Friends, we are living in the last days.
That phrase sometimes has a hollow ring to it, since
preachers have been proclaiming such for centuries. In fact, it has almost become a punch line to many folks. However, this pastor believes with all his
heart that we ARE indeed living in the last days, and we had better be
prepared.
In the second half of the first century in 2 Timothy, Paul
the Apostle wrote to his young protégé’, Timothy. This is the Apostle’s last known letter.
“But understand this, that in the
last days there will come times of difficulty”.
- 2 Tim. 3:1 (ESV)
In this letter he recounts times of
persecution he had endured for the sake of the Name. In fact, Paul is imprisoned at the time of this writing, and is
awaiting his execution. Yet he reminds his readers that in spite of the
persecutions, Christ had “brought him through it all.” He then gives young Timothy (and us) these
sobering words:
“Indeed, all who desire to live
a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on
from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” – 2 Tim. 3:12-13
The fact is that true Christ followers WILL suffer
persecution! This is not something new
that Paul had come up with. Jesus,
Himself, had told His disciples:
“If the world hates you, know that it has
hated me before it hated you. If
you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are
not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates
you. Remember the word that I said to you:
‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will
also persecute you. – John 15:18-20
Folks, we need to realize that following
Christ puts a “mark” on us, and a target on our backs for the Evil one. Do not be deceived into thinking that being
a Christian has anything to do with popularity. It does not. Study church
history… read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs… read the daily headlines, and you will
become increasingly aware of the persecuted church. Two recent examples at very different parts of the planet speak
to this truth.
The first example, was overt violence toward
Christians. It took place recently in
Pakistan, with 81 Christians murdered by Muslim suicide bombers, and 130
injured as they gathered for worship in the city of Peshwar. Read the full story here A Baptist Missionary, whose name cannot be
mentioned for security reasons, said this of the attack in Peshwar:
"This is not the first attack on a church, or on
other places of worship, but it is the highest casualty count to date. The Christian response has been one of
frustration and [it] adds to the sense that this is not a country where
Christians or other minorities can survive."
We
know from other secular news accounts that similar stories of death,
destruction, and imprisonment of Christians abound in places like China,
Indonesia, Iran, Russia, etc.
The second example, much less violent, and
much more subtle, yet very real persecution in itself is the firing of FOX
Sports commentator, Craig James, after only one sportscast. James says the reason for his firing was
because of his Biblical views on marriage.
This is most disturbing, since his views were not expressed in his work
environment, but had been expressed months before in the course of running for
political office in Texas. When
contacted for a response by “The Dallas Morning News”, an
unnamed FOX spokesman said: "We just asked ourselves
how Craig's statements would play in our human resources department. He
couldn't say those things here." Read the full story here.
Now, does the treatment of Craig James reach
the level of assassinations, and physical torment? Of course not, but it is indicative of the subtle (for now)
persecution that is taking place toward Christians right her in the good old
USA. It is going on around us, and in
the face of constitutional prohibitions.
I say this just to remind us all that true, full blown persecution of
Christ followers is coming – even here in America.
The question is “Are you prepared?” We have been warned. We should expect no less.
To be prepared, it will require a close walk with the
Father. It will require the fullness of
His Holy Spirit and the boldness of the Apostles. It will require a regular diet of His word and dependence upon
it. Paul spelled that out for young
Timothy in the following verses:
But as for you,
continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom
you learned it and how from childhood you have been
acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good
work.” 2 Tim. 3:14-17
This is serious business, folks. If you are a true follower of Christ, Be Prepared!
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