watching South Korean videos (pornography) or possessing a Bible. These 80 people
were riddled with machine gun fire while spectators were forced to watch, including
children. Family members of those killed have been sent to prison camps.
We here in the western world find this hard to comprehend, we know its happening,
but we've never experienced persecution for our faith like this. But it's coming.
All through the ages Satan has tried to stamp out the true believer, has tried to rid
the world of the Word of God...he's never succeeded, never will, but it doesn't stop
him from trying.
Throughout the Bible we find believers persecuted and killed for their faith. Daniel,
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, David, Samson, Paul, Stephen, all the disciples.
History throughout the middle ages is stained with the blood of those persecuted and
killed for the Lord. The second world war saw the horrendous persecution of God's
chosen people. But the Jews are still here, believers are still here and the Word of
God is still here.
2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution."
Persecution weeds out the fakes. You are not going to surrender to persecution or
lay down your life for something that isn't real to you. I believe that we Christians,
here in a land of freedom, don't know what real persecution is. We don't know what
its like to have to hide the Word of God, to worship in secret. Our brothers and
sisters in Christ who are forced into such isolation have a depth of faith that I don't
believe we possess. Now, I know some of you reading are going to disagree with
me, and that's fine...this is my opinion. I do pray however, that when the day comes
when we are forced to take such a stand for Christ, that I will be found worthy of my
precious Lord and Savior. God provides the strength for His children according
to the degree it is needed. My heart goes out to my dear brothers and sisters in North
Korea who are being persecuted. And its not only there, but wide spread throughout
Asia and the East.
We read in Acts chapter 7 of Stephen.
Acts 7:55 - 60 "But he (Stephen) being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly
into heaven, and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of
God, and said, Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on
the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their
ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned
him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name
was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit. and he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not
this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
We have this account of Stephen, the first martyr of the New Testament church. But
what I want you to take note of, is of whom was watching Stephen that day...Jesus. He
was there waiting to receive Stephen home. The martyr's all through the ages have had
the presence of their Savior by their side as they faced lions, sword, fire, stones, the racks
and whatever other evil method of torture and death could be thought of. As they looked
into the face of certain death, their precious Savior was standing by, ready to take their
hand and lead them into eternity and welcome them home.
John 15:18, 20b "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it
hated you...If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecuted you;"
Jesus was tortured until He was unrecognizable. He was spit on, hit and buffeted by
the angry mocking crowds. He was laughed and jeered at. He was forced to carry a
heavy old wooden cross on a back that had been whipped into a shredded mass of
bleeding torn flesh. He had a crown of huge thorns shoved savagely down into His
precious head. Roman nails were pounded through His hands and feet, and He was
hung in shame, naked, to die in agony, alone and forsaken on a cross which was meant
for us.
Luke 22:19b "This is My body which is given for you:"
Saying that we are Christians is not something to be lightly spoken. To be a Christian
means that we are identifying with Christ, and someday that might cost us our family,
friends, jobs, freedom and maybe even our lives. Can we say as did Paul in Romans
1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
Persecution will show if you are ashamed of Christ, if you are a real Christian. If you
crumble under the light persecution we experience here in our land today, what will
you do when it increases tomorrow?
2 Corinthians 4:8 - 11 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are
perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not
destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the
life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always
delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made
manifest in our mortal flesh."
New Testament believers knew what it really meant to live for the Lord Jesus Christ.
They knew that when they were troubled, perplexed, persecuted and cast down, it was
so that the Lord Jesus might be manifested in their bodies. They knew that to live was
Christ and to die was gain (Philippians 2:21).
Are you ready for the future, no matter what it entails? Will you determine today that
no matter what, you will live for the Lord. Remember, you do not stand alone, Jesus
is right beside you to give the strength, courage and power as needed. And God will
avenge the death of His saints.
Revelation 6:9 - 11 "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
the souls of them that were 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, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
And white robes were given unto every one of them, that they should rest yet for
a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be
killed as they were, should be fulfilled."
Hebrews 11:38 talks about these Christians, "Of whom the world was not worthy."
Their spilt blood will one day be avenged by Almighty God. The blood of our brothers
and sisters that was shed on the 3rd in North Korea will be avenged by God one day.
Always remember that our faith was bought with the blood of Jesus Christ, and it has
been defended with the blood of the Saints though the ages. The last days are upon us,
persecution will increase, but don't lose courage, our Hope cometh!
Revelation 22:12 - 14 "And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me,
to give every man according as his work shall be. I am the Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His
commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in
through the gates into the city."
Am I a soldier of the cross?
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize
And sailed thru bloody seas.
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Isaac Watts
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