The Rise of Persecution

Trials and tribulations should be expected by all who choose to follow Jesus. The Christian walk is not an easy one. We must realize that we do not wage war against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities, spiritual wickedness in high places. It is fortunate when our worst days of “spiritual warfare” are when we are faced with temptation, fight the urge to use vulgar language, want to lie, or refrain from doing good when we should. These are very real circumstances, and submission to these things are sin. If this is the worst we face, and I know at times these are bad enough, I also know it could be so much worse.

I am afraid that we will indeed see worse. There is a storm on the horizon gaining momentum, speed, and strength. That coming storm is persecution. In the headlines of media and news, and across the globe on television we see a very open and violent persecution of Christians in the Middle East. Men, women, and children are being kidnapped, crucified, tortured, beheaded, and gunned down because of their Christian faith. I feel a strong burden to pray for those people and the horrible situation they face. Please remember those people in your prayers.

These situations should not take us by surprise. As we see prophecy being fulfilled, we should know that it will continue to get worse. These things have been foretold:

Matthew:24:9: Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

Luke:21:12: But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

2nd Timothy:3:12: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

I believe we are seeing the very beginnings of those verses taking place. I also believe we are witnessing a very strong faith in Jesus Christ by those people who are more willing to die than deny the Savior. We often read of martyrs from the history of the church and their valiant fight of faith, yet, do we realize that we are also now seeing it in the present?

It is easy to say “well, it isn’t happening here” and carry on with our lives because we do not see it affecting us directly. Those people are our brothers and sisters in Christ, we better care! Their faith to the death should be a witness to you, it doesn’t show their strength, it shows His strength within them.

Luke:21:13: And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Don’t be fooled though, the storm is coming to you also. The persecution of the church has already begun. Prayer in schools or at school functions has been forbidden. City and state governments must now speak the name of Jesus in whispered voices or behind closed doors for fear of who might hear. Your beliefs may now exclude you from jobs, positions of authority, or show you as impartial or biased. Speaking your belief of Jesus as Lord and Savior could next lead to belief that you are a radical or guilty of a hate crime. You could be taken to court and found guilty simply because you stand on ideas and principles found in the Bible.

Right now, our government tolerates Christianity. We were once a government of the people, by the people, for the people, but we are soon to be a people under a government, unlike what we know today. If you understand Bible prophecy, you already know a change in government is coming. I believe that change is already taking place, but we still see the illusion of what we had. That veil will soon be removed and the persecution we see today will be a fond memory, because Christian persecution will be multiplied exponentially.

Please pray, pray for those suffering persecution to the death, pray for their safety and their lives, that their testimony speak to those who do not yet believe in Jesus. Pray for our churches, our national, state, and local leaders. Pray, if not for deliverance from these things, for strength, patience, comfort, and protection. Remember God’s word for those who suffer persecution:

Matthew:5:10: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew:5:12: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

The Blood

Since the fall of man in the garden there has been a need for sacrifice. There has been a need for redemption. There has been the need for shed blood. It is by blood an atonement is made.

In the garden of Eden, according to the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned. Shortly after their sin they found themselves to be naked and wanted to hide from God. It is fair to say at that point they understood guilt and shame. One small distinction between then and now is that today, even in the midst of guilt, there appears to be no shame. I really have to wonder if that is due to neglecting the knowledge of an omniscient, almighty, eternal God, to which every knee shall bow. Is the unbelief, the self-denial, really that bad throughout the world?

Before we get too far down the wrong path let me get back on point. Sin was introduced into the world. Because sin was introduced into the world, which is separation from God, there needed to be a way of reconciliation. God, therefore, presented to them animal skins. This indicates animals died, blood was applied, and a sacrifice was made.

Genesis:3:21: Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

There, at the very beginning of time, a way to overcome sin had been established. A way of reconciliation had been supplied to mend mans broken relationship with God. Man did not supply, man did not find the solution, man did not rectify the situation. God presented the answer. God had provided the blood necessary to cover that sin.

As we approach the Easter holiday, we think about family gatherings, Easter egg hunts, and for some, the annual trek to the nearest church. We ponder the cross, the death, the resurrection. This Easter, let me encourage you to also consider the blood.

1st John:1:7: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Hebrews:9:22: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Hebrews:10:10: By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews:10:11: And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Hebrews:10:12: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

We still have a need today for that precious blood that was poured out for us about two thousand years ago. There is no other blood that can cleanse our sin. There is no other blood, no other sacrifice that can mend a broken relationship with God, only the blood of Jesus Christ. What can make our sin, though it be as scarlet, white as snow? Nothing but the blood. God is still providing the sacrifice if you will accept.

Jesus still sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you and for me. Why? It is because that blood, that sacrifice is still as much at work now as it was then. That blood is still cleansing all who call upon the Savior. That blood is still being applied every time someone confesses their sin, every time someone repents of sin, every time a person accepts Jesus as their Savior.

This Easter many sermons will be preached, many lessons will be taught. Take the time to give thanks to God, not only for the sacrifice, not only for the resurrection, but also the blood. It is His atoning blood that cleanses away all unrighteousness. If you have not yet taken the time, now is a great opportunity to call upon Jesus and ask Him to apply that precious blood to you and your life, to accept His work, and praise Him for that saving grace, that beautiful sacrifice, and the privilege to become a child of God.

A lesson from Isaiah

The Word of God is our rule and our guide. It is our compass in a sinned stained world. In His word we find direction, understanding, and the straightened path. In the Holy Bible we find shining examples of leadership, sacrifice, love, character, and attitude.

Our world, today, offers little in the way of sacrifice, character, or attitude. The world cries “me” and puts self first. Entitlement is the attitude being adopted throughout society today. Add greed to the mix and you can see what a volatile society this is becoming. Christian views are being touted as “outdated”, “hateful”, and “intolerant”. We, as Christians, are living in an increasingly hostile time, which makes it more difficult to exhibit some of the traits found in the sixth chapter of Isaiah.

Isaiah:6:5: Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah could find nothing but woe for himself upon seeing the Lord. How many people feel worthy of seeing God because they believe that they, of their own accord, are good? Isaiah said that he was a man of unclean lips. How many are willing to admit that? I can admit that, I can say I have been guilty of worse, but I say that so God be glorified for His abundant grace and the cleansing power of His blood.

Isaiah continued by saying that he lived among people of unclean lips. It is hard to imagine that could be more true than it is today! Yet, Isaiah was willing to admit to his sin, to confess his sin, and see himself as unworthy. Is this you? If it isn’t, by the grace of God, it can be. This is a godly attitude and a humbleness sorely lacking today. Though you may be saved by His grace, do not forget from where you came, but use it to show others the miracle working power of Almighty God at work in your life.

Isaiah:6:6: Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isaiah:6:7: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Here we see the reward of Isaiah in recognizing his sin, confessing his sin, and seeing that he was unworthy. His iniquity was taken away and his sin purged. Isaiah had the right attitude. He was in the midst of a people with unclean lips and he was like them. With courage and truth he stepped forward, out of the crowd, and confessed. He was forgiven.

Isaiah:6:8: Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Finally, we see a willing attitude. Isaiah heard God ask, who will go for us? The willing servant said, Here am I, send me. The details weren’t given, the destination wasn’t given, the amount of time wasn’t given. None of these things mattered. Do these things matter to you? If God is calling, do you need the details? If God asks, is it too much for you? Are you counting the cost?

Today we should ask ourselves what kind of attitude we are displaying. Have we judged ourselves worthy, or worthy by the blood of Jesus Christ? Can we humble ourselves and confess our sin? Can we separate ourselves from the crowd for His sake? The Lord asks “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us”? My answer is, here am I Lord, send me. What is yours?

Take up your cross

We have a duty to live each day purposefully. So many people take every day for granted and have taken no thought of doing anything more than surviving the day and hoping to do the same tomorrow. We are not supposed to live this way. Our days are numbered, we have no promise of tomorrow. Are we serving ourselves with the time we have? Are we wasting the precious gift of life?

Luke:9:23: And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The first thing we must be doing is following Jesus! He set forth the perfect example. We must be pursuing perfection with our lives. This is not a choice, this becomes our new walk, our transformation. Being a new creature in Christ, it becomes our desire!

In this pursuit of our Savior we find that we must deny ourselves. We cannot be selfish within any part of our lives. Our time, our possessions, our very being must be secondary to the command, direction, call, and example of Jesus. Denying ourselves is very difficult and wages war against our very nature. Yet, when we deny ourselves, He becomes dominant in our being, He is made witness for others to see, He is glorified.

Then we must take up our cross. We do not take up our cross once then lay it aside, we are to take it up daily. This statement shows that it will not be easy, but it does show the extent of how closely we are to pursue our Master. The cross is not pleasant to look upon. It appears heavy, shameful, and more burdensome than we can bare. Do not let the appearance fool you. Do not be afraid. We have all sinned. We have all fallen short of God’s glory, yet God loved us. For this purpose we were given a Savior. We too have a responsibility to Christ, no matter how difficult it seems, we must follow Him, and we must live to purposefully glorify Jesus. He loved you enough to take up His cross which is far greater than the cross He has planned for you. Your cross is yours but not alone, and given only that you too could follow Him. He is our strength, He is our sufficiency. He carried His cross, He will also help carry yours. Let Him show you His strength, grasp onto your cross, lift it, take the first step and openly declare that you can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you! Let Jesus be glorified, for He is truly worthy!

Passover

As we near the Easter holiday, the theme of a risen Savior and new life becomes the prevalent thought and rightly so. It is the time we rejoice not only for the resurrection of Jesus, but also the promise of our resurrection unto eternal life.
A stone was rolled away and an empty tomb showed that no grave was going to hold His body down. In one act Christ showed His
dominion over all.

Yet, before the resurrection was the Passover. In the days of Moses God sent the death angel over the land of Egypt to
kill the first born sons, unless a lambs blood had been applied to the door posts, in which case the death angel would “pass over” that door and the children would be saved. “Exodus:12:27: That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.”

Although the Passover was celebrated in the days of Moses as a victory that was given by God, it also pointed to an even
greater event fulfilled by Jesus. “1Corinthians:5:7: Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” and “John:1:29: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” demonstrate the greater fulfillment and
the exactness of the name “Lamb of God”.

Jesus, the spotless Lamb, laid His life down. He made Himself our sacrifice. Let us always be looking to the Lamb, whose blood has been applied to all that have accepted Him as their Savior. Once the blood is applied the death angel has no choice but to “pass over”, for we go from life to eternal life, not death. Even today as loved ones leave this life, be comforted that the death angel still must submit all authority to that very same precious blood. As Easter draws near, please let these things be fresh upon your hearts and minds. Let us go out into the world and share these thoughts that the fulfillment be greater still for someone who has not yet accepted these things! Praise Jesus, for He is truly worthy!