Persecution
Psalm 44:22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed (face death) all the day long; we are counted as sheep (waiting) for the slaughter.
(Romans 8:36)
Pay heed to the word of the Lord, it is going to become more difficult to be a Christian than ever in the coming years. Many of you are not going to be able to endure the hardships, the persecutions , the physical attacks and the tribulation and hatred that the world is about to unleash on God's people. Matthew 10:22 has a warning but a promise attached to it. "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." The world hates us (believers in Christ) for that one simple reason....because they hated Him they will hate you. Do not be deceived, Christians will be persecuted even unto death here in America! I see the hate towards Jesus and those who follow him everyday as I collect my e-mail and read through the letters. 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Beloved think it not strange concerning (or be surprised by) the fiery (painful) trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened unto you: But rejoice, insomuch as ye are partakers (made partners with) of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." The world has no respect for Christ and his words nor will they show respect to you as born-again believers. The anti-God movement in this country is building while Christians sit in their churches afraid to face the spiritual battle approaching. There will be no protection within the walls of our sanctuaries if we do not join in unity and eliminate division of doctrine right now. Psalms 37:23 "The steps of a good man are ordered (made firm, are directed, stablished, and ordained) by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." The world is united in hatred toward the truth while Christians seem to have trouble defining truth for themselves. Truth is Christ Jesus and that is all the definition I need! The most powerful weapon we as believers in Christ have are the gift he sent to us when he went away. This gift is the Holy Spirit. He is there as our helper as our comforter and we are to depend on him. Ephesians 1:13-14 "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise), who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory (God has already purchased us and he guarantees to bring us to himself)." Matthew 5:44 "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" And how are we to do this? We cannot do it ourselves, alone. How do we pray for those who come against God's work? The answer is found in Romans 8:26 " In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us (the Holy Spirit will pray for us) with groans that words cannot express." It is my nature to strike back, if I'm hit I want to hit back harder, but that is not the way of the spirit. We must put the flesh aside and allow the Holy Spirit to react. Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
Matthew 10:19 "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. verse 20 "For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Our reaction in the flesh will always be the opposite of what we should do. But the Holy Spirit will always react truthfully. No matter the outcome if we stir up that spirit of God within us we are to rejoice. God will get the victory and the glory. Matthew 24:9 "Then they shall deliver you (handed over) up to be afflicted (persecuted, tortured), and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake." Today is the day that the love of many are waxing cold, men are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, this is all bible prophecy happening before our eyes and yet no one is preaching it. Why doesn't men of God preach this? Because it is not popular! Read Matthew chapter 24 over and over again then look at your newspaper and ask yourself if there is a difference? 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 speaks of God sending men strong delusion that they would believe the lie because their hearts had hardened toward him and they received not the love of truth that they might be saved. Those of us who have been sanctified of the Spirit and belief of the truth standfast (stand firm) and hold the traditions which you have been taught in Christ Jesus by us. Pray that the Word of the Lord will have free course, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. God is calling for unity within his church, not compromise with the world in order to bring peace, but the church must come together in agreement as one, and this can only be done if we allow the Holy Spirit to do the work.
In my years of ministry since 1979 I have seen the world become progressively more bitter and angry toward Christians. The hate of God is very popular in this day and age. Part of the reason is inconsistency in the message that has been preached. Seems as though more churches are compromising the values of the Word of Christ as to not rock the politically correct boat of modern moral beliefs. In doing this the world has lost any respect for church or religious authority. Anyone who stands on the principals of the bible now is considered a fanatic or a possible cult. Anyone who is not willing to allow popular opinion to dominate is ruled an outcast. I will stand firm and proclaim I know nothing without Christ, but I know all things through his spirit. My opinion and yours means nothing. If a person claims to be a Christian then they should take heed to the Word of the Lord and honor their heavenly Father by obeying that which never changes (God's Word). There is no new way to view it, interpret it or define it. The bible says what it says because God never changes and the way it is, is the way He wanted it to be eternally! We find comfort in God's Word Hebrews 13:6 "So we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
In closing I urge and encourage all of you who claim to be washed in the blood of Christ to seek out God's will through the spirit and be not moved in your faith when the world comes against you.
In Christ Jesus,
Dale Thompson