The Scourge Of Racism
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It is not supposed to happen in America. However, it has happened quite a bit in recent years and again this past week in a small Texas town where a gunman entered a church with a gun killing twenty-six and critically wounding others. While demonically instigated and hate-filled individuals just assume all that they seek to harm in a church are Christians, in secular settings such as Columbine in Colorado and Umpqua Community College here in Oregon, the assailants coldly asked some of those they would kill, “Are you a Christian?”1 Such targeting is the ultimate form of persecution and of course, martyrdom for the Christians that are slain for whose they are.
Professing American Christianity seems not to want to acknowledge that more and more in this still believed by many to be a “Christian nation” violent targeting of our numbers is occurring and intensifying. Once again for whatever all the reasons including the practice of Christianity the religion of men in all of its forms with various prosperity and escape doctrines, denial is easier. However, as the Lord led me to write in this edited 2010 Commentary, the foretold latter day persecution of Christians (Matthew 24:9) is a reality in many nations. It can no longer be out of mind here because of being out of sight. Hateful persecution of Christians is happening in America and the West too!
An obvious truth in all of this is that American and all other Christians are in fact, still on earth en masse while persecution and tribulation keeps rising. So, as we pray for the “Persecuted Church” on this special Sunday set aside for it, let the faithful realize though we yet have it relatively light here in America compared to our persecuted brethren in other lands, we are included among them. Let us also continue to pray for the surviving wounded and grieving families of the Texas church martyrs.
Originally Published November 2010
After recently reading an article on the current persecution of Chakma Christians by Buddhist extremists in Bangladesh, I was reminded that tribulation or suffering for Christ is quite the norm for many of His followers in many openly anti-Christian parts of the world. This month we remember persecuted Christians with prayer. I am also led by the Lord to again warn Western Christians our time to suffer in like manner is near. We do not want to hear this, of course, and have invented all manner of scenarios that will enable our escape as though fellow Christians in other parts of the world are somehow God's throwaways; people He does not care about as much as He does us.
While it is not my intent to engage in a end time prophecy debate, I do want to point out a reality to all parties planning on the escape of Western Christians from the "great tribulation" spoken of by our Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:15-22 and Mark 13:14-20. That reality is the tribulation our persecuted brethren now endure in several hostile nations is of the same nature as the "great tribulation." Powerful anti-Christ's now kidnap and/or arrest, imprison, torture, maim and kill our brethren as well as destroy their property if they will not renounce faith in Christ. The Chakma Christians in Bangladesh are not even allowed to buy or sell crops unless they openly display Buddhist loyalty.2
Bible students should instantly recognize the buying and selling issue as one that will emerge in the days of the Antichrist as foretold in Revelation 13:16-17. The government of the coming Antichrist will also violently persecute Christians as do the many national governments, terrorist and religious groups today. The only difference in what takes place now and the foretold "great tribulation" under the Antichrist is one of scope and duration; then it will be global and last intensely three and one-half years (Daniel 7:19-25; Revelation 13:1-10).
If God allows His people to experience tribulation past, present and in a foretold future, where do we Westerners get off thinking we have a special exemption from Him who shows no partiality (Acts 10:34-35)? I suspect this expectation of escape in part is tied to the sin bred arrogance of accomplishment Western nations have enjoyed over the past 500 years. Another reason surely grows out of a popular false teaching that God does not let His people suffer. But those of my racial heritage especially that are sons of slaves know better or else are we God’s throwaways too having experienced the severest forms of brutality even after professing faith in Christ?
The call to His people at this hour to become strong men and great women of God is very strategic and biblically consistent. Indeed, all trials and tribulations have the ultimate divine end of testing our faith (Deuteronomy 8:1-6; Psalm 11:4-6; Hebrews 12:1-11; James 1:2-3, 5:10-11; 1 Peter 1:3-9). Judging by the lack of biblical knowledge, spiritual maturity and outright rebellion continuously reported in Christian media, professing Western Christians are not as ready to endure violent tribulation for the faith as our brethren in other parts of the world are doing--though in fairness, the Chakma Christians of Bangladesh are struggling and urgently need our prayers.
The strong man of God in the image of Christ is empowered with His strength and equipped to persevere in faith under the most severe of trials (Ephesians 6:10-18; Revelation 12:11). For this reason Strong Man Ministries through the Strong Man Institute is pleased to be part of God's strategic work to instruct Christians from His Word on the life of the strong man of God. As well, I do the same on the printed page as the Lord leads in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics and its companion resource, The Strong Man Of God Men's Group Study pastors, men's ministry and other Christian leaders can use to equip those they serve.3
At this hour we must pray for and support our persecuted brethren in non-Western nations while we recognize the increase of and prepare more deliberately for our own tribulation (which is even now at the door) because none of God's sons are throwaways! For the record, the "great tribulation" is not God's wrath that He has promised to deliver Christians from (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). It is Satan's permitted final expression of wrath that comes before God justly pours out His upon unrepentant, reprobate sinners sold out to evil (compare Revelation 12:7-17 and 16:1-21).
1 Oregon Gunman Singled Out Christians During Rampage, October 1, 2015, New York Post.
2 Buddhist Extremists Continue to Persecute Christians, SBC Life, October/November 2010, p. 22. The article can be read online at SBC Life.
3 Learn more about the Strong Man Institute on our Web Site. My book and companion men's group study resource are available through all major internet booksellers
and in the Strong Man Store.
Restoration of the Kingdom of God on earth at Christ’s coming and victory at Jerusalem is only the initial roll out of the promised and long awaited “restoration of all things” the apostle Peter speaks of during his second sermon to fellow Jews after Pentecost (Acts 3:18-21, NKJV). As he attests, restoration of Israel as a sovereign nation and kingdom led by Christ, Son of David along with all creation is the prophetic future theme of the Old Testament (Isaiah 49:8-26; Amos 9:11-12; Acts 3:22-26); a theme the Lord Jesus never refutes, though, He redirects concern about the timing of fulfillment to the present Kingdom priority of restoring men (Matthew 17:11, 19:27-30; Acts 1:4-8).
The restoration cause of God in Christ has focused on man first as the object of His love, grace, mercy and plan for him to rule as His highest creature. The physical universe has held a secondary, subordinate priority place in the restoration work of God even though it came to be ahead of man (Genesis 1:1-26). This is because the heavens and earth exist for man and is his as a dominion. He is, therefore, preeminent in the creation! As a result, man’s fall into sin negatively affected and brought death to the creation (Genesis 3:17-19). But God sent Christ a second Adam to save the willing and restore man’s rule with the physical creation (Colossians 1:9-23; Hebrews 2:5-9).
Thus, restoration of willing mankind from this present age in Christ is completed first at His Second Coming (Romans 8:14-23; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57)! Then, beginning at Jerusalem He will restore the whole land of Israel (Joel 3:18; Zechariah 14:8). All the land will be purified by the burning of weapons and burial of all the world’s armies slain by the Lord in the war for the city and land; those not buried will have been eaten by birds and animals (Ezekiel 39:9-20; Revelation 19:17-21). As promised by God, Jerusalem, its Temple and the land will be restored with people, beauty, bounty, order and the divinely ordained borders (Isaiah 60:1-18, 61:4; Ezekiel 39:21-48:35; Zechariah 8:1-15).
In all the rest of the earth (not excepted by divine decree) new mountains and valleys will appear; salt and fresh waters along with their creatures will be regenerated. Deserts will bloom; the winds and rain will cleanse and restore the atmosphere. Seedlings and the green grass will sprout; birds, flying and other insects will again delight in their natural habitats to include forests with lush vegetation. Ecosystems will function in perfect order and balance in the Day of the Lord and the earth yield her abundant crops in season (Isaiah 35; Joel 2:18-27). The darkened heavens will be uncovered and once more declare God’s glory (Isaiah 13:9-10; Ezekiel 32:7-8; Malachi 4:1-3)!
The Lord as King will uphold His Word and judge among the nations that survive God’s wrath and His coming (Zephaniah 2:4-10; Matthew 25:31-46). There will be no other gods or religions since all demons are on lockdown. The Lord alone will be worshipped (Psalm 22:27-29, 86:9-10; Zephaniah 2:11; Revelation 15:3-4, 20:1-3)! All of the Lord’s spiritual, moral and ethical instruction along with law and order informed by His Ten Commandments will be restored. Mortal life expectancy will be restored for the obedient; premature decay will show in the sinner’s body (Isaiah 65:20-22). Justice will not be delayed and judgment of the rebel wicked occurs quickly (Malachi 3:5).
Hallelujah! This day of rebellion against God is shortly coming to its end! For the Day of the Lord will also restore His design, order and purposes of mortal mankind! There will be no more male and female confusion. Marriage until death between a man as head and his female wife will be restored as the Lord instituted in Eden. Married fathers will act responsibly. The sanctity of life will be upheld and mothers will no longer murder their unborn. Indeed, all women will desire and submit to the Lord’s purpose and blessing for them to bear children in abundance (Isaiah 65:23; Jeremiah 30:18-20; Ezekiel 36:37). Respect for and submission of children to their parents will be restored and families will prosper under the Lord’s reign (Isaiah 51:3; Amos 9:13-15; Micah 4:4).1
Professed Christians and their churches across the earth are now supposed to be faithfully upholding the will, way and Word of God as it is written; the restored Kingdom reality under Christ in that Day very near. But because many are false, love or fear this present world governed by Satan more than the Lord, they are “falling away” from Him and the truth as foretold (2 Thessalonians 2:3a, NKJV)! In joyfully declaring and longing for Christ’s restoration of all things, I am not angry with or hating anyone. However, I declare what is certain concerning the reign of the Lord in accord with His eternal Word (Psalm 111:7-8, 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33)! The risen, living Christ continues His cry among American churches, “Who is on the Lord's side?”
1 Truly, the Lord’s restoration in that Day will vindicate everything I was led by Him to write in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics concerning what a man is and does! Since it is all like that, I urge you to get your copy now in the Strong Man Store to know what is bound up in the Lord’s will to restore men and their families.
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