A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


August 30, 2012

American Christians Suffer Under False Sense of Security

     I am a Bible-believing Christian, which means I accept every word of the Bible as God's revelation to those who trust in Him.  I am not a "feel good" Christian who is inclined to pick and choose among the verses of Scripture, and view the world only through the lens of God's love.  I accept ALL of His Word, which warns us of coming persecution.  In Matthew, Jesus plainly tells us that we "will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me."  For those of you who doubt, whether you are a believer or non-believer, or question the veracity of this Scripture, all you have to do is read the headlines of the day:

                                                                                 Thai Christians Jailed For Bible Study
     A British-based advocacy group, called Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), stated that while there were no official charges brought against four men involved in a Bible study, their six-week arrest and detention appears to be "part of a pattern of religious repression that continues to occur in many parts of the country."

Syrian Christians Targeted By Islamist Rebels Amid Massive Exodus
     Religious minority groups, and particularly Christians, have become the primary target of rebel terror groups that execute in "the name of Allah".  International Christian Concern, a major advocacy group for the persecuted Christians caught in the middle of the Syrian civil war, has expressed grave warnings about the position of Christians in this war-torn country:  "Islamic extremism is on the rise in a civil war that is taking on increasingly stronger sectarian overtones," ICC said.  Thousands of Christians are fleeing the country, seeking safe haven in neighboring Turkey. (Although I question whether Christians will be any more welcome there).

Pakistan Christian Homes Torched, Churches Attacked After Jailing Girl
     From Islamabad, Pakistan, comes this news story:  "Muslims torched Christian homes and "destroyed" a church in a slum area of Islamabad while suspected militants shot at another church outside Pakistan's capital, after the jailing of a mentally handicapped Christian girl for "blasphemy", witnesses said Tuesday, August 21."  The 11-year-old girl, who cannot read, is accused of blasphemy for burning a copy of the Koran.  The girl is now being held in a Pakistani jail, and Muslim clerics are demanding that she face charges under the countries strict blasphemy laws.  Meanwhile, thousands of Christian have fled the area, as the burning of their homes and churches continues.

Muslim Group Demands Country's Christian President Convert, or Resign
     Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the militant Muslim group Boko Haram demanded that Nigeria's Christian president either convert to Islam, or resign.  President Goodluck Jonathan is called upon to "repent and forsake Christianity," otherwise Boko Haram would continue their violent campaign, in which more than 800 people have been killed and dozens of churches were torched.  Boko Haram, whose name translates as "Western education is forbidden," has come under the influence of an inner group that is dangerous and "increasingly sophisticated and increasingly lethal", according to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.  According to the Assistant Secretary, Boko Haram wants to extend Islamic law over all of Nigeria, even though nearly half of the African nation is Christian.  And despite Haram's increasingly bloody campaign, our administration has resisted all efforts by U.S. lawmakers to designate the group as a foreign terrorist organization under American law.

Lawyer Wants Christian Copts Removed from Egyptian Constitutional Committee