There are many areas of the world where persecution of the church is a cruel and brutal reality. Some countries strictly enforce the 'when, where, and how' worship can take place ... while others prohibit it altogether. Christians are often arrested and killed for simply declaring their faith or possessing a Bible.
We are admonished to keep them in our hearts ... Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3)
Where the Word of God is outlawed, believers covertly read it online and listen to faith-based radio broadcasts when available. If Christians find each other, an 'underground' assembly is often formed in order to study God’s Word and pray. Because of the risk, they rotate the location and keep invitations to 'word-of-mouth' only. Regardless of a difficult and hostile environment, they find comfort in the promises of God ...
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Even when a Christian is isolated from other believers, he can maintain a close relationship with the Lord because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Encouragement, strength, and comfort come, especially in threatening situations. Jesus pledged ...
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. John 14:26
History is filled with stories of believers who maintained strong faith under the worst persecution and isolation imaginable. The threat of death was meant to send fear through the ranks and end the spread of Christianity ... but martyrdom only increased the resolve of those left behind.
1. Fellowship with the Lord's suffering.
2. Spiritual maturity and endurance.
3. Brotherly love and support.
Though America once played an important role in evangelizing the world, those days are quickly coming to an end. We are in the middle of a societal revolution in which the church is vilified and persecution justified ...
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited ... 2 Timothy 3:1-3
True believers are being driven underground, while false religions continue to thrive. There is no turning back now ... everything points to the soon return of Christ.
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