Jesus Prepares His Saints

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will hated by all nations for My name's sake."

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My name's sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

I recently read about a California professor angrily mocking a student’s faith in front of the class. It brought to mind the things Jesus taught about persecution. If you are thinking this is an isolated event - it is not! All over the United States attacks like this are happening to school children, some as young as grade school. Christians all over the world are suffering, some giving their lives, for the privilege of bearing the name, Christian.

What is even more disturbing is the knowledge that our government not only doesn't stand against these persecutions, but they honor those who perpetrate them. The professor that berated his student for having faith in Jesus should be fired and the school that hired him should not receive a dime's worth of tax support until they do! After all, we Christians are paying taxes too! The Palestinians in Gaza are persecuting Christian Palestinians daily, killing many, but our government is giving them a billion dollars to continue their ways. India, and China, as well as many others persecute and kill believers in Jesus and yet our government rewards them with trade and access to our country as though they are honorable people.

The church in America is also to blame as they lift no wailing cries toward heaven to have these persecution stopped. Half of them even voted for an administration that allows this persecution without a whimper of protest. The blood of those being killed is on their hands and on those who voted them into office!

Our nation was founded on Christian principles and our government will only work for a Christian people. Perhaps that is why the current government is trying so hard to convert us to atheistic socialism? Because of our Christian heritage in this country, which is the source of all our national blessings, we have a right and a duty to protest the turning away from that heritage. As it did in the beginning of our country, this cry must begin in our churches. If the church, and the church is its people, doesn't repent from its adultery with the world, we will lose what little is left of our rights. We must confess once again that it is only in Christ Jesus that we find freedom and not in a central government and its tentacles that try to invade every aspect of life.

Those that would be the "bride of Christ" must purify themselves by turning away from worldly principles of expediency and greed and return to their first love, which is unashamed proclamation of Jesus as the only truth, way, and life. For it is only the bride that can make herself ready (Rev 19:7).

 

In Revelation 13, which is a letter from Jesus to the Church, He says "He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." (Rev 13:10). To those saints who are suffering persecution, Jesus is saying "Vengeance is mine and I will repay those who persecute you." Even children who suffer for the name of Jesus will be vindicated. And all those who sat by and allowed it to happen without raising their voices in protest will share in that judgment!

Pastor Charles Cooley