Is it true, as Tertullian observed, that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church?
Christianity spread throughout the Middle East and eventually around the world after the death of Jesus our LORD, His apostles and hundreds of faithful followers.
Christians in China, the Sudan, North Korea, North Viet Nam, India, Pakistan, Uganda, Iran, Iraq… the list is endless die daily for their faith. Refusing to bow the knee to a false religion, they stand faithful to Jesus their LORD, without compromise as their churches are burned to the ground, many times with believers locked inside. Often they are made to stand and watch helplessly as their children are murdered, wives raped and husbands butchered before their eyes. And yet they stand. Saints continuing to stand strong, the gospel continuing to save in spite of fierce demonic opposition.
But there is no persecution within the churches of the USA and the UK? Should we raise our voices in great Hallelujahs? Are we to Praise the LORD? Perhaps we could point a finger at these churches wondering what they are doing wrong and smile assuming we are doing all things well?
Churches in America have swallowed and followed the lie - “compromise, tolerance, unity, oneness” No longer is The Word enough, we need extra biblical teaching from liberal thinkers who care more for the glory than the gospel. Unlearned sheep, refusing to read His Words, their ears wide open and minds empty sit, soaking in the latest heretical teachings offered by the 'gospel stars' of TBN, GLC and DAYSTAR. Sheep without discernment, they drift further and further away from The Truth and more and more into the world’ way of thinking and “doing“ church.
Attendance in churches within the UK continues to fall, as the percentage of those with little interest in the things of God continues to rise. Apathy reigns while cults, Islam and the occult are rapidly on the rise. Christianity in the UK has entered into drastic decline and churches are closing, sometime even being converted into mosques and bars.
“We must be prepared to suffer. We must be prepared for the fact that we may be arrested. Before I was sent to prison, I already prepared a bag with some clothes, shoes and a toothbrush. When I had to go to the police station, I could just pick it up. I was ready. People are still being arrested. You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Today the authorities are not bothering us, but tomorrow things may be different. I pray that we will receive the strength to stand firm.” Pastor Samuel Lamb/Christian Leader in China
Statistics have shown that more people died for their faith in the Twentieth Century than in all of the previous centuries combined. “During that century alone, there are documented cases in excess of 26 million martyrs.
Persecution will not come to either church until the church falls on its face in repentance for its idolatry. God will not be mocked, what we have sown, we are now reaping. Homosexuality within the church, same sex marriages within the church, legalized abortion, legalized drugs, illegal aliens, corrupt government and government officials from the top to the bottom, ungodly church leaders and false teachers, [feel free to add to the list].
Persecution coming to the churches within the USA and the UK? Doubt it!
Why would satan bother - he already has what he wants.
With "depart from Me, I never knew you" ringing in their ears, millions will scratch their heads in shocked horror as they realize too late what being a follower of Jesus Christ really meant. Sadly, the church in the USA would rather follow the toothy grinning, frosty haired "gospel greats" instead of repenting, reading and relying on His Word.
ReplyDeleteAlthough not unexpected, a very sad hour for the church in the twenty-first century. And you are correct, the Holy Spirit has given the church in America exactly what it wants and without realizing the glory has departed the church continues to grin and grab "the fire" unknown and unauthorized by the Holy One of Israel.
Well, the church is indeed persecuted in the USA and in the UK, just not to the point of death. Persecution is in the form of harassment, fines, jail terms, etc. The only reason it doesn't go farther is because it isn't legal to go farther in the USA and the UK. But it will come. And it will separate the wheat from the chaff.
ReplyDeleteVictimized, harassed, fined... yes - Beheaded, butchered, burned alive, raped, crucified, kidnapped... no.
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