The Coming Persecution
by Bill Rudge
It is hard enough to survive in the world in which we live today let alone with someone trying to kill you because you are from America or because you happen to have a belief system different from theirs. We are beginning to identify in our country with the persecution that the early Church faced as recorded in the book of Acts.
I have been receiving calls, e-mails, and letters from missionaries and Christians telling me about increasing persecution, loss of freedom, financial difficulties, suffering, and open hostilities that they are facing. In the Middle East, China, and other countries around the world, Christians are being martyred. The light of the Gospel is not allowed to shine because unbelievers are intimidated by the overwhelming evidence and power of the Biblical message of Jesus Christ.
We are rapidly moving toward the ultimate fulfillment of what Revelation indicates is coming upon the world. We are heading toward a new world order, a global society, and a unity of religion where everyone is accepted regardless of their religious belief. An Antichrist and a False Prophet will soon rise on the world scene.
In order for this global society to be implemented, people who live on this planet must either be converted to this new regime, be silenced, or be eliminated. The seeds of this are growing into fruition on a global scale. What began as tolerance for all religions will become an intolerance for only one –– Biblical Christianity.
Spirit of Antichrist
Throughout history and Biblical times we see the spirit of Antichrist inspiring open hostility against God's people. For example, as Moses was about to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, the spirit of Antichrist used Jannes and Jambres to oppose him. Pharaoh's magicians tried to duplicate the miracles God performed through Moses –– but were unable to do so.
We see that same spirit of Antichrist opposing Elijah and seducing the nation of Israel through the prophets of Baal. Then we see the spirit of Antichrist seeking to destroy Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace because they refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's 90-foot golden image –– but God protected them.
We see in the Book of Esther how the spirit of Antichrist attempted to annihilate the whole nation of Israel –– but once again, God intervened. Then we see that Satan himself entered Judas to lead him to betray Jesus. However, this led to the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation.
We see the spirit of Antichrist influencing the martyrdom of Stephen, the first martyr of the church. We see the spirit of Antichrist motivating Herod to put James to death because it "pleased the people". There is a day coming when it will "please the people" and be popular to harass, persecute, and even martyr true believers in Jesus Christ. Then we see in Revelation chapter two the spirit of Antichrist inspiring the martyrdom of Antipas, God's faithful witness.
While all the false prophets were telling the people what they wanted to hear, Jeremiah spoke the true word of the Lord. Jeremiah was persecuted for many years as he faithfully proclaimed God's word. However, this true prophet's words eventually came to pass.
Testimony for Jesus and the Word of God
Biblical beliefs are continually being undermined –– even by supposed theologians who are saying, "Jesus didn't really mean He was the only way of salvation and we can't be certain He really said this in the Gospels. We all serve the same God. We need to unite for the common good and salvation of our global family."
While the apostate church grows in popularity by propagating a Jesus who accepts everyone, it will have increasing hostility for Biblical Christianity. Those who proclaim Jesus as the only way of salvation and refuse to compromise the Word of God, will be the ones that the spirit of Antichrist will oppose, persecute, and seek to destroy. Hostility will be vented against those who maintain a testimony for the Word of God and the Jesus of the Bible.
If you and I could reason together, we would see that the various religions cannot all be true; they are diametrically opposed in belief. If we examine the evidence of the Jesus of the Bible, it is so overwhelming that we must stand up and proclaim that He is the only way of salvation, the promised Messiah, and that the Bible is God's unique Word. However, in certain countries, when someone converts to Christ it can mean imprisonment or martyrdom because of committing a hate crime against his culture and his heritage.
Under the leadership of the False Prophet, the apostate church –– which is a spiritual harlot who distorts God's Word and sells out the Jesus of the Bible for a watered-down Jesus –– will persecute those who refuse to compromise the Word of God and their testimony of Jesus .
The apostate church will be drunk with the blood of the saints as the False Prophet causes all who refuse to worship the image of the Antichrist to be killed. The Bible clearly reveals that there will be a world system under total dominance of tyranny and deception by the Antichrist and the False Prophet. There will be incredible hostility against Jews and believers in Christ during the second half of the Tribulation.
Revelation 13:7 indicates that the Antichrist will make war against the Tribulation Saints and conquer them. The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary states concerning this verse:
To "make war" does not mean to wage a military campaign but refers to hostility against and destruction of God's people in whatever manner and through whatever means the beast may choose. "To conquer" them refers not to the subversion of their faith but to the destruction of their physical lives.While those who come to Christ during the Tribulation will be protected from God's wrath, they will face Satan's persecution consisting of hunger, thirst, loss of home, exposure to the elements, scorching heat, and martyrdom.
Focused On Three Things
I am giving a glimpse of what is coming (both before and during the Tribulation) to make the body of Christ begin to purify their hearts and lives and focus on reaching this world while we still have time.
