Persecution: It's Coming!

Yesterday was an historic day. The balance of power took a decidedly different look both in Washington and here in the state of Minnesota. The cry of "out with the old and in with the new" rang true in many places - among the exceptions were Nevada and California. The incoming class of freshman Representatives will be one of the largest in history. We can only hope that those elected yesterday will have their ears to the voices of the people. The American people still desire change, but they certainly spoke loudly yesterday that the change being offered the past two years was not the change they desired. Perhaps now we will truly see cooperation between the parties in Washington. I know a lot of prayer was offered for the election yesterday. But it is not time to stop; we need to pray even harder now for those who have been elected.

Earlier this week news from Iraq sounded a tragic note. Reports vary as to total casualties, but we know that over 50 people died and nearly that number were injured when a radical Islamic faction took over an Iraqi Church. The casualties were incurred when commandos stormed the church to free the hostages. Then, yesterday an Arab Church in East Jerusalem - founded by the Christian and Missionary Alliance nearly a century ago - was firebombed. Suspects include a radical extremist Jewish sect. Fortunately a group of tourists who were staying in the church escaped unharmed.

Persecution is becoming increasingly more common around the world. Christians have become the target of every radical extremist group. And I wonder how much longer before similar events will be happening here in our country. Christians are the centerpiece of the late-night comedians. Christians are often portrayed on both the big-screen and the small-screen as people who are out of balance. Christians are known as being so intolerant and narrow-minded. So far Christians have escaped loss of life for taking a stand for Christ.

I have been working on a message for November 14 - International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It is based on Matthew 5:10-12 where Jesus invokes a blessing upon those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness. In fact, this statement is the capstone of the Beatitudes. It is as if Jesus is saying to us, "Better expect persecution so as to respond to it appropriately." But, we have not come to expect persecution. Persecution happens in China, in Indonesia, in the Arab world, and in South America. But persecution is coming. In my study for the message I was drawn to the words of Jesus to His disciples: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." (John 15:18-20)

We are not to be seeking the approval of the world. The world's system is not God's system. The way the world conducts its business is not the way God's people ought to conduct the business of reaching the world. The Church marches to the drumbeat of Someone greater. Yet, sadly, the Church has tried to reach the world by adopting the world's practices. It is as if we were saying, "If we become like you, will you be inclined to become like us?" And the response has been a resounding "no!" The more the Church becomes like the world, the less it has to offer to the world. And what we have to share with the world is Jesus Christ - the very One that the world crucified on a cross; the very One that the world falsely accused of blasphemy; the very One that the world hated with a passion, unless He was feeding them or healing their sick. Throughout the history of the Church, those times when the Church was most successful in its witness for Christ were those times when it so strongly differed from the world that it was persecuted because of the difference.

Churches commandeered in Iraq and firebombed in East Jerusalem. When will we begin experiencing this in the United States? I believe it will happen when the Church begins to take a stand for truth and for the Word of God. May God help prepare us for those coming days.

Just a reminder to those of you living in the Greater Des Moines area. This coming Friday evening and Saturday morning (November 5-6), I will be sharing in a Prophecy Conference at Westchester Evangelical Free Church. Friday night begins at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. I would love to connect with you while there.