Will extreme persecution happen to me in my lifetime?
Christians beware!—it will only get worse—you will be subject to more and more tribulation, trials, troubles, afflictions and persecution. Not during my lifetime and I hope many years to come, our children and grandchildren could face extreme persecution in the form of imprisonment, beatings, torture and loss of life.
OpendoorsUSA.org list the following top ten countries with extreme persecution: North Korea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea. Please note these are either communist or muslim countries.
The Bible is very clear regarding persecution:
II Timothy 3:12 All who desire a Godly life will be persecuted.
John 15:18 If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.
Matthew 5: 10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
How will you face persecution?
Will you face it with fear or with faith? Everyone who publicly lives a committed Christian life will face some kind of resistance from the world. Casual Christians (those who only play the game and are loved by the world) know nothing about spiritual warfare. In fact the Bible tells us that as persecution increases “most people’s love will grow cold”, Matthew 24:12. Also many professing Christians will “fall away” and will proceed to cooperate in the persecution of their former brothers and sisters in Christ, Matthew 24:10. The same thing is indicated in II Timothy 3: 2-3 which says that people will be “haters of good” and that they will therefore be “brutal” and “reckless”, reviling those who stand for righteousness.
An admonition to true born again Christians: face persecution with faith; make certain that God is first in your life; get into the Word and stay in it on a daily basis; do not cope evil in your own strength but rely on the power of God; pray often; and let the Holy Spirit work mightily in your heart to provide power and guidance.
To the unbeliever, I pray that someday soon that you will accept Jesus our Lord and Savior and lead a victorious Christian life.
