Persecution

   I read an article today on the Christian News website and it was about an Arizona preacher who is facing possible jail time for holding a private worship meetings in his own place. Aside from the obvious fact that this once great country of America is falling to it's knees, our freedoms are going with it. Persecution of Christians are on the rise. Now, it's no where near the persecution of Christians in other countries such as Romania, China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Africa, but when we take a glance at their governments, (or lack thereof) it is very reminiscient of what ours is starting to become (without going into politics, which is one of my weaker areas, but it's kind of hard not to notice when you are falling off a cliff). With that, the tolerance towards Christians vanishes. America is the last great country where freedom of religion still reigns, but like I said for the Christians, who are singled out, our freedoms are going away. I'm sure if this Arizona preacher was that of Islamic faith, everything would be just fine and dandy. It's sad when people can hold giant superbowl parties and make tons of noise, getting drunk off their butts, but when your holding a Christian meeting in your house, on your own property, you get thrown in jail. Please Pray for this brother and his family, they have done nothing wrong.

   I suggest picking up the book, "Foxe's Book of Martyrs", one can catch a glimpse on what persecution was like throughout the ages. Even today we see these types of persecutions, tortures, imprisonment, beatings, beheadings, burnings...of course you don't hear this kind of stuff on the news, but biblical prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. When this persecution comes to America, and I promise you it will, the goats will be seperated from the sheep.

The apostle Paul warned us that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Timothy 3:12.

Jesus Christ said,"If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19

   We need to stay strong and pray for those who are enduring these tough times. Pray for God to keep the church strong and for brave men and women to stand up for what's right and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we are actively being persecuted, keep Philippians 3:8-10 in mind,"Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which [is] from the law, but that which [is] through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faiththat I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." Praise God for He is good.


Here is the article for the story and a link from Gotquestions about persecution:

http://christiannews.net/arizona-preacher-facing-jail-time-for-holding-home-worship-meetings/

http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-persecution.html