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Christian Persecution and non-resistance

sermonindex May 18, 2008

Many of our Christian brothers and sisters abroad are persecuted daily for their worship of the one and only true Jehovah God. These Christians been saved by the blood of Jesus and it doesn’t matter, if the evil people kill their mortal bodies, they shall live again with him. Often we see posts and prayer request for these brothers and sisters. What exactly are we praying for in their behalf? I know what I’m praying for. I already know about their eternity and it is secure in Christ, when I pray I’m praying, I am praying that God will intervene on their behalf for safety and provision on earth. Bring on a Joshua and caleb or a Moses to better their life now. I am praying God will use HIS people to not only pray for them, but the send them part of their abundance in anyway God has supplied and give them power to do so. I am praying whenever it is possible, to send men to protect them and give them a chance for happiness on earth. How do you feel about this? What does your prayer consist of?

sermonindex May 19, 2008

What prayer persecuted Christians would be in tune with God's Word and will? Lord change the hearts of the aggressors, if they be not converted and continue to persecute your people. Would that be a prayer God would honor?

Please intervene, Oh Lord, for their protection. Have we ever seen God intervene on the behalf of His persecuted people in the past and observed that in scripture?

We know His children have eternal security and are in His Hands, but we also know God desires to see His glory manifested here on earth. What is the norm that God would do with people that persecute His children? We know what he does with the Christian persecutors eternally, but do we have any evidence if they harden their heart and continue to persecute his children they will not only face eternal judgment but here on earth as well.

How?

Can we all gain knowledge from reading the scriptures in all things and this as well. We have observed Him use what the world calls, natural disasters such as, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornado's, etc. Have we observed in the scripture and with the eyes that God often uses any other means? Has he ever used war or a military action to protect his people and punish the persecutors here on earth? Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Do we have any good solid scriptural evidence that God has used his people in defense of the persecuted brothers and sisters in the past and will use it again as in the vision He gave John in the book of Revelations. He did not give John all the vision, but said seal up the book.

H
hmmhmm May 19, 2008

we have aprayer in scripture, not so much for them that are persecuted, but by those who was persecuted.

And i belive we should be inone accord with their prayer.

Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Act 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Act 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Act 4:23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
Act 4:24 [b]And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Act 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
Act 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Act 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Act 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Act 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. [/b]

Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

there is so much to draw from this passage.

But I cant see that they really pray for peace or less persecution but rather

[i]grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,[/i]


but we should pray as the spirit leads us i am sure off. and the spirits leading can be different in our supplications.

Just some thoughts

E
enid May 19, 2008

I'll start with what you said last concerning the book of Revelation.

In Revelation 10v4, the angel tells John to seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered and do not write them.

However, in Revelation 22v10, John is told to not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

But, moving on about persecuted Christians, we do forget about them, because it is not our problem.

The thing is, we should forget about our problems, and seek first the kingdom of God.

I'm not speaking concerning eternal things, but material things, let God take care of them.

Actually, where in Revelation are you refering to when you speak about 'that God has used his people in defense of the persecuted brothers and sisters in the past and will use it again as in the vision He have John in the book of Revelation.'

I'm not familiar with that scripture. Could you help me please? Thanks.

sermonindex May 19, 2008


enid wrote:
I'll start with what you said last concerning the book of Revelation.

In Revelation 10v4, the angel tells John to seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered and do not write them.

However, in Revelation 22v10, John is told to not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

[i] That is correct. Revelations is very complicated. By no means claiming to be an expert in Revelations. It appear to me we did not get it all God had to say in Revelations as a matter of fact I can't even understand so much of it. I say we did not get it all in view of this passage. What makes things even more complicated books are in order and the passages many time in the books are not in a time line order.
Rev 10:7-11
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, [b]Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.[/b]

11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
[/i]


But, moving on about persecuted Christians, we do forget about them, because it is not our problem.

The thing is, we should forget about our problems, and seek first the kingdom of God.

I'm not speaking concerning eternal things, but material things, let God take care of them.

[i]I agree, we are to seek his righteousness and all these things willl be added unto us. [/i]

Actually, where in Revelation are you refering to when you speak about 'that God has used his people in defense of the persecuted brothers and sisters in the past and will use it again as in the vision He have John in the book of Revelation.'

I'm not familiar with that scripture. Could you help me please? Thanks.

