2 Tim 3:12
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (KJV)
My goal for this page is to open your eyes and prepare you for real persecution. What is persecution? Is it when anyone opposes Christian agenda's or beliefs? When we are told that we can't pray or read our Bible? When Christian programing is being threatened of removal from tv & radio? I find it strange that Christian's in the United States think that it's outrageous to be persecuted for their faith. What a sheltered life many of us in the States live. Herein we shall see what persecution is.
Rom 8:36
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (KJV)
Here is a true a story about our dear Sister Blandina.
(Foxe's Book of Martyrs p.18)
Blandina, a Christian lady of a weak constitution who was not thought to be able to resist torture, but whose fortitude was so great that her tormentors became exhausted with their devilish work, was afterward taken into an amphitheater with three others, suspended on a piece of wood stuck in the ground, and exposed as food for wild lions. While awaiting her suffering, she prayed earnestly for her companions and encouraged them. But none of the lions would touch her, so she was put back into prison--this happened twice. The last time she was brought out, she was accompanied by 15-year old Ponticus. The steadfastness of their faith so enraged the multitude that neither her sex nor his youth were respected, and they were subjected to the severest punishments and tortures. Blandina was torn by the lions, scourged, put into a net and tossed about by a wild bull, and placed naked into a red-hot metal chair. When she could speak, she exhorted all near her to hold fast to their faith. When Blandina's torturers were unable to make her recant her faith, they killed her with a sword.
God Bless You Blandina!
Mt 5:11-12
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (KJV)
How about our brother Julian.
(Foxe's Book of the Martyrs p.22)
Julian, a Cilician, was arrested for being a Christian, put into a leather bag with several snakes and scorpions, and then thrown into the sea.
God Bless You Julian!
1 P 3:17
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that for well doing, than for evil doing.(KJV)
Let's not forget brother Quintin. (Foxe's Book of the Martyr's p. 29)
He was arrested and condemned to die for being a Christian. For his death agonies, ropes were tied to his arms and legs and he was stretched with pulleys until his joints dislocated, then he was scourged with a wire whip, had boiling oil and pitch pured on his naked body, and had fire applied to his sides and armpits. After these tortures, he was put back into prison where he soon died from his wounds.
God Bless You Quintin!
2 Tim 1:12
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (KJV)
Meet our brother Romanus.
(Foxe's Book of the Martyr's p. 34)
Romanus was deacon of the church in Caesarea. There arrested, he was taken to Antioch where he was condemned for his faith, scourged, racked, torn with hooks, cut with knives in his body and face, his teeth beaten out, his hair plucked from his head, and then strangled to death.
God Bless You Romanus!
Php 1:29
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (KJV)
Are we getting a good idea of what persecution is yet? Let's take another look into scripture.
Lk 21:12-17
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. (KJV)
Heb 11:35-38
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (KJV)
What about the Apostles? Were they persecuted? For an example, look to brother Paul.
2 Cor 11:23-27
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (KJV)
How did he die? He was taken to the execution block and beheaded.
(Foxe's Book of the Martyr's p. 8)
Trust the Word of our Lord, for persecution will come. Be prepared, for real persecution is coming to the United States. Are you ready? Many have and will fall away from the faith for fear of persecution. Through the Grace of God I hope that we are. Take heed, and beware, for you may soon be labeled as "The Persecuted". Here is what some of our fellow laborers have said. (Foxe's Book of the Martyr's p. 329)
I saw the wife of a Christian martyr, who left many children behind. She looked amazingly young, although she had grown-up-children. I asked her for an explanation. She answered, "Suffering has renewed my youth." Another Christian told me, "We would like an easing of our conditions, but not full ceasing of the oppression. We fear that liberty would make us lose the burning love (of Christ)." Another one said, "We, when we think of the cloud of witnesses in the spiritual skies, are happy that the part of sky which is the most cloudy is over the Communist countries. We are happy to give the greatest number of martyrs." Still another said, "We were always taught that to be a Christian you had to suffer."
Heb 11:25-26
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (KJV)
John 15:18-20
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (KJV)
1 P 4:1-2
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (KJV)
1 P 4:12-14
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (KJV)
Acts 14:22
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Psalms 116:15
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (KJV)
1 Cor 2:9
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (KJV)
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