Today in America, followers of Jesus are coming under fire for our beliefs as well as throughout the world. This however is not a new phenomenon. In the face of all things, today, just as has been done by Christ followers before us, we must remain “People of The Promise”. Unfortunately there have been times in our history as Christians where we have persecuted others. Again….we must always strive to be “People of The Promise”.
Mark 13:12 (TNIV)
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
This is often seen as one of the most troubling things that Jesus says! And I can see how it could be……if taken out of the context of the time He said it.
Here, Jesus warns the disciples about the coming days IN THEIR LIVES, as well as all of us that follow Christ that there might be rough times ahead. In His day, as the disciples followed Christ and proclaimed His name…….indeed, in following Jesus, very often, family and friends betrayed you. It WAS exactly as Jesus said.
It is hard for us to imagine now because most of us have not lived in a society of religious persecution to the point of death. We feel persecuted because they want to take prayer out of schools……….imagine in the days after Jesus, in the disciples lifetime for a few hundred years afterward where living as a follower of Jesus (a Christian) meant being shunned and persecuted by most of society…… and yes…..often by your own family, and often persecution to the point of death. Indeed, the fear of being put to death for one’s faith in Jesus often would pit family member against family member.
According to Christianity Today: RIGHT NOW, in 2012, in North Korea, practicing Christianity is banned in the closed-off communist country and anyone caught with a Bible faces torture, imprisonment and possibly death.
Political rhetoric has turned increasingly against Christians in Iran, where the Christian faith is regarded as a threat to the Islamic revolution. Christians have been arrested, beaten, imprisoned and killed for their faith there. Other forms of harassment include expelling Christians from jobs and universities, phone tapping and using relatives to spy on them.
Christians are coming under increasing physical and/or governmental attack in China, Nigeria (where dozens have been killed in Christmas Day church attacks), India, Sri Lanka, and more.
Christianity was founded on persecution and martyrdom…starting with Jesus and gaining momentum for over 300 years until Constantine legalized Christianity…and then it changed….sadly to Christians persecuting those THEY didn’t agree with…heretics.
Tertullian, the prolific early Christian author from the 2nd century said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
As followers of Jesus, we have to face the possibility of true persecution and possible even death. Jesus warned us so, and it has been so even up and to today. However, Jesus promised us two things to keep us steady and to give us strength and comfort:
1. As we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, WE HAVE the Holy Spirit, indeed, His spirit, the spirit of God…….as our companion, comforter right here and no, no matter what should happen….as was PROMISED in
2. We live by the PROMISE of an eternal life with the Father, with Jesus, among a wonderful crowd of friends. This will be a day that cannot compare to what we experience on this earth. Yes, it will be on this earth after Jesus does come again, for God will create a New heaven and a New restored earth, one in which:
Revelation 21:4 (TNIV)
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”Ephesians 1:13 (TNIV)
……. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy SpiritJohn 14: 25-27 25 (TNIV)
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.