Being Prepared For Persecution

I know that no one likes the thought of persecution, but we all need to be prepared for it so when it comes we will all be ready.  There are believers all around the world that are suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ; many have given their lives gladly for their Lord.  I pray for my brothers and sisters quite often and I believe that every believer should be praying for all their brethren that live in countries where persecution often takes place.  Even in the United States persecution is taking place more every day as our rights are being taken away more and more as times goes on.

Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

Many of us are not used to being persecuted but we need to be prepared for what is coming.  Jesus warned us ahead of time what would take place in the latter days of the end times and I can’t believe that any true believer cannot discern the signs and the times we are in.  I am not an end time scholar but I have trusted the Lord to teach me about it and to give me the discernment I need, to know that it is close at hand.  I have read what it says about it in all the books of the Bible that speak about it and I have heard teachers teach on it and preachers preach on it over the years, I don’t know if they were all correct, but I do believe that some were; either way I think being ready is the important thing.

In Matthew 10 Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the gospel to the lost Jewish people saying the Kingdom of heaven is at hand, He also gave them power to heal the sick, cleanse the Lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils.  Jesus told them what to do, what to expect and how to respond.  He also warned them about persecution in verses 16-31 all the way down to verse 42.  For this Tidbit I will be looking at verses 16-31 that say this, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

These men would be under attack from their own countrymen, the scribes, Pharisees and teachers of the law, and these people would be to them like wolves among sheep.  The disciples would have to put their total trust in their Savior and Lord.  These disciples also faced persecution from family members and friends as well as the government and the court as time went on check out Acts 5:40, and Acts 12:1-3.

Following the Lord not only results in persecution at times but provides a good opportunity to share your testimony and to share the good news of the gospel.  Just like these disciples, we can be sure that the Lord will be with us and give us the boldness to speak and the words to say.  This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be preparing ourselves.  The Holy Spirit will prepare us at times with certain words, but we need to be doing our part; praying, studying the Word and trusting the Lord to give us the boldness to speak and not shrink back being ashamed of the Lord and His Word.  Enduring to the end shows that you have a genuine faith and the reward will be unexplainable, but totally amazing, praise the Lord!  Those that are prepared and ready for the Lord’s return, realizing how much the Lord loves them, will even be able to rejoice like Jesus said in Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

I hope this Tidbit will help you, and even encourage you, to get your house in order, knowing the Lord will be coming back, maybe sooner than you think, and a wave of persecution may be right around the corner, so to speak.  Something to think about and have a great day and may the good Lord bless you and yours!!