The churches say that those who give up their lives for Jesus Christ in the end times are losers; “Left Behind.” The Bible says that suffering persecution for Jesus Christ is “glory” and a cause for “rejoicing.” Who is one to believe?
Persecution: Not the Wrath of God
“But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.”
—Mark 13:9
Suffering persecution for the cause of Jesus Christ, far from being the “wrath of God” as the apostate churches like to teach, is a testimony.
Suffering persecution is both a testimony of those who have faith in Jesus Christ and a testimony against the persecutors.
According to Matthew Poole’s Commentary (1669)
The persecutions of Christians are,
1. A testimony against the persecutors, of their ingratitude, and cruelty, and hatred to the name of Christ.
2. They are a testimony to the persecuted, of their faith, and patience, and courage, &c.
Poole neglected to say that persecution of Christians is a necessary sign that one is a Christian.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.“
—2 Timothy 3:12
Becoming a martyr is the ultimate testimony for Jesus Christ. One who suffers persecution in the flesh has ceased to sin, according to Peter.
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;”
—1 Peter 4:1
The ultimate testimony is giving up one’s life for Jesus Christ. In fact, the word “martyr” means “testimony” in Greek.
FEAR NOT
The Bible tells believers that overwhelming forces of Satan will be overcome in the end times by believers who are willing to give up the temporary shells of their lives in this world as a testimony for Jesus Christ.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
—Revelation 12:11
It is the testimony of Jesus which gives believers their victory over Satan.
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”
—Matthew 10:32
The testimony of Jesus. This then is how the Bible tells believers to be victorious in the end times. Anyone who tells the reader any differently is not their friend.
Anyone who says differently, who tries to get the reader focused on this life, is speaking for the dragon.
Fear is a tool of the dragon.
Instead of teaching what the Bible says to believers about persecution, the apostate churches promote fear with their lurid tales of being “Left Behind” and facing persecution.
The churches speak with a forked tongue.
A glorious reward awaits those who stand up for Jesus during the end times.
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the 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.”
—Revelation 20:4
THE GOSPEL
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
-–1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Part of preparing for the end times is preparing for what the Bible must come: persecution.
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
Separating from the World: END TIMES SURVIVAL
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- Persecution of the Saints: The Fear and the Pit and the Snare
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- Persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the Corporate Media
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Wikipedia – William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) – The Flagellation of Our Lord Jesus Christ (1880) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-14. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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