The ongoing persecution of Christians has been a sad reality in many parts of the world. Brutality at the hands of those who want to extinguish Christians, state-sanctioned violence, and Islamic extremists play a sad role. Persecution has been something Christians here tend to dismiss as an ‘over there’ issue. I firmly believe there is a trend being established in the Western world. It’s subtle in nature, but if you are carefully watching what is going on in media, entertainment, government, and, sadly, some ministries, you will discern that the tide of public opinion is rapidly turning against true Bible-believing Christians. It is time for Jesus’ followers to prepare for persecution in the West.
To be certain, our brothers and sisters face severe persecution, unlike anything believers here in the West have dealt with. Right now in many parts of the world, beatings, starvation, beheadings, and burned churches are everyday life for them. I ask you to pray for them because they have placed everything on the line for faith in Jesus. They are family, and we are called upon to support each other. Our ministry resource page links to Voice of the Martyrs and other ministries to help persecuted Christians worldwide. If you want to help by giving or writing a letter of encouragement, please click here.
Before we continue, I want to make a quick distinction about timing. I firmly abhor date setting and making ridiculous, unbiblical predictions about the last day’s events. When I say that persecution is coming, I don’t know exactly when it will begin, but I know this: Our brethren in many parts of the globe aren’t exempt from persecution, and neither are we. It’s worth noting that the spirit of the Antichrist is already at work even now, and this growing Christian persecution is certainly an indicator of the nearness of the Lord’s return and may very well be setting the stage for end-time persecution that’s certainly coming. What you are witnessing now in the increased hostility toward true Christians here in the West is but a sampling of the all-out persecution that will take place as history comes to a close. John 15:18
Look at the trend in recent years: Florists, bakers, photographers, and other business owners are fined and made to attend sensitivity or diversity training for standing firm in their faith. Then, there is the squelching of our children’s faith in Jesus. There are numerous examples of how free speech and freedom of creative expression are just fine in the classroom, where all subjects are on the table except one: Jesus.
This world celebrates the lives of the wicked and vilifies the lives of the righteous. We are certainly living in a day when evil is called good and good is called evil. Christians are increasingly vilified because we won’t bow the knee and join in the celebrating of what this world calls acceptable. Isaiah 5:20
In parts of Europe and Canada, verses from the Bible and sermons containing them are being labeled as hate speech. Pastors in Scotland and the Netherlands have been arrested and fined for hate speech because they read from verses in the book of Leviticus or elsewhere.
Times are changing, and so are Western views regarding religion. Pluralism and tolerance of religious expression and beliefs increasingly apply to all but one group: Christians. The World Council of Churches promotes a culture of multi-faiths and denounces Christian ‘religious superiority.’ What they mean by denouncing ‘religious superiority’ is they stand against the exclusivity of Jesus. Mark my words, this mindset of the World Council of Churches and ecumenism are setting the stage for one world religion under Antichrist disguised as the truth. From here on out, I expect true Christians to become marginalized, vilified, and experience increasing persecution. In most of Europe, Canada, or America, if you believe in traditional marriage, stand for life, and believe Jesus is the only way to heaven, you are generally labeled as a hater or out of touch. Words are powerful, but the media, blogosphere, and entertainment industry wouldn’t dare denounce the exclusive claims of Islam as they do Christianity.
If you are a disciple of Jesus, it’s open season for you and your beliefs.
Friends, the persecution has already begun with words and slander. Rogue judges and prosecutors in Europe, Canada, and the US. are censuring parts of religious Christian broadcasting, arresting people for teaching certain parts of the Bible, and levying fines on Christian business owners for not providing certain services. This world has a very skewed sense of the reality of good and evil.
In the near future, true Christians could very well have bank accounts seized, fines imposed, face jail time, get physically beaten, or even be murdered for our faith. This may be the reality for Western Christians who refuse to deny their faith and not go along with the crowd. Make no mistake about it, Christians are on the verge of growing persecution here in the West because we won’t compromise on the exclusivity of Jesus and the Bible.
How should we respond to coming persecution? We can pray for our enemies. We can maintain a spirit of humility and kindness, even in the face of harsh ridicule and treatment. We shouldn’t compromise the gospel message for the sake of acceptance. Saturate yourself with God’s word. Spend time with the Lord in prayer. Fellowship with other believers. The Lord will strengthen you to stand and prepare for persecution here in the West. 1 Peter 3:15
All for Him,
Howard
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