Over the last few years we have been receiving news of persecution against Christians from the 20/40 window. Places like Russia, China, the eastern countries, etc. That was far away, and in a certain sense, persecution has not really affected us until a year or so again. We have been sheltered and I also believe, lulled into a mindset by the evil one that we have nothing to worry about.
We need to wake up. The world has changed dramatically in the last year or so. We are seeing a resistance to God’s Word in the West. Persecution has started in a very devious way and is now with us. The persecution of the 20/40 window has changed in the West. It is in fact frightening to see how fast it is developing. Persecution is now a world-wide phenomenon.
The method has changed. From being murdered and threatening murder to being chastised, court cases, losing jobs, shunned out of the social media, publicly humiliated for what we believe in, cancel culture; children are rebelling against parents and following the ungodly practices of “white witchcraft”, transgenderism, and parents being jailed if they do not call their children on their transgender name, gay lifestyle being promoted, gender transition (now proposed in USA as early as 3 years old), chanting pagan rites in schools, drag queens and many more. Absolute truth has now become unacceptable. Truth is now what you believe truth is.
The fight is on. We have to be reminded that:
John 15:19-21 - 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 what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
Children are being confused with all these changes in society. And the “left” wants to destroy family structures, force compliance with their views. Do we just sit idly by while children’s lives are being destroyed? Do we remain silent while a father sits in jail for fighting for the wellbeing of his daughter?
God was not caught unawares; he predicted the coming of the things we see today. The sad part is that even Christians have been deceived by the evil one over many years. In the 1950, the evil one’s disciples stated that they will get our children through music and films (TV, social media, etc.), Hollywood and the music producers have been their agents’ for a very long time. Sexualizing relationship, glorifying stars, glorifying inappropriate lifestyles, etc. and what is worse is that the church has condoned some of these trends. Trying to be politically correct instead of proclaiming the true Gospel.
Romans 1:24-25 - 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Churches have become complacent over the last few years. They have spent more time to build big churches and generate wealth for pastors, instead of doing the great commission.
Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 1:8 - 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We are going to be in a struggle not just for our own existence, but it will become more difficult to proclaim the Gospel as the truth of the Gospel is now regarded as hate speech. The key for people to come to Christ is acceptance that we are sinners, repentance of our deeds and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior. The world is expecting us to stand by without warning them that they will go to hell whilst Christ stands by, waiting to give them the gift of eternal life. This is not something new. It existed when the disciples was proclaiming the Gospel.
Peter 2:10-12 - 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh[a] and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from[b] the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
In Revelations God gives us a very dark picture of the end days.
Revelation 13:5-7 - 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.
It is easy to write this on paper, but what does it require from us when it hits us full force. There are some harsh words from Jesus.
Matthew 10:32-33 - 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
We have only one option. We have to stand up for the Truth. If we do not, we will not see the Kingdom of God. Quite simple, but yet a terrifying prospect if, we deny Christ. It will be the race of our lives saving our salvation. It is going to take guts, perseverance and persecution to stand up for Jesus and fulfil our command to proclaim the Gospel. It is either that or facing eternal death.
What is the worst they can do? Physically kill us? That in fact is a blessing all the way to heaven!
Mark 8:35 - For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
Do we have any chance of succeeding?
If we believe in Jesus and that the Bible is the true Word of God, we surely will be victorious and reap the benefits of his promises:
1. We will inherit eternal life
Matthew 19:29 - And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
2. Jesus is our advocate before the Father
1 John 2:1 - My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous.
3. He will be with us during our walk against evil through the Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-17 - 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.
4. He has given us the Amour of God to protect us.
Ephesians 6:10-11 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
5. Like Stephen, we have nothing to fear.
Acts 7:54-60 - 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
6. God is still in control:
It may look as if the world is going to pieces. But we have to remember that God said that these things must happen before He returns.
Philippians 2:8-10 - 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Acts 2:32-34 - 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand.
John 13:3 - Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
Matthew 28:18-19 - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 1:18-22 - 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.
One of the benefits we have is communion with brothers and sisters in Christ. Besides God being with us, our Christian brothers and sisters are there to encourage each other to complete the race.
Hebrews 12:1-3 - 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The key question is: What should our approach be as Christians?
1. Be obedient to God’s calling:
Acts 5:28-29 - 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
Where the law is against the preaching of the Gospel, we must be more obedient to God than people. I am not saying that one must as a general rule be disobedient to authority as God demands obedience.
2. Be bold in your witness:
Acts 4:31 - After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
The disciples were not intimidated. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to be bold in our witness.
3. Requires faith
Hebrews 11:1-3 - 11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Hebrews 11:6 - 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
4. Speak the Truth:
Speaking the truth is an act of love and is obedience to the Holy Spirit. Without recognising the truth, you will not be able to come to Christ.
John 14:17 - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Romans 1:25 - They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
1 Corinthians 13:6 - Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
5. Do the right thing:
One of the greatest challenges is to do what is right when one receives pressure from people around you. It is easier to submit than stand up, but that is not an option.
2 Corinthians 13:7 - Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.
1 Peter 3:14 - But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
Philippians 4:8 - 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Romans 12:17 - Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
6. Pray for them
One of our mightiest weapons is prayer, especially if we pray for revival. The Holy Spirit is the only Person that can change people’s minds and hearts; we also know that it is God’s will that no one should be lost but that all should come to Christ. We can therefore know that it is directly within the will of God.
Revival is necessary for people to come to Christ in large numbers. When God “releases” His Spirit on people, we will see how the most hardened people will bow their knees in repentance and acknowledge Jesus as Savior. Prayer will make a difference
.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 - 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
James 5:15-16 - 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
God and God alone can do this miracle. He can breathe life into “dry bones” (Ezek. 37:1-10) he made man out of dust and breathed life into man. We need to believe in the life-giving Spirit of God.
Genesis 2:7 - Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
7. Love them out of their socks!
There is a song that says: “Love changes everything”. The fact is that it does. What looks to others as foolhardy, will in the end prove to be the right strategy.
Matthew 5:43-48 - “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Romans 12:16-18 - 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
The road is going to be challenging, hard, but we can look forward to Christ coming to fetch us and take us with Him to heaven. A place of peace, joy and beauty beyond what we can even think. It is not long to go. The signs around us are telling us: Jesus is on His way!!
James 1:12 - Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
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