The true Church of the end times will be focused on three things. First, it will be focused on evangelism. It will have a zeal to reach this world with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Second, it will have a focus on staying faithful to Jesus Christ and His Word. Third, it will have a desire to persevere and endure in the midst of growing persecution.
Why does God allow persecution?
God allows persecution to test our hearts and commitments. Many believers are caught up with the cares of the world and immorality through the filth on television, pornography, and the Internet. God will allow this wave of persecution across America and our world to purify us. He is coming back for a Bride without spot or blemish who has made herself pure. That is why we need to clean up our thoughts and live godly lives.
If you or your loved ones are being persecuted, tortured, or martyred, will you want to watch filth on television? No. You will want to pray, read God's Word, and seek His help and His peace. Now is the time to begin doing so.
No matter what you believe about the tribulation and the rapture –– if you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture (which we lean toward), or a mid-, post-, or pre-wrath rapture –– this spirit of the Antichrist has been at work throughout the history of the world. It is growing in intensity and will accelerate in the months and years to come. This intensifying is apparent through the media and on the world scene. Persecution has happened throughout history in nations around the world and it is coming to America.
Saved From God's Wrath
Those who compromise for convenience to avoid Satan's persecution will face something a million times more terrible: God's wrath. Those who stand true with their testimony for the Jesus of the Bible and the Word of God may face intense persecution, perhaps even martyrdom, but they will miss God's coming wrath.
The trumpet and bowl judgments reveal some of the horrendous and catastrophic implications of God's wrath. Revelation 14:9-11 also gives a horrifying glimpse of God's wrath which is avoided by Tribulation Saints who endure Satan's persecution ––
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
Romans 5:9 says ––
Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him.
The implications of the blood of Jesus Christ and being saved from God's wrath have become all the more impressed on my heart and mind as I see Revelation beginning to unfold. We are saved and are overcomers because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
He Who Overcomes
Will the death of the martyrs and the blood of the saints be a triumph for Satan? To the contrary, it will be a victory for faithful followers who confirm their loyalty to Jesus Christ by their witness even to death.
Overcoming is in reference to an athlete preparing for the athletic games, training very hard, putting everything into trying to win the contest. He throws off anything that entangles him and diverts him from his goal. It is also in reference to a soldier in military conflict, giving everything he has to win the battle –– standing strong in the face of the enemy.
The Lord is encouraging believers to overcome. He is calling us to be committed to Him like an athlete running a race, who keeps his eyes focused on the finish line and pays any price to win a perishable wreath. He is telling us to be an overcomer like the Roman soldier in battle, who knew nothing but victory, and was so determined that he would face and endure anything to accomplish his goal.
In contrast to the overcomer ––
the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).
God desires a body of believers who will honor His Name, even unto death. Jesus said ––
Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).
The overcomer will inherit all the Lord has prepared for true believers
Revelation 3:21 promises ––
He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Revelation 21:7 assures us that ––
He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son."
During the Tribulation the greatest revival in the history of the world will occur. Revelation 7:9 indicates that a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be standing before God's throne wearing white robes.
When Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist and the False Prophet and all
the armies gathered against Him at Armageddon, His faithful followers will be with Him (Revelation 17:14). That is the promise you and I have. We see that in the end we win and this is what keeps us motivated to persevere.
Day of Decision
In the days to come, you will face one of two things. You will face the spirit of Antichrist persecuting you and seeking your demise and destruction –– but you will overcome through the blood of the Lamb. Or, if you deny Jesus Christ and sell out to this apostate system, you will one day face the wrath of God poured out full strength.
This is a day of decision. The people on September 11th didn't have a chance to make a decision. It had already been made before. Your decision must be made while you have the opportunity. You may never have another chance to decide what your choice will be. You need to make it today.
It is not all that astonishing that an apostate and rebellious world is going to face God's judgment. What is amazing is that His mercy lets any of us live and gives us the opportunity to repent and spend eternity with Him. By accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and His shed blood for your forgiveness, you will miss God's coming wrath and inherit all God has planned for those who love and obey Him.
Lord, I pray for each person reading these words that Your Spirit will cause them to evaluate whether their name is written in the Book of Life and if they are standing for the testimony of the Jesus of the Bible and the Word of God. Encourage them to make a commitment right now that they would face persecution, and even martyrdom, rather than sell You out and face Your wrath poured out full strength.
Lord, we know that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. We thank You that we will be with You when You come back to subdue the nations of the world and will reign with You in the Millennium and throughout eternity. Cause everyone reading this to make that decision right now in their heart to accept Your sacrifice and shed blood to save them from Your wrath which we all deserve. We acknowledge You right now as the only Lord. We repent and give our lives to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