[i]I was referring to God pouring his wrath out in revelations. I should have been been a little more clear I gave two scenerios. God using His people to protect others and pouring out his wrath with what the world calls natural disasters. Revelations will fit the latter. God's people will be with him then, He will not need there help. He doesn't need our help now. He is plenty capable of handling everything on His own. He does include His people in on His plans and always has did that. I will copy and paste some Old Testament scriptural examples below in where God usd or involved His people to set others free. The victory we must be most thankful for is the victory that which was accomplished at the cross, in which one can be forgiven of their sins and receive an adoption into the family of God to serve in whatever capacity that God sees fit to give by His grace.[/i]

Jer 47:1-5
47:1 This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:

2 This is what the LORD says:

"See how the waters are rising in the north;
they will become an overflowing torrent.
They will overflow the land and everything in it,
the towns and those who live in them.
The people will cry out;
all who dwell in the land will wail
3 at the sound of the hoofs of galloping steeds,
at the noise of enemy chariots
and the rumble of their wheels.
Fathers will not turn to help their children;
their hands will hang limp.
4 For the day has come
to destroy all the Philistines
and to cut off all survivors
who could help Tyre and Sidon.
The LORD is about to destroy the Philistines,
the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.
5 Gaza will shave her head in mourning;
Ashkelon will be silenced.
O remnant on the plain,
how long will you cut yourselves?


Judg 6:13-18
13 "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."

14 The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"

[b]15 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

16 The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."]/b]

17 Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you."

And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return."

Ex 14:1-4
14:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.'[b] 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So the Israelites did this.[/b]


Jer 44:30
30 This is what the LORD says: 'I am going to hand Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt over to his enemies who seek his life, just as I handed Zedekiah king of Judah over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the enemy who was seeking his life.'"


Jer 46:25-28
25 The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings, and on those who rely on Pharaoh. 26 I will hand them over to those who seek their lives, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past," declares the LORD.
27 "Do not fear, O Jacob my servant;
do not be dismayed, O Israel.
I will surely save you out of a distant place,
your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,
and no one will make him afraid.
28 Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
for I am with you," declares the LORD.
[b][/i]"Though I completely destroy all the nations
among which I scatter you,
I will not completely destroy you.
I will discipline you but only with justice;
I will not let you go entirely unpunished."[/b]
[/i]

[i] If I haven't cleared up everything you ask, please ask and I will attempt to answer further.
edit: Our primary mission as Christain is point people toward the Savior. It is our priviledge to be involved in that. I do see that the scripture teaches that our only mission on earth is that, primarily it is , but not the only one.
Matt 25:34-40

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
KJV

[b]I say this because Jesus cared about the physical, as well as the spiritual while He walked the earth in human flesh. His primary mission was the soul, but He cared for the physical needs. I often wonder how Jesus feels about His people debating some of the things that are debated and discussed about helping people in an earthly way.[/i][/b]

R
Ruach34 May 19, 2008

I'm not sure what this thread is about...But if is about how to pray for the persecuted people of Christ then let's go!
Heb 13:3 states: "Remember the prisoners as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves are in the body." (NASB)

We are not complete if we neglect the hurting part of our body. We have not apprehended the body if we neglect those. I hope you are in agreement. Our pastor this weekend brought an analogy to mind when he told us of the time he broke his arm. Everything in his body went to that broken part. His good arm reached over and cradled it, his eyes leaked tears, his heart beat faster to supply the blood, his mouth yelled for help...everything reached over to that broken arm. In the same way we are to do that with the persecuted part of our body. We are together with them.

How to pray? Many requests by those persecuted that come into ministries like Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid are simply, "Pray that we stand firm and do not deny our Savior."

[i]Act 4:29 "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word."[/i]

This should be the heart of our prayer for them. We must honor their request and pray accordingly. Yes, and pray that their perpetrators would see the life of Christ Jesus in them and repent.

And pray, dear saints, that by life or by death, we in America might glorify the risen Lord and that He might recieve the reward of His suffering.

H
hmmhmm May 19, 2008

I say this because Jesus cared about the physical, as well as the spiritual while He walked the earth in human flesh. His primary mission was the soul, but He cared for the physical needs. I often wonder how Jesus feels about His people debating some of the things that are debated and discussed about helping people in an earthly way.

Actually these chapters God has given me revelation just these two days, I think they are quite clear.


2Co 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2Co 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
2Co 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
2Co 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
2Co 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
2Co 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
2Co 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
2Co 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2Co 8:10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
2Co 8:11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
2Co 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
2Co 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
2Co 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
2Co 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
2Co 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
2Co 8:17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
2Co 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
2Co 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
2Co 8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
2Co 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
2Co 8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
2Co 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
2Co 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2Co 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2Co 9:2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
2Co 9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
2Co 9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
2Co 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2Co 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
2Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2Co 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
2Co 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
2Co 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

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