Musing – What Can We Do About the Inevitable Persecution?

Hebraic Musing – What Can We Do About the Inevitable Persecution?

I would rather expect and be ready for hardships and persecution than to be caught by surprise.  Jesus warned us that persecution is inevitable.  If you’re not being persecuted, maybe your Christian faith is not showing! 

Joel Richardson’s “The Islamic Anti-Christ”* provides enlightening descriptions of the Islamic religion that us non-Muslims might not be aware of.  Study to understand the impending challenge; Jesus warned us “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”  Mark 13:33 

Here is a quick sampling of perspectives relevant to the Islam religion which will likely become a key role in the “End Times.”  Later we will look at some critical “Action Steps.” 

·      We are not fully aware of the degree to which the future of the Christian church, indeed, the future of the entire world and the future of Islam are divinely and directly interconnected?

·      The 2009 book was written nine years ago, and in it he claimed that Islam will bypass Christianity and become the world’ s largest religion in less than 20 years.  Their higher birth rate is a big reason.

·      Muslims wrestle with the question of why Allah has allowed Islam to remain an inferior presence on the earth compared with Christianity.  Will the day come when Christians too will have to wrestle with the question as to why our God allowed Islam to bypass Christianity in terms of both growth and influence?

·      End Times eschatology played a prominent role in the early church; today belief in the “last days” has become optional and/or ignored.  Not so with Muslims’ beliefs; they are counting on “last days” events.

·      Central to Islamic faith is the Mahdi who is a future Muslim world leader who will not only rule over the Islamic world, but the whole non-Muslim world as well.  And many of their teachings say that the Mahdi will reign for seven years. (Interesting number!?)

·      Here are some of the 21 characteristics of the Mahdi who 1.5 billion Muslims eagerly await: *(p.31-32)
1. He is Islam’s primary messianic figure.  2. He will be a descendent of Mohammed and bear Mohammed‘s name.  3. He will be a very devout Muslim.  4. He will be an unparalleled spiritual, political and military world leader.  5. He will emerge after a period of time to create turmoil and suffering upon the earth. …....
11. He will make a seven year peace treaty with a Jew of priestly lineage.  ......   15. He will cause Islam to be the only religion practiced here on earth.    …..21.  He will be loved by all people of the earth.

·      Beheading is the prescribed means of executing Christians, those who refuse to convert. (Read the news!)

·      There are many more parallels between the Bible and the Qur’an’s description of “End Time” events.

This description of the Islam religion is not exhaustive but provided so we recognize that a tipping point is approaching.  And the two religions, Christianity and Islam, cannot co-exist; thus persecution of Christians appears to be inevitable.  Our Bible and the words of Jesus have much to say about the persecution we should expect.  (Relevant references are provided after this musing.) 

So, how to be prepared?  What are our “Action Steps”?

1.      Some people get saved and recognize the need for Jesus from “Hell-fire” messages.

2.      WWJD – Like Jesus, let’s talk about and preach warnings about the expectation of “End-times.”

3.      God put eschatology throughout the Bible, and “Whatever Daddy says must be important.”

4.      The inevitability of “End Times” events is too important to ignore!

5.      We may well live to see these events.  Will “Pre-Trib” believers be able to handle the surprise?

6.      Gain understanding and prepare your hearts.  Draw near to Him and Pray for strength!  

7.      We are commanded to always be alert.  Too many references to list!

8.      Prepare yourself for a prophetic office in the Church; a ministry highly overlooked.

Points to ponder

What events are in the headlines of Mid-Eastern countries like Israel?

Are you ready to deal with the consequences of being outnumbered by Muslims?
The song ♫ Are you ready, are you ready… ♫  takes on fresh significance!

Let’s “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Rom. 12:14        

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          December 18, 2018  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Excerpts & quotes from “The Islamic Antichrist” 2009/2014 by Joel Richardson  (worthwhile insights into Islam)

Headlines in Israel News

CHRISTIANS FACE ‘IMMINENT EXTINCTION’ IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY WARNS: … followers of the faith were subject to the “daily threat of murder” and the situation was the worst “since the Mongol invasions of the 13th century”. Figures suggest that just one in 400 Syrian refugees given asylum in the UK last year was a Christian.

IRAN ARRESTS OVER 100 CHRISTIANS IN CRACKDOWN ON CONVERSIONS: Iranian authorities have over the past few days reportedly arrested more than 100 Christians, as the regime seeks to crack down on conversions and what it construes as preaching by evangelicals.

Source - Barry & Batya Segal <news@visionforisrael.com>

Relevant verses speaking of the persecution we should expect.  (all NIV)

Fear not for I am with you.  Revelation 2:10   “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  

Hebrews 10:32-34    “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.  Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.  You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.”  

Romans 8:35-36   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written:  "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 

Jesus warned us about seed in rocky places in His parable of the sower – Matthew 13:21 and in Mark 4:17-18  “But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”  

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount – Matt 5:11-12   "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  

When He warned us about the “End Times” He said -- "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you.”  Luke 21:12

And perhaps the most relevant – John 15:20  “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”