As we seek to understand the scriptural teaching on persecution, it is important to understand, first of all, that the New Testament is not overly concerned to answer the question of suffering in general-that is, suffering as a consequence of living in a fallen world.
Thanks for bringing light to the topic of Christian suffering. It's central to our faith, but you wouldn't know it from listening to 99% of Western preachers and teachers. Here are three verses (out of many) that support your article.
1. Hebrews 11:35 says, "Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection." This is completely opposite of attitudes today.
2. Revelation 20:4 teaches the first resurrection is limited to those who are "beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God." Compare this to the popular modern rapture doctrine that applies 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to all believers.
3. Revelation 6:11 tells us God has a certain number of holy martyrs that must be killed before God judges and destroys the Devil's rebellious world system. According to Revelation 12:9-11, it's the faithful witness (martyrdom) of sanctified Christians that enables God to cast the Devil and his angels down from heaven.
Thank you for sharing that! I really like to meditate on how Jesus explained it and lived it and set us the example through his own life & to follow in His footsteps closely.
Philippians 1:12-14 NLT: "And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear."
Dear Hephzibah,
Thank you for boldly speaking the truth without compromise. I pray for you to continue standing strong and being faithful to His call to proclaim the Gospel.
1 Peter 4:12-14 NLT
"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you."
Thank you again brother James for your continual edification! You are such a lovely blessing and I thank Heavenly father for you! It is indeed my prayer for you too and all the assembly of our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who form his body of Ekklesia. 🪔💌
Thank you brother Robert. We certainly need to be ever closer & in holy intimacy of communion in communication with our Heavenly father as the sole object of our faith as everything comes from Him. He is the source of all strength power ability & faithfulness, really learning to hear, listening and be finely attuned to His voice and responding through obeying the leadings by His spirit even in the small things. The one whom is faithful or obedient in little will be faithful in much.
Hephzibah,
Thanks for bringing light to the topic of Christian suffering. It's central to our faith, but you wouldn't know it from listening to 99% of Western preachers and teachers. Here are three verses (out of many) that support your article.
1. Hebrews 11:35 says, "Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection." This is completely opposite of attitudes today.
2. Revelation 20:4 teaches the first resurrection is limited to those who are "beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God." Compare this to the popular modern rapture doctrine that applies 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to all believers.
3. Revelation 6:11 tells us God has a certain number of holy martyrs that must be killed before God judges and destroys the Devil's rebellious world system. According to Revelation 12:9-11, it's the faithful witness (martyrdom) of sanctified Christians that enables God to cast the Devil and his angels down from heaven.
Amen thank you.
Yes, ‘He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father, except through Him.’ 1 Cor 14:6
As you know, and hopefully all others
will come to know.
What does the Bible mean by
“dying to self?” @ GotQuestions.org
Thank you for sharing that! I really like to meditate on how Jesus explained it and lived it and set us the example through his own life & to follow in His footsteps closely.
"Boldly speak God's message without fear."
Philippians 1:12-14 NLT: "And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear."
Dear Hephzibah,
Thank you for boldly speaking the truth without compromise. I pray for you to continue standing strong and being faithful to His call to proclaim the Gospel.
1 Peter 4:12-14 NLT
"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you."
GOD bless you all!
MIQEDEM - Psalm 23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWM8gSSnz_8
Thank you again brother James for your continual edification! You are such a lovely blessing and I thank Heavenly father for you! It is indeed my prayer for you too and all the assembly of our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who form his body of Ekklesia. 🪔💌
we certainly have it easy in the West, but that is changing
Thank you brother Robert. We certainly need to be ever closer & in holy intimacy of communion in communication with our Heavenly father as the sole object of our faith as everything comes from Him. He is the source of all strength power ability & faithfulness, really learning to hear, listening and be finely attuned to His voice and responding through obeying the leadings by His spirit even in the small things. The one whom is faithful or obedient in little will be faithful in much.