Are we to be shocked or surprised if Christians are persecuted in the Last Days? Not at all, for we are warned in the Bible that persecution will arise to those who follow Jesus Christ. Persecutions were predicted in the Bible.
John 15:18-19 (CSB)
“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.”
Jesus spoke these words, in the above scripture, to His disciples. He was warning them of what was to come after He was crucified; the terrible persecution that would arise for Christians. Jesus was also being reassuring. By saying what would happen to Christians, He was preparing them to stand firm and have great faith in Him for when these hard times would come.
Why is the world so hostile to Christians? It is because of sin and rejection of God by those unbelievers who then persecute others who believe in Jesus and the truth of the gospel.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (CSB)
We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body.
1 Peter 4:16-17 (CSB)
But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 3:14 (CSB)
But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated.
As I write this, it is now the month of May in the year 2024 and we as Christians in the western world are now beginning to see/experience the persecution of Christians to some extent. We have seen and heard of this form of persecution or worse to our brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries around the world, but now it is spreading to countries that have been mostly exempt from such behaviour and intolerance of one group of people towards another group of people. We are getting closer to the return of Jesus. We, of course, do not know the exact day and time He will return but we must keep living a righteous, holy life in preparedness for Jesus’ return.
Matthew 5:10 (CSB)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”
2 Timothy 3:12 (CSB)
In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
1 John 3:13 (CSB)
Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
Psalm 23:4 (CSB)
Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.
Matthew 10:21-23 (CSB)
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. For truly I tell you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Jesus is warning His disciples, in the above scripture, of the persecution they will suffer in their lifetime. He is also warning future generations of what to expect.
I like the phrase ‘Forewarned is forearmed.’ The Oxford Languages dictionary explains this phrase as: Prior knowledge of possible dangers or problems gives one a tactical advantage. I also urge people to read the Bible for themselves, because then in the Last Days nothing will come as a shock or surprise to them. God’s word is there to help and comfort us throughout our lives. We know, as Christians, that if we endure what is to come and continue always telling others the truth of the gospel, we will have eternal life.
Romans 8:38-39 (CSB)
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, 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.
John 3:16 (CSB)
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Stay strong everyone, stand firm in Jesus Christ.
Onward Christian Soldiers 