CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION IN OUR DAYS

Christian persecution

The Bible clearly teaches that society will degenerate in the end times, becoming as evil as it was in the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37-39). The Apostle Paul, speaking as a prophet, says that society will descend into a black pit of immorality, violence, and paganism (2 Tim. 3:1-5). He asserts that men will be "lovers of self, lovers of money," and "lovers of pleasure." People will be "boastful, arrogant," and "unholy," and children will be "disobedient to parents."

 Sounds like the evening news, doesn’t it? In short, we have arrived.

Signs of Coming Persecution

We should be deeply concerned over these developments, not only because we are witnessing the destruction of our beloved Country, but because both Jesus and Paul prophesied that when these things occur, the church will come under attack and Christians will be persecuted.

Jesus said that as lawlessness increases, "most people’s love will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12). He stated that many professing Christians will "fall away" and will proceed to cooperate in the persecution of their former brothers and sisters in Christ (Matt. 24:10). Paul indicates the same thing when he says that people will be "haters of good" and that they will therefore be "brutal" and "reckless," reviling those who stand for righteousness (2 Tim. 3:2-5).

 We are watching these prophecies come true today before our very eyes, both here in Nigeria and around the world. As our culture has secularized and paganized, Christianity, the church and Christians have come under increasing attack as "intolerant bigots." The attacks are going to intensify, and it will become increasingly difficult for Christians to stand for righteousness. Jobs will be lost. Careers will be destroyed. Christians will even be sent to prison for speaking out against evils like homosexuality, gay marriage, because such pronouncements will be labeled as "hate crimes."

What then are those of us who love Jesus to do as we face a rising wave of ridicule, harassment, and persecution for our faith? How shall we live for Christ in the end times? Let me suggest a few guidelines.Watch-out for the second edition of this publication