From 1 Peter 4:12-14; “Beloved, do not be surprised at the “fiery trial” when it comes upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory and God rests upon you.” (all emphasis mine)
Going to 1 Peter 5:2-4; “[Elders] shepherd the Flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly [see also John 10:18], as God would love you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly. Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd [Jesus] appears, you will receive the unfading Crown of Glory.”
In today’s world, we are seeing these verses literally coming to life. Also, 1 Peter 5:8-9; “Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” Today, his “prowling” is out in the open as never before as we near the end of this age. His followers actually show pride in serving Satan.
Almost daily, we hear of Christians being martyred in certain areas of the world, and especially in some parts of Africa. In some cases, we’re told entire villages are being wiped out by forces that hate anything Christian.
Some places that are oppressive toward Christians are listed on an “Open Door” site on the internet: China, North Korea, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Yemen, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Vietnam, Kenya, India, Ethiopia and Egypt. They all are “unfriendly,” at the least, toward all true believers, and some are worse than others in their persecutions. God is not surprised, and through His holy word told us that times like these would intensify as we near the return of our Savior to take His church away.
So far, in the United States, the revolt against anything that pertains to Jesus is mostly verbal. There are isolated instances of physical altercations, but the left-leaning media somehow neglects to report them. Except for some Christian reporting sites, our media overlooks almost everything happening against Christians worldwide.
Just witnessing the process of having two Justices appear before a congressional committee to be appointed to the Supreme Court should have opened the eyes of everyone. The fact that both were highly qualified did not matter. What concerned the radical left was that some decisions they might make just might be rendered against their evil, sinful lifestyles, and they wanted these candidates ruled out.
For now, both are a part of the Supreme Court, and today conservatives number more than the liberals. However, there are certain senators and representatives that have threatened to add more seats to that court through a constitutional change, and add more seats to be filled by liberals so they can have total control. Some have even threatened to have Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., added as states to increase the liberal numbers in Congress.
Again, God is not surprised, and as true believers, we should open our eyes to the fact that this world is on a downward spiral. Going to 2 Peter 3:2-3;7: “…that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. But by the same word, the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire; being kept until the day of judgment [Revelation 20:11-15] and the destruction of the ungodly.”
The worship of Satan has been here since the beginning of time, although not as out in the open as it has been this past decade. There are two types of spirits in the world right now. As given in 1 John 4:2-3; “By this you know the Spirit of God; every Spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming [Daniel 11], and is now in the world already.” This was given by the apostle about 2,000 years ago. Satan has gained footholds in this world since then, and his desperation is showing as he knows his time is getting short.
Over the past decade or two, we have witnessed Christian businesses being targeted for persecution by evil forces. The reason was they would not provide services that went against their beliefs in the Heavenly Father. There is no doubt that they were singled out, as there were other secular businesses who would have gladly provided whatever these “customers” wanted. In the meantime, the targeted business owners were tied up in court for long periods of time at great expense to them personally, and many went out of business.
The alphabet group that has recently formed – LGBT and whatever – is attacking anything that is related to Jesus as somehow being “hateful.” Does “The Pot Calling the Kettle Black” saying come to mind? They have retained massive secular legal teams that purposely seek out and try to ruin the lives of anyone who has called on Jesus to be their Savior. They are backed by some mega-rich people who are part of the new world order that is rapidly coming to light, and are actively seeking the arrival of their supreme leader – the ultimate antichrist.
The absolute biggest ray of sunshine that all true believers have is that we see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, we have just about reached the opening of it to be set free from this evil world, and our redemption draws nigh! (Matthew 24:32-34). It could be any day, hour or even minute now. Paul describes the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. One point he makes is it will be “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52). He is telling us that one second we will be here, and the next we will be with Jesus. Those who will be left behind will only know that people have disappeared. Their future will be completely miserable.
Calling out to Jesus to be saved after we’re gone will be possible, but they won’t be taken up to avoid the remaining time of the wrath they are in. The antichrist will especially persecute God’s chosen people, the Jews, but people who call on Jesus and refuse to take the mark of the beast will be eliminated as well. It will be a rough 7-year period where about two-thirds of the total world population will be killed.
To have an inner peace during these “fiery trials,” we need Jesus as our Savior. He is the only way to the Father and to escape the wrath that is coming soon (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). He is our only Hope. False prophets are already in some churches, putting out ear-tickling messages that are not biblical, and full of misinformation designed to lead people to the ways of this sinful world. These false prophets were active 2,000 years ago, as stated, and today they have infiltrated some previously “Bible-based” organized evangelical churches. A whole lot of people are choosing the things of this world over the gift that our Savior paid in full for us, and their pathway is straight toward the White Throne Judgment. All who go to that judgment are lost.
Today, right now, if you do not have Jesus as your Savior, call out to Him. First, admit you’re a sinner in need of a Savior. All have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Believe Jesus came to this earth, was crucified and died for our sins. He was risen from the grave three days later by the Father to conquer sin and death once and for all who would accept Him (Romans 10:9-12). Call on the name of the Lord, and you will be saved (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13).
A, B, C; there is no other way. Satan would love for everyone to fail; God wants no one to be lost (2 Peter 3:9). There are no other options. Follow Jesus and have a forever home in Heaven; follow Satan and have a forever punishment in the Lake of Fire. Jesus is coming back soon to call up all true believers to be with Him to avoid the coming wrath. All the signs that we are at the end of this age are here right now for the first time ever.
Best move you could ever make is to call on Him – He’s waiting, and will turn no one away – before the shout and trumpet are sounded. It’s totally each person’s choice to accept or reject the Savior. Hope to see you at the Rapture!
Shalom!