The era of persecution
The Christian of today forgets that Christianity was birthed in persecution .
Wherever the name of the Lord was proclaimed and preached in the New Testament early church , there was trouble stirred up by those who were jealous , those who opposed the name of Christ .
In other words , the unseen enemy , the power of the air worked through his minions on earth to trouble and persecute those who preached Christ and those who accepted Him.
With all that has happened in church history between then and now , one thing is clear , Christianity has forgotten or does not know or chooses to ignore the fact that persecution is a part of being Christian at both personal and corporate level .
Because this world is currently under the rule of the prince of the power of the air and he is vehemently opposed to those who are purchased by the blood of the Lamb , he will do whatever there is in his power to cause disruption , trouble , humiliation and even physical attacks and death to us .
With the signs of the end times and Christ’s imminent return , it is pretty obvious that the enemy’s rule is coming to an end .
The Word of God declares that during this period trouble and persecution will multiply in all the earth . No one can change what the Word declares in prophesy . ( let us read our Bibles more instead of listening to TV preachers all the time )
So instead of asking the Lord to take away these troubles can we not ask Him to give us the courage to face them instead? Because when we are connected to His name , and His Spirit dwells in us , of whom shall we be afraid ?
Can the present government fuelled and energised by the powers of the air frighten us , and make us feel discouraged and dejected ? Is our faith and relationship with the Lord so feeble that we doubt the sovereignty of the Lord in matters such as governance of the nations?
If a non secular government comes back into power , let us give thanks to the Lord in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 because God has allowed it.
Yes , let us remember that He has allowed it . When He allows something totally contrary to our expectations, He knows what He is doing . That does not mean God has stopped loving His children . The Bible says He is the same yesterday today and forever. And His Word is infallible . If our faith is too weak to believe that in the present circumstances let us ask Him to increase it and support it so that we do not doubt Him or His Word .
Let us admit that we have forgotten to suffer for Christ and are getting complacent and comfortable following Him when all is well .
Perhaps He wants to know our extent of faithfulness in the midst of opposition and persecution . Instead of praying for preventing these , can we not pray for grace and strength to face and conquer by faith ?
Even as the poll results are declared , please do not be discouraged by it. Rather submit to the sovereign will of the Lord and God who rules the nations and nothing happens without His consent .
And let us press on .. to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus our Lord ..
The Christian of today forgets that Christianity was birthed in persecution .
Wherever the name of the Lord was proclaimed and preached in the New Testament early church , there was trouble stirred up by those who were jealous , those who opposed the name of Christ .
In other words , the unseen enemy , the power of the air worked through his minions on earth to trouble and persecute those who preached Christ and those who accepted Him.
With all that has happened in church history between then and now , one thing is clear , Christianity has forgotten or does not know or chooses to ignore the fact that persecution is a part of being Christian at both personal and corporate level .
Because this world is currently under the rule of the prince of the power of the air and he is vehemently opposed to those who are purchased by the blood of the Lamb , he will do whatever there is in his power to cause disruption , trouble , humiliation and even physical attacks and death to us .
With the signs of the end times and Christ’s imminent return , it is pretty obvious that the enemy’s rule is coming to an end .
The Word of God declares that during this period trouble and persecution will multiply in all the earth . No one can change what the Word declares in prophesy . ( let us read our Bibles more instead of listening to TV preachers all the time )
So instead of asking the Lord to take away these troubles can we not ask Him to give us the courage to face them instead? Because when we are connected to His name , and His Spirit dwells in us , of whom shall we be afraid ?
Can the present government fuelled and energised by the powers of the air frighten us , and make us feel discouraged and dejected ? Is our faith and relationship with the Lord so feeble that we doubt the sovereignty of the Lord in matters such as governance of the nations?
If a non secular government comes back into power , let us give thanks to the Lord in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 because God has allowed it.
Yes , let us remember that He has allowed it . When He allows something totally contrary to our expectations, He knows what He is doing . That does not mean God has stopped loving His children . The Bible says He is the same yesterday today and forever. And His Word is infallible . If our faith is too weak to believe that in the present circumstances let us ask Him to increase it and support it so that we do not doubt Him or His Word .
Let us admit that we have forgotten to suffer for Christ and are getting complacent and comfortable following Him when all is well .
Perhaps He wants to know our extent of faithfulness in the midst of opposition and persecution . Instead of praying for preventing these , can we not pray for grace and strength to face and conquer by faith ?
Even as the poll results are declared , please do not be discouraged by it. Rather submit to the sovereign will of the Lord and God who rules the nations and nothing happens without His consent .
And let us press on .. to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus our Lord ..
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