The Coming Great Persecution by brother Greg

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other" (Matthew 24:9-10)

Our Lord spoke these sobering words to us in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 24 . Something in us does not want to accept the idea that in the end times all nations will hate and persecute Christians. This seems like a non-reality to us and something that could never happen because we live in such religiously tolerant countries such as Canada, United Kingdom and America. We would like to edit our Lord's words and abbreviate them with a softer less harsh reality. But this will not change the truth our Lord said would happen. We live in cultures that shun away from pain of any kind, there are pills and remedies for even the slightest discomfort in our bodies. In such an environment persecution and suffering in our bodies for the faith of Jesus Christ seems even more absurd. There is not only a confusion over these things but there is a danger of complacency and comfort that will have us unprepared for the time that will come upon us.

I recently watched a short documentary on the sad events of the 2004 boxing day Tsunami that hit Indonesia that caused almost a quarter of a million deaths. The video showed the Tsunami spreading to different regions and hitting the shores of heavily populated areas. What struck me with the complacency of the people in the different areas, even the amusement of it all. At one beach they see a white crescent on the distant horizon spreading across the entire large bay. People watch memorized as this white crescent comes nearer and nearer. When the save swallows up 2 ships in the bay some of the watchers realize the magnitude of the event that is about to strike but for most it is too late. In another shoreline people smile and laugh in amusement as the entire bay is emptied of water and ships are beached. It begins a spectacle that is full of fun and amusement as people take pictures and as the water comes back in their consider it something fun to watch. Yet when the wave came into that shoreline so many were caught unawares and their running was in vain, multitudes are screaming as they are swallowed in the waves and dragged back out to sea never to return.

I was watched the video a sobriety came over me not just over the deaths of so many people but of what is about to come upon the world of Christians and some of us not being aware of the times are living in. Many of us do not believe this could be the end of times we are living in. Just as the Tsunami came without warning and even came with a delusion or spectacle, so the coming of the end times persecution will come upon many Christians unawares. I am not arguing for any type of position of the rapture of the church if it either pre or post in this short article. Yet I believe firmly that we will all feel like we are in the great tribulation when this end time persecution wave hits the church. The birth pains will become worse and worse and many of those that have believed in a pre-tribulational rapture that would have them escape from all suffering will be 100% unprepared for what is going to come upon them.

Persecution of Christians has not diminished but world wide has been increasing yearly. More Christians were martyred in the 20th century than in all previous centuries combined. Most of the apostles (Philip, Matthew, Mark, Peter, Paul ...) were martyred. Many were martyred in the Middle Ages (Huss, Jerome, Joan of Arc ...). Between 1540 and 1570 some one million Protestants were publicly put to death in various countries in Europe. Overall, some 50 million were martyred by the Roman Catholic Inquisition for 'heresy' between 606 AD and the middle of the 19th century. Protestant reformers (More, Tyndale, Latimer, Cranmer ...) were martyred. Some 20 million were martyred during the 70 years of Russian atheism and communism. And some theologian just over 100 years ago in a land were persecution does not exist promoted a theology that the end times church will not suffer and be taken away before all these things happen. This is not only a sad mistake in dispensational theology it is resulting in many Christians in our day to not be aware of the coming persecution.

The Apostle John said to the church in his day that they should not be surpassed if the world hated them (1 John 3:13). Our Lord Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke that all men will hate us not just nations (Luke 21:17). But also gives us the comfort in these words: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." (John 15:18). May we prepare in our minds to suffer for the Name of Christ in our bodies (1 Peter 4:1). May we be aware of the times and seasons that are coming upon us.

I offer a few practical suggestions: One to start with is to read the lives of martyrs in the Christian faith from such as the great book "Foxes Book of Matyrs." Develop a theology of suffering from the Scriptures and don't allow small inconveniences and pains to disturb you. Study the Scriptures towards the theme of martyrdom especially in the book of revelation. May we also be bold to stand for the Name of Jesus Christ and therefore not be ashamed before Him before others (2 Timothy 3:12).

I would commend the book Martyrs Mirror. It is a tough read but edifying. The book covers the persecution of believers from the first century up until the time the book was written. Probably around the 16th century.

This book focusses upon the history of those Anabapist who held to faith in Christ and their belief in believers baptism. Often times sisters who believed in such would be bound together and thrown into the river as a sign of mockery to their belief.

A historical fact must be pointed out. Yes, the Roman Catholic Church was persecuting the Anabaptist. But also the Reformed church at this time, those who were Protestant in their beliefs, also persecuted the Anabatist. Many Anabatist were pit to death at the hands of the Calvinistic Reformers of their day.

I know some of you are going to howl over this. But these accounts are documented. The Anabatist had very few friends among the Protestants. So to the Anabaptist, the Catholics and the Protestants were their enemies.

The implication to us in this day is sobering. Seeing that persecution is coming to America one is mindful of the words of Jesus. The Savior tells us that a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. In this case the spiritual household. I fully expect that persecution of the American remnant will be at the hands of American evangelicals.

Posted by Bearmaster.

Greg the advice you give here is right on and should not be overlooked

Quote "I offer a few practical suggestions: One to start with is to read the lives of martyrs in the Christian faith from such as the great book "Foxes Book of Matyrs." Develop a theology of suffering from the Scriptures and don't allow small inconveniences and pains to disturb you. Study the Scriptures towards the theme of martyrdom especially in the book of revelation. May we also be bold to stand for the Name of Jesus Christ and therefore not be ashamed before Him before others (2 Timothy 3:12)." Close quote.

Also Bearmaster I have read Martrys Mirror and I agree every christian should read it as well as other persecution literature.

Even on SI are some good messages that real with martyrdom. Art Katz message on Invisible Cloud of Witnesses is one. Moderator HmmHmm put together a thread of messages that touches upon this subject. Good to listen to.

Bearmaster.

Bless GOD that we do have the time to count the cost. We don't know how much time, but other countries have gotten surprise attacks without warning.
We have this time to pray and be ready and willing with a deeply planted resolve to never recant and Trust Him to get us through - faithful unto the end. The great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.

Thank you all!

Thank you for your comments, additions and encouragements. May God see fit to make us a people willing to suffer and as my suggestions and advice that we should daily take opportunities to suffer in preparation for much great suffering. But in the end it is soley the love of Jesus Christ in our hearts and His grace that will enable us to overcome under such intense suffering. The grace will be given as a gift. Also even our words will be given by His grace in the time of our testing as we rely on the Holy Spirit:

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:11-12).

1Co 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under [buffet] my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

A.T. Robertson's Greek Word Pictures -

1Co 9:27 -

" But I buffet my body (alla hupo¯piazo¯ mou to so¯ma). In Aristophanes, Aristotle, Plutarch, from hupo¯pion, and that from hupo and ops (in papyri), the part of the face under the eyes, a blow in the face, to beat black and blue. In N.T. only here and Luk_18:5 which see. Paul does not, like the Gnostics, consider his sarx or his so¯ma sinful and evil. But “it is like the horses in a chariot race, which must be kept well in hand by whip and rein if the prize is to be secured” (Robertson and Plummer). The boxers often used boxing gloves (cestus, of ox-hide bands) which gave telling blows. Paul was not willing for his body to be his master. He found good as the outcome of this self-discipline (2Co_12:7; Rom_8:13; Col_2:23; Col_3:5).

And bring it into bondage (kai doulago¯go¯). Late compound verb from doulago¯gos, in Diodorus Siculus, Epictetus and substantive in papyri. It is the metaphor of the victor leading the vanquished as captive and slave.

Lest by any means (me¯ po¯s). Common conjunction for negative purpose with subjunctive as here (geno¯mai, second aorist middle).

After that I have preached to others (allois ke¯ru¯xas). First aorist active participle of ke¯russo¯ (see note on 1Co_1:23), common verb to preach, from word ke¯rux (herald) and that is probably the idea here. A ke¯rux at the games announced the rules of the game and called out the competitors. So Paul is not merely a herald, but a competitor also.

I myself should be rejected (autos adokimos geno¯mai). Literally, “I myself should become rejected.” Adokimos is an old adjective used of metals, coin, soil (Heb_6:8) and in a moral sense only by Paul in N.T. (1Co_9:27; 2Co_13:5-7; Rom_1:28; Tit_1:16; 2Ti_3:8). "

2Co 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in riots,
in labors, in watchings, in fastings

I wish you would just go ahead and say that you dont believe in pretribulation Rapture.And that fine if you do.I just dont think Post Trib could be correct mainly due to the "days of Lot and Noah" scriptures.

Dear Brother,

Thank you for your concerns and comments. I do not 100% hold to a specific doctrinal view of the end times. I actually do not find myself fitting into any of the 3 popular view: Pre-Trib, Post-Trib and Mid-Trib. I find that all of these doctrinal views have too much baggage and requirements to believe what the scholars ask us to believe.

All that I am trying to bring forward I believe in the article is to state that to teach a Pre-Trib viewpoint that presents the idea of being free and never having any period of end time suffering is foreign to much of church history, and to clear bible belief. So I believe that is dangerous to believe that type of view and doctrine. I am not contending I believe for a Post-Trib view rather I am contending for whatever viewpoint you believe that there is a time of suffering coming that Jesus Christ clearly spoke of in scriptures and we must get ready for this.

I hope that is more clear. I am sorry if I seemed to speak against the entire doctrine or idea, it could happen and I am open to be caught up in the Rapture at any point! I am not sure who of us who really love the Lord would argue when we go ;) I feel even the rapture could be much earlier for some of us because each day is not guaranteed for us and when we die (each of us personally) that is our own "personal" rapture to be with the Lord.

I'm sorry brother Greg that you feel this way for this is not the gospel. This sounds worse than humanism. Jesus didn't tell us to take daily opportunities to suffer as though we are to add something to His finished work. Jesus said we would suffer because of our relationship to Him but he would give us times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. There a big difference in our suffering because we follow Christ than in daily taking opportunities to suffer.

I am not trying to say that the Gospel is to suffer. Or suffering saves you. I am not saying either that if you do not try to suffer you are not saved. That is "not" what I was trying to allude to. I was simply trying to show that we have a doctrinal bias in our day to justify our comfort even fleshly comfort and the doctrine or idea of suffering is foreign to much of modern evangelicalism.

Yet there are 100's of clear biblical verses that speak the opposite. So my only point was not to go out looking to suffer but rather when suffering comes (and it will) then embrace it and allow the grace of God to work in you to overcome it. Also I agree there is not real way to 100% prepare for suffering in the end times such as martyrdom but we must be willing to suffer for Christ at least in a way of verbal abuse. Such as if we speak a word for Christ or righteousness and we are evil spoken of. Christ said that this would happen and we must not resist it or deny His Name even in just normal conversations in our day.

Here is a video by John Piper on suffering where he reads verses about suffering, I felt it very good and he gives it with much grace:

"You Will Suffer" by John Piper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--JiiuJNvt4&feature=relmfu

I trust this helps clarify abit of what I was aiming at dear brother.

I attend a small church called "Prepare The Way". The pastor commented this morning that "A Tsunami is about to hit this nation and that very few are prepared." I believe that he was speaking prophetically. God has been speaking through many of the disasters that have come suddenly killing many people because they were totally unprepared and never saw it coming, but who is listening?

It is a major deception to believe that the economy is improving in this nation. It doesn't matter who is elected to be our next president, a Muslim or a Mormon. Only God can save us. God is going to shake all things that can be shaken and our only safety is to stay hidden in the cleft of the rock.

God is looking for intercessors that are watchmen that see what is coming and will sound the alarm.

Amen dear brother I believe there really needs to be a sobriety in our walks these days, May we be hearing the still small voice of God. A very godly brother shared this link on his email list, I am very weary of videos like this but I do feel it covers some events that "are" actually happening and we must be doing the will of God in our days. This is his disclaimer for the video: "t seemed good to me to send you this link and let you check for yourself andevaluate just a few of the amazing things that have been going on all over the worldin the first three months of 2012! After watching this video I sensed afresh thelateness of the hour! It does seem that the whole world is in travail and that allcreation is groaning, just waiting for the coming of our Lord! It seems that the signs of His coming grow more clear with each passing day! May His church rise up andbe ready to meet Him. See the link below for some interesting developments" - http://www.youtube.com/user/fidockave213?ob=0&feature=results_video&v=G0JchP9G_qI&lr=1