PERSECUTION

PERSECUTION

1. Martyrs go to Heaven:- John saw a huge crowd from every tribe and tongue in front of the throne, worshipping God. These had been killed in the tribulation. They did not belong to any denominational church structure and many were not even baptized. (Rev. 7:14)

2. Yeshua was the most persecuted :- He was a man of sorrows, rejected and acquainted with grief. He was bruised and afflicted so badly that people could not see His face. He suffered all this for our transgressions. We are healed by His stripes. (Isa. 53:2-5)

3. Persecution guaranteed:- Yeshua said, “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.” Peter said that the very appellation of “Christian” should attract persecution. Paul prophesied, “All who serve Christ will suffer.” (John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1Pet.4:1,2; 12-19)

4. Persecution leads to multiplication:-  After Stephen’s martyrdom, persecution broke out in Jerusalem resulting in believers fleeing and planting hundreds of churches in many cities. (Acts 8:1; 11:19,20)

5. All the early Apostles died a martyr’s death:- Philip was hanged in Phrygia. Matthew was killed in Ethiopia. James was thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple. Mathias was beheaded. Andrew was crucified in Asia. Paul was killed in Rome and Peter was crucified upside down. John died in Prison on the Island of Patmos, aged 92 years old. Millions of saints have been martyred since then and are still dying every year, just because they are Christians. (Rev. 2:10,11; 19,20; Matt. 5:10-12)

6. There are many kinds of persecution:- First - by fanatics and hostile governments. Second- Christians persecuting each other because over their traditions “making the commandments of God of no effect” (Mark 7:8). Third, “self-inflicted”- caused by open air crusades, noisy worship and publicizing exaggerated reports leading to violence. Fourth is -no persecution, because the compromised church has lost its salt and light and Satan does not think it worth his while to bother about. (Matt. 5:13-16; 24:9; Mk 9:49,50; Acts 9:16)

7. Persecution births prayer:- When the disciples were tortured by authorities, they prayed for boldness, power and miracles. (Acts 4:29-31; Rom. 8:25-39)

8. Practice advocacy:- Paul and Silas were brutally beaten and unlawfully imprisoned. Their prayer and praise resulted in their release but they also claimed their legal rights. Our advocacy includes claiming our constitutional rights to get justice. (Act 16:23-40; 2Tim.2:12)   

9. Persecution proofing:- Though sporadic violence is steadily increasing, real persecution is yet to come. Persecution proofing should be part of the training of every Christian. (Matt. 24:2-30; 1 Peter 1:6-7, 11)

10. Lack of persecution stagnates the church:- God led Joseph, Daniel and Mordecai through very traumatic experiences but made them Prime Ministers of Egypt, Babylon and Persia respectively. The Devil will not give away on a platter the kingdom he has usurped by deception, however persecution cannot stop the advance of the Kingdom of God, rather it launches her forwards. (Matt 16:18; Dan. 2:25-27; John 16:33)