18-19 says, “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.” .. To be very clear, in today’s world, & more & more here in America, we who ‘live our lives’ for Jesus, the more we stand strong for our Lord & Savior, the more people will reject & turn away from us .. & if we were to say that ‘Jesus is the ONLY way,’ we will be branded close-minded & hateful to anyone who disagrees! .. How dare we! ..
The world is wallowing in utter despair right now .. & why? .. the Bible says that every society that turns its back on God will be destroyed .. Just look at Sodom & Gomorrah & The Roman Empire .. Even Israel was dispersed throughout the world because of their rejection of God .. Again, look at today’s world .. abortion, rampant sexual diversion/homosexuality, domestic violence, workplace, school & public shootings, child molestation, blasphemy, pornography, drugs & alcohol, gambling, etc., etc., etc.,
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” .. Isaiah 5:20
Brothers & sisters, these are the prophesied days spoken clearly of in Bible scripture .. No one knows the exact time except our God Himself, but He tells us that we WILL know the season .. Jesus said, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree (Israel): As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33) Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34) I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” .. The fig tree mentioned stands for the Nation of Israel which ‘came back to life’ as a nation in 1948. .. That is the start of the prophetic time clock for the remaining time left .. It IS the season! .. Just take a look! ..
Just remember, when you get discouraged & beaten down, the Lord Himself prophesied that it would be this way, & the worse it gets, it just means the closer our Lord is to His triumphant return. .. HE IS COMING FOR US! .. HALLELUJAH !!
Finally, remember that if you are still ‘thinking’ about your salvation .. if you are not sure .. if this crazy world has put doubt in your mind .. you still have time to turn your heart to Jesus .. If you do, I will guarantee you a whole new outlook on everything, not only here but for eternity … Just knock & He will joyfully come to you … Love you all & am praying for you ..
Until next time,
Red