Persecution of the American Church
A fellow saint came to me yesterday, with great concern in his voice, talking about how the times are changing. We in the Church have all been aware that, over the years, the Church around the globe has suffered persecution that we in America had not experienced. Now, it appears that this persecution has found us. Over the past few months, it seems that now the Church in America is being attacked, and not only that, but those attacks are being celebrated. My response to my brother is simply that we need to continue doing our job as Christians, which is the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus gives us our instructions for life here on earth.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Similarly, in Acts 1:8, Jesus instructs us again:
“8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
I know that someone else telling you not to worry does not help. Yet as Christians, we know how the story ends. The wicked will suffer, and we will be with Him in eternity. To my righteous brethren, this is not our home, but we do have a job to do. Do not let these attacks dissuade or discourage you. Focus on what you can change: your relationship with Christ, your family, your community, the person directly in front of you. We are not called to strike back with violence. Do not spread venom, but rather, share the Good Word, the Gospel, share Jesus. Some of us want to fight in a worldly sense, yet we are fighting a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6), and the tools we use to fight are from God. You are part of an army, but not one that does violence. If you are not aware, skip to the end of the Book: Revelation 19:11-16
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
That verse makes me want to stand up and scream, “Amen!” John MacArthur says in his study Bible notes that the armies in heaven (Rev. 19:14) are composed of the ‘Church, tribulation saints, Old Testament believers, and even angels.’ So take strength from that fact, saints, we are on the right side of this battle, yet we still have a job to do. So turn off the news, stop worrying, and go to your family, your neighbor, the cashier at Walmart, and share the Gospel. Tell anyone who will listen, and even those that won’t. Make sure they know that there is a God in heaven who loves them, and that Jesus died for their sins. As Jude says:
“ 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Jude 1:22-23.
Finally, I leave you with an example from the apostles and suggest that each day, we pray the following prayer. In the book of Acts, when Peter and John were threatened to stop preaching the Good News, this was their prayer:
Acts 4:29-30 “29 And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”