A deeply faithful Christian man was stuck on his roof at home with massive flooding up to the 2nd floor. A Rowboat comes by. He says “No, I’m waiting for God. I prayed and I know he’s coming.” A 2nd Rowboat comes. “No, I’m waiting for God.” Then, a 3rd Rowboat arrives. “No, I’m waiting for God.” The water rises. The man drowns. Now he’s meeting God in heaven. The religious man says, “Where were you God? I prayed. I was faithful. I asked you to save me. Why would you abandon me?”
God says, “Hey, I sent you 3 rowboats.”
“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:17
It seems to me that only a few months ago, for those of us living in the United States, Christian persecution in today’s world was something we only heard about occurring in other countries such, as Iran, North Korea, China, etc. That is understandable based on the non-Christian make-up of their governments. But the U.S., which was founded on the principals of religious freedom and freedom of speech, has long been a bastion of religious liberty, a place where you could follow your faith regardless of what that faith is. Yes, anti-Semitism has definitely been on the rise here unfortunately due to the long term efforts by Satan to destroy God’s chosen people, the Jewish people. But today, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, governmental restrictions are also now placed on CHRISTIAN churches unheard of in the entire 250 year history of the United States. Today, you can riot with hundreds of others, go to a Walmart, a liquor store, a Las Vegas casino and even go to get an abortion. But try to go to a church service on a Sunday morning and that is forbidden in so many cities across the country. Why? Because it is Satan’s continuing attempt to stop us from hearing the Word of God!
“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”
Matthew 24:9
One of the many prophecies Jesus gave to His disciples on the Mount of Olives was that they, because of their faith in Him, would be afflicted, hated and killed. Every one of His disciples except for John, were in fact killed for their beliefs. God had a different destiny for John. His job upon imprisonment on the Isle of Patmos when he was in his mid-90’s was to write the Book of Revelation which tells us all the things which will happen in the Last Days. He was released shortly afterward and died of natural causes in his late 90’s. However, since that time there has been a continuous hatred by the world towards the followers of Jesus Christ. Even the so-called “Christian” Catholic Church during the Inquisition killed and tortured anyone that disagreed with their ruling governmental interpretation of the Bible. I strongly recommend reading Foxe’s Martyrs of the World written in the 16th Century for more info. A warning! It is very detailed and brutal on how Believers in Jesus were treated.
If you are a Believer in Him, chances are you may have already been personally treated unfairly for your Faith in Jesus or you probably will at some time. But, it will get far worse!
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’s sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Matthew 5:10-12
If you Believe in Jesus today and have accepted His pardon of your sins, you will be Raptured before the start of the 7 year Tribulation, the worst time in the history of the world. During this time persecutions and martyrdom will increase exponentially for those who came to know Jesus AFTER the Rapture. In fact, for those who come to know Jesus during the Tribulation, there will be many people who will be willing to die for Him rather than take the Mark of the Beast and worship the anti-christ. For this refusal to worship the anti-christ or take the Mark of the Beast, they will be beheaded. No, I am not talking about the 1500’s. I am talking about today where this form of execution will be officially revived. We are told in Revelation 20:4, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them: and I saw souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (the 1,000 year Millennium reign of Jesus on this earth AFTER Armageddon).“ In other words, those not Raptured but who come to Believe in Jesus and His Promises, many will be beheaded during the 7 year Tribulation. They did not take the Mark of the Beast, nor did they worship him or his image. And for that, they will be executed! Sounds pretty scary doesn’t it?
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go WITH THEE (capitals mine); he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
What would you do if you knew you have two choices after the Rapture? You can accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior knowing you will probably die and go to Heaven OR you will worship the anti-christ and take his Mark and for that you will also die but this will be an eternal death of torment in hell. Let me ask you again. What would you do?
“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father; To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Galatians 1:3-5
We have a Promise from God. Believe in His Son Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness of sins and you will go to Heaven forever. Don’t and you will go to hell forever. It is your choice to make but it is so comforting to me knowing we do have a choice and that God is always with us. Like the example at the beginning, we don’t always get the answer we are hoping for but we will always get the result God told us we would receive. If you are comforted by this PLEASE help me to do what God has asked us all to do and that is to “…therefore comfort one another with these words.” You can do this by sharing or forwarding this post. In every way we can, we need to get His Word out to as many as we can before they have to make the most difficult decision of their life. Please remind them, the choice is Heaven or hell.
May God Bless you as we await His soon Coming!