“We are called to this hour in the end-of-the-end times. It is not the time to be fearful neither to cower before our enemy, Satan. Wait upon the Lord. Be still and know that He is God.” (Pastor Randy Minnick)
The fact that America has seen relatively little persecution of its Christian population belies the fact that persecution is part and partial of living a Godly life.
The Bible says:
• “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).
• “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2Ti mothy 3:12).
This suffering is not the suffering of sickness, poverty, lack and such. It’s the suffering for righteousness sake as we fight against our adversaries to defend our faith and as we resist our own flesh with its lusts and affections. Jesus said this:
• “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:10)
So, we see that Jesus expected His body to suffer persecution for His sake (i.e. suffering for the Word’s sake). Because we are His body in the earth, we can expect to be treated the same way as when He was in the earth (noting that we are in the earth but not of the earth). With this in mind, there should be no fear knowing what to expect and that it’s the Lord’s will and that He is with us.
There is much evidence of Christians being persecuted in such places as Nigeria where they are being slaughtered almost daily for their belief. And, Christians are so hated by the Muslims and atheists, if it were at all legally possible (e.g. as when the NAZI’s killed the Jews), they would have all Christians killed in that moment.
With this knowledge, should we not be ready
to “fight the good fight of faith”?
With this knowledge, should we not be ready to “fight the good fight of faith”? Should we cower and run from the enemy? Should we be found fallen from our faith and hiding behind the walls of men (and are those walls not prisons?)? Should we not stand our ground and cede nothing of our faith to an enemy who was defeated 2,000 years ago?
Let’s ask this question:
“Who is the man who prepares for a hurricane when he is in the eye of the hurricane?”. From at least the beginning of the church age, the Bible has shown us these things approaching. So, being unprepared is an option.
Certainly, it is evident that we are not in the “end times” but that we are in the end-of-the-end times. Ought we not to pay attention and be spiritually prepared for what (most assuredly) shall come? Should we not prepare for and engage in spiritual warfare as directed by scripture? Should we do anything less than wait upon the Lord continually as we are filled with His word and Spirit? Should we not pray for the will of the Lord to be done each and every day lest we be caught unprepared and be taken captive by the snare of the enemy?
As we see the world that we once knew unraveling into a tyrannical socialist/communist/one-world dictatorship where we no longer have individual rights and/or sovereignty, we must remember a couple of things. One thing is to keep our faith from defilement. And, are we not to obey the Christ’s commandment?:
• “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life”
Would any natural army face an enemy without being prepared and “built up”?
Would any natural army face an enemy without being prepared and “built up”? Do we (Christians) think that the word of the Lord is of no effect and that He will magically spare us from the persecution and affliction that will surely come? Shall we, then, disregard such a dire warning and complacently take the attitude of “whatever happens, happen because God is in control”? Will God change His word because of the doctrines of men and the laxness and lukewarm condition of His children to disregard Christ’s (no Moses’) commandments?!
We must remember this commandment (noting that it isn’t a recommendation):
• “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17 – Galatians 3:11 – Hebrews 10:38)
And, know this: faith without obedience to God’s word is dead/ineffectual/inert. Therefore, we need also to remember that faith works by (i.e. is motivated by) love. If we are found built up by the word of God and rooted and grounded in love (the Lord’s first commandment), we will have no problems walking in faith.
The Bible is clear on how to do this:
• “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:20)
We will be, through faith, “in Him” who is love and we shall overcome that wicked one by and through our faith and the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our (faith-filled) testimony (1John 2:14 and Rev 12:11 respectively).
And, to be “in Him” is to be in peace because He is also the Prince of Peace. If we abide in peace our faith is not defiled and nothing of this world (e.g. wars and rumors of wars) can shake us because of our faith. Purpose to be found in Him by being filled with His word, His will, His peace, and His wisdom.
Time and again, we hear this admonition in the Bible: “FEAR NOT !!!”
Time and again, we hear this admonition in the Bible: “FEAR NOT!”. Let us obey that commandment for our faith is the “God kind” of faith and it is invincible. And, if that wasn’t enough, Lord is with us and has not forsaken us; He will never leave us. His faithfulness is unto the heavens and His mercy endures forever and His compassions are new morning by morning. Let us daily remember these things and the ensuing verse and etch it into our hearts:
• “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).
We’re the body of Christ who have the same Father and who has access to the entirety of the Lord’s word, will, and Spirit. Let us, therefore be as He was in this earth: fearless and obedient. I say again: “Fear not”.
