persecution

The Scroll of History (5th Seal)

/ Charles Cooley / Leave a comment

persecutionaug162016The next seal to be opened is the one of persecution.

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” – Rev. 6:9-11

The Bible warns Christians to expect persecution but it never says we should accept it – God doesn’t, and all those who persecute will be severely judged by God.

“He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” – Rev. 13:9 Continue reading →

Persecution Continues to Rise

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christian martyredJesus warned that Christian persecution would increase toward the end, and it certainly has. Open Doors publishes its World Watch List of persecution of the Church and it states “Every month –

  • 255 Christians are killed
  • 104 are abducted
  • 180 Christian women are raped, sexually harassed or forced into marriage
  • 66 churches are attacked
  • 160 Christians are detained without trial and imprisoned”

Continue reading →

The Rise in Christian Persecution

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Jesus warned of persecution that would come as the end nears.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” – Matt. 24:9-13 Continue reading →

Lessons from Smyrna

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THE-GREAT-WHITE-THRONE-JUDGMENT

Remember, we will all face God’s Judgment

As we proceed through Jesus’ letters to the seven churches we come to the second church which is often known as the suffering church – Smyrna. Jesus wants to prepare His Church for facing persecution. That is what this letter is about because Jesus knows that all who will live godly will suffer persecution and we must be strong enough to go through it. We will begin with a video on the church of Smyrna.

One of the phrases used in this letter is “I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan”. Jesus dealt with this problem often during His ministry. Continue reading →

The Suffering Church

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As we proceed through Jesus’ letters to the seven churches we come to the second church which is often known as the suffering church – Smyrna. Jesus wants to prepare His Church for facing persecution. In Korea, American POW’s had an increased number of defections and the military discovered it was because the soldiers had not been adequately trained in how to face capture and torture. When I went into the service in the late 50’s, I went through many classes on how to resist enemy intimidation and captivity. That is what this letter is about because Jesus knows that all who will live godly will suffer persecution and we must be strong enough to go through it. We will begin with a video on the church of Smyrna. Continue reading →

To the Seven Churches-Pergamum

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asclepius“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” – Revelation 2:12-17 Continue reading →

26 Signs of the Lord’s Soon Return – part 4

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president betrays Israel

Obama Threatens to Allow a Palestinian State

 15. The possession of Jerusalem would be at the center of international turmoil. Israel has claimed it as their eternal capitol. Arabs claim it as the capitol of a new Palestinian state. The United Nations has censured Israel and favored Palestinian claims so many times that I’ve lost count. The United States has usually been the only nation with veto privilege in the UN Security Council to block these attempts. But now, President Barack Obama, a Muslim sympathizer, has signaled he may not veto this latest attempt to divide Jerusalem. Continue reading →