V
Whether you believe it or not, the obvious decision of this current administration in the U.S. portends the coming persecution of American Christians, in the same fashion that Christians around the world who are much closer to their faith and adamant about upholding it are being arrested, tortured, and killed for their faith. Consider how the Micronesian Christians have been slain for their faith for the last decade. Boko Haram has killed Christians by the thousands in Nigeria. We have not had to face this kind of persecution. But it is coming, and soon.
To this point, we haven't been persecuted, just annoyed. Obama's administration has passed laws, as have states, counties, and municipalities, that restrict our ability to practice our faith freely. These are direct violations of the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of religion, but it has made no difference in the ability of governments to pass such legislation, and enforce it. But now, his administration has abandoned Israel in favor of Islamic terrorists.
There are many on this board who will disagree with the statement I'm about to make, but I respectfully ask that you not turn this thread into a debate over dispensationalism vs. covenant, or "replacement" theologies. Please, do not do so. Restrict you comments to persecution coming to America, and what we should do when it does.
With the abandonment of Israel, our nation has removed itself from the protective hand of God that has been upon the United States as a result of our friendship with Israel, and will now be subject to His wrath, just as the rest of the world will soon be. Whether the world -- or some Christians -- like it or not, God gave that land to Israel, and much more than they've ever actually held. We have, since the recreation of Israel as a nation in 1948, defended Israel's right to exist. Now, for the first time in our history, a spokesperson for State has sidestepped the issue of whether we still hold to the premise of Israel's legitimacy.
With that reversal of foreign policy, God's hand will be removed from us as a nation, and those within our own nation who have been restrained by the Holy Spirit will now unleash their hatred of Christ, and the God of the Bible, on all of us who follow Them. We will see persecution as we have never imagined to which we could be subject.
The only thing I disagree with Graham about is that this country, as a country, has no hope anyway. The only ones who have hope are those of us found in Christ Jesus. But this will not prevent us from being persecuted, arrested, beaten, exiled, even killed. The apostle Paul promised it.
When persecution comes, as it will, we will face a choice, which shouldn't for the true Christian be any choice at all: Abandon Christ, or face the consequences of holding fast to our faith. And Jesus has told us what we must do.
Prepare yourself. Jesus would tell us to "gird our loins." Be ready. It is coming. What will you do?
To this point, we haven't been persecuted, just annoyed. Obama's administration has passed laws, as have states, counties, and municipalities, that restrict our ability to practice our faith freely. These are direct violations of the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of religion, but it has made no difference in the ability of governments to pass such legislation, and enforce it. But now, his administration has abandoned Israel in favor of Islamic terrorists.
There are many on this board who will disagree with the statement I'm about to make, but I respectfully ask that you not turn this thread into a debate over dispensationalism vs. covenant, or "replacement" theologies. Please, do not do so. Restrict you comments to persecution coming to America, and what we should do when it does.
With the abandonment of Israel, our nation has removed itself from the protective hand of God that has been upon the United States as a result of our friendship with Israel, and will now be subject to His wrath, just as the rest of the world will soon be. Whether the world -- or some Christians -- like it or not, God gave that land to Israel, and much more than they've ever actually held. We have, since the recreation of Israel as a nation in 1948, defended Israel's right to exist. Now, for the first time in our history, a spokesperson for State has sidestepped the issue of whether we still hold to the premise of Israel's legitimacy.
With that reversal of foreign policy, God's hand will be removed from us as a nation, and those within our own nation who have been restrained by the Holy Spirit will now unleash their hatred of Christ, and the God of the Bible, on all of us who follow Them. We will see persecution as we have never imagined to which we could be subject.
Franklin Graham Warns Christians in America 'Persecution Is Coming'
"I believe we're going to see persecution in this country," Graham said during an interview on "Fox and Friends Weekend" on [March 8, 2015]. "We've already seen many laws that have been passed that restrict our freedom as Christians. I believe it's going to get worse, and we see no question gaining influence in Washington by those that represent the Islamic faith. We do have a problem in this country and we are losing our religious freedom and we're losing it a little bit day by day."
He has been outspoken in his critique of Obama's leadership and that of nearly everyone in Washington, especially when it comes to the battle against ISIS. Graham also encouraged Christians to get involved in politics and run for office in order to do God's will.
"Who says we can't be in politics?" he asked in January at the Oklahoma State Evangelism Conference. "The gays and lesbians are in politics, I can tell you that. All the anti-God people are in politics. They're there. Why shouldn't the church be there? Who says we can't speak up? Who says our voice can' be heard? Get involved. I'm here to tell you that the only way, the only hope is not a Republican, it's not a Democrat or whoever. The only hope is that this country repents of its sins and turns once again to the God of our fathers and to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ — otherwise, there is no hope."
"I believe we're going to see persecution in this country," Graham said during an interview on "Fox and Friends Weekend" on [March 8, 2015]. "We've already seen many laws that have been passed that restrict our freedom as Christians. I believe it's going to get worse, and we see no question gaining influence in Washington by those that represent the Islamic faith. We do have a problem in this country and we are losing our religious freedom and we're losing it a little bit day by day."
He has been outspoken in his critique of Obama's leadership and that of nearly everyone in Washington, especially when it comes to the battle against ISIS. Graham also encouraged Christians to get involved in politics and run for office in order to do God's will.
"Who says we can't be in politics?" he asked in January at the Oklahoma State Evangelism Conference. "The gays and lesbians are in politics, I can tell you that. All the anti-God people are in politics. They're there. Why shouldn't the church be there? Who says we can't speak up? Who says our voice can' be heard? Get involved. I'm here to tell you that the only way, the only hope is not a Republican, it's not a Democrat or whoever. The only hope is that this country repents of its sins and turns once again to the God of our fathers and to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ — otherwise, there is no hope."
2 Timothy 3, NASB
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
When persecution comes, as it will, we will face a choice, which shouldn't for the true Christian be any choice at all: Abandon Christ, or face the consequences of holding fast to our faith. And Jesus has told us what we must do.
Matthew 5
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Prepare yourself. Jesus would tell us to "gird our loins." Be ready. It is coming. What will you do?
Last edited: