I know many of you will say that you will not face any persecution, because the church will be taken before this happens ... still, with the mass killings in Roseburg last week, those shot in the head were put to the ultimate test. And while this may be a one time incident, you have to admit that we, as a church, are witnessing more persecution around the world and even in this country (Christians businesses being sued for not providing services to some sects in society), and each day laws are moving in the direction of favoring the worldly over the believers like we had never thought possible.
So, even if these are mere birth pangs, none of us can predict we wouldn't face a challenge to our faith and way of living, so are you prepared to stand tall in times of persecution?
I know this question may seem hypothetical to pre-rapture folks, but, it is never a bad idea to play out certain situations in your heart so you will know how you'd like to respond if challenged for your faith.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on facing persecution before we "all fly united, one in the King!"
What will you do when faced with persecution?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by righteousdude2, Oct 13, 2015.
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righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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I think that it is naive to think that the Church will escape persecution.
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My own opinion. -
RD2..., faced with a crazed killer(s) I'll do my best to usher him/her into eternity with as much effort or fire power that I can muster. Old Reverend Black might have turned the other cheek but I don't plan to if faced with death.
I found an article on World Net Daily this morning with some alarming facts. Course, it's advertising a book but the title of the article is, "America Succumbs To Viral Mystery Madness".
“Mentally ill” loners who slaughter a classroom of students before shooting themselves; young Americans, male and female, who travel overseas to join ISIS and become barbarians and sex slaves; people who amputate healthy body parts in a desperate attempt to become the opposite sex, or who purposely put drain cleaner in their eyes to blind themselves or cut off their own hand, all to “feel more comfortable” with themselves; entertainment idols who revel in wild sexuality and mock God; and of course, the latest outrages of a “transformative” president who supports America’s enemies, betrays her friends, and leads a lawless government that daily tramples the Constitution, encourages massive invasion of the American homeland and prosecutes Christians as criminals.
http://www.wnd.com/2015/10/america-succumbs-to-viral-mystery-madness/#DAzkyABpf43SkOxO.99
Other highlights of “The Snapping of the American Mind” include:
- How the left has succeeded in redefining not just “marriage,” but the rest of Americans’ core values, from “equality” to “justice” to “freedom”;
- Why America, unquestionably the least racist nation on earth, is now being portrayed as a deeply racist pariah state;
- Why the United States is intentionally being flooded with millions of needy, dependent, Third World immigrants;
- How a group that amputates healthy body parts and has a 41 percent attempted suicide rate is officially declared “normal,” yet new “research” suggests conservatives have malformed brains;
- Which of the two major U.S. political parties has a far higher incidence of mental illness;
- Why Americans today are more stressed-out, confused, conflicted and addicted than at any time in the nation’s history – and where this ominous trend is leading.
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I don't know any premil, pretrip rapturists who believe that the church will escape persecution. It has happened since day one. All over the world Christians are killed by their governments for their faith. Sporadic killings by crazed killers is not persecution and being fined for not making a cake are not persecution.
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It definitely will not be easy. But those who are in Christ will stand up for God. It'd be even harder though if it was your own family turning against you, which the bible says will happen. And yes being fined for not making a cake IS persecution. Just because someone isn't getting their head cut off doesn't mean that people belittling and coming strongly against Christians isn't persecution. I'm tired of people saying that isn't persecution.
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Love our enemies
Do good to those who do evil to us
Don't render evil for evil
What else? -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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God bless. -
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I am pre-tribulation. If Noah escaped the tribulation(s) of his day why should believers of today be treated any differently? Lot escaped? Two men in the field? Two women grinding? The ten virgins? Keep watch as you know not the day or hour.
Would any earthly father stand by and watch his children live through a tribulation? So why would our heavenly father stand aside? Yes, I'm pre-tribulation. -
But that doesn't explain the millions of Christians suffering persecution today or Jesus' warnings that we are to expect persecution. Christians do suffer today. Just because America and most of Western Europe escape most of it doesn't mean it is not real.
As someone said above. Christians are going to suffer tribulation, but I believe we will miss the Great Tribulation.
And no, I am not going to fight over this. I see the value of other views. -
Where are the quotes of these people?
I could say, "I've known people who believe that Christ will never return to the earth for any reason whatsoever," but if I do not provide quotes from people actually saying that...it's a false argument.
So, for those who have known these people...how about a quote?
Secondly, anyone on this forum ever done so?
God bless. -
John 16:33
King James Version (KJV)
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
...and the Tribulation which is the specific period of time which is a seven year period, from which, we, as Pre-Tribulation believers, will be kept from.
Doesn't mean we won't ever face the tribulation that will arise in the Tribulation, but, it does mean we believe we will be raptured prior to that period.
God bless. -
I too am Pre-Trib, but I see no value in any view on any Doctrine that cannot be seen to be consistent. So your statement is curious to me.
And I'll have to check in later for our reply, as I have to get ready for work.
God bless. -
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And there is no reason why we can't have opposing views with our brethren, yet still discuss those issues in a civil manner. Really, if we have a confidence in the Doctrine we hold to that should, above all other things, help us maintain self control, which is not just a fruit of the Spirit, but an expectation of God in our lives.
And thanks, C4K, may your day be blessed as well.
God bless.
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