What do we do if Christ-hating people attempt to take over our nations?

As I came into the presence of the Lord in the wee hours of the morning I saw this in the spirit.

“Invitation from the Spirit of Glory”

“Glory Just Around the Corner Reign with Christ and Live His Life”

My heart leaped for joy. Inside the invitation I saw these words,

“Invitation to Life of Persecution and Tribulation.”

My joyful thoughts were overtaken by an ominous threatening feeling and I found my soul recoiling and retreating. Fortunately the scripture that I had been meditating on for the past few days arose in my heart, “Jesus said, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” John 14:1 ...

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Glory Just Around the Corner

"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." I Peter 4:7-11 (Message)

Jesus said, "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking." John 14:1-4 (Message)

Persecution and Tribulation forthcoming to America, Europe and the Free World

The Holy Spirit then began to reveal to me that persecution and tribulation were forth-coming to America and Europe and other parts of the free world as it is already happening to many Christians around the world.

I felt like God was saying that we need to be prepared for this, so I went to the Word of God as I felt like in the midst of persecution and tribulation that Jesus was still asking us to be as He is in this world and to bring the light of Jesus into a world that is filled with darkness and hatred. There is still the opportunity to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in power and demonstration of His love. Through Jesus there is hope for the hopeless, there is still divine healing for the sick, there is still peace for the fearful, there is still deliverance for the captives, there is still love for the unloved, there is still provision for the needy, there is still salvation for the lost, there is still comfort and there is still hope for the future.

"Jesus said, 'I've told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them.'” John 16:1-4 (MSG)

"I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience tribulation and difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered and overcome the world." John 16:33

"Jesus said, 'He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be His God, and he shall be My son.'" This is the future and hope of this world. Not that the world will survive - but that we shall be overcomers in the midst of a dying world.

"If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part evil is spoken of, but on your part He is glorified." I Peter 4:14

"God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children's hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live. God, your God, will put all these curses on your enemies who hated you and were out to get you." Deuteronomy 30: 6-7

"I call to God; God will help me. At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh deep sighs—he hears, he rescues. My life is well and whole, secure in the middle of danger. Even while thousands are lined up against me. God hears it all, and from his judge's bench and puts them in their place. But, set in their ways, they won't change; they pay him no mind." Psalm 55:16-19

"God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the One of Glory who sent me on my mission, commenting on the godless nations who stripped you and left you homeless, said, "Anyone who hits you, hits me—bloodies my nose, blackens my eye. Yes, and at the right time I'll give the signal and they'll be stripped and thrown out by their own servants." Then you'll know for sure that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me on this mission." Zechariah 2: 8-9 (Message)

"All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You're suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he'll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we've been waiting for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they've done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you." II Thessalonians 1: 5-10 (Message)

Jesus is inviting us and warning us to expect persecution and tribulation and God’s grace will be sufficient!

"In the midst of persecution, God shows Himself faithful in giving His believers all that they need in the moment of need." II Corinthians 12:9-10. God’s grace is sufficient!

God’s grace is all that we as believers in Jesus Christ need. His strength is more than enough!

"Jesus said, 'If the world hates you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own ...' John 15:18-19

"Don’t love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all it’s wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity." I John 2:15 (Message)

Christ said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you .." (John 15:19-20).

"I've told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them. John 16:1-4 (Message)

"Jesus suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right." I Peter 2:21-25 (Message)

"Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They're as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse." II Timothy 3:12 (Message)

HOW CAN WE GET READY FOR THE PERSECUTION?

*Feed on the Word of God. "Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take." Joshua 1:8,9 (Message)

*Practice the presence of Jesus with you all the time and develop a close relationship with Him. Come to know Him as He is, the same yesterday, today and forever, who ever lives to make intercession for you.

*Pray that you will be baptized and continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere… to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

*Love One another as if your own life depended on it. Read stories and articles about brothers and sisters being persecuted in other lands, pray for them. “Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!” Glory Just Around the Corner Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. I Peter 4:7-13

*Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. I Peter 3:8

How would I do if some Christ-hating people were to overtake our nation and say to me, "If you deny the Christian faith you will live but if you confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and that you are a Christian, then you will die!"? By God’s grace may each of us hold fast to Christ unto the very END

Yet, you don’t have to be in a foreign country to be persecuted. The Bible clearly states that in the times of the end, brothers will sell one another and betray one another, so don’t be too surprised if this will happen where you are even amongst your own. No, we cannot control how we, as Christians are treated, but we can control how we treat those who persecute us.

Let’s see how Jesus, Who was the most persecuted, guides us into behaving:

*Jesus said, pray for your persecutors. "But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your persecutors;" Matthew 5:44 It is a commandment!

*God’s Word says, Bless your persecutors. "Invoke blessings on your persecutors - blessings, not curses." Romans 12:14

*Trust God, He will deliver you! "But Yahweh is with me as an awesome mighty one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be utterly disappointed, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten." Jeremiah 20:11

"He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors." Psalms 7:13

*Do not try to revenge yourself or settle your own score. If God allows persecutors to take our lives, Jesus said, "Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." Matthew 10:28

*Realize that If you suffer for Christ, you will also reign with Him! “This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. II Timothy 2:11-13 (NLT)

*And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders." Revelation 5:9-11 (NIV)

*Obey God. "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come." Matthew 10:23

*Rejoice. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11-13 We can actually rejoice because we are being persecuted, for Jesus' sake, knowing that the Lord will be with us in the midst of the persecution and that there will be more than ample reward when we stand before Him.

*Remember it is not you that they are persecuting, but rather Christ in you. The Lord asked Paul (then Saul), "Why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4) He didn't say, "Why are you persecuting my people?" but "Why are you persecuting me?" It is not actually us that people are rejecting but they are rejecting the One we represent. Therefore, Jesus promised to share His reward with us. All the glory and honor that Jesus has and will receive will be shared with those who have suffered shame for His name's sake (Rom. 8:17).

*Look forward to your great reward! "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matthew 5:12

*If we will but focus on the reward rather than the persecution, we will actually find ourselves rejoicing. God's reward is infinitely greater than any suffering we will ever encounter.

*Remind yourself always that God loves even those who persecute us just as He loved those who persecuted Him (Luke 23:34). He desires their conversion, not their judgment.

*We need to learn how to draw on strength and power in Christ Jesus. That can only happen as we deny ourselves and let Christ live through us.

*You are more than conquerors. “As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, Romans 8:37

*Remember that God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (I Thessalonians 5:9) Christians will be miraculously spared the wrath of God during the tribulation. They will be on the earth but that doesn't mean they will experience God's wrath. God’s wrath is reserved for His enemies (Nah. 1:2). We cannot engineer a way of escape just because we don't like what's coming. We need to put our faith in Christ and endure until the end.

*Always remember that God is on your side. So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8:31-39 (Message)

Donna Schra, October 27, 2008

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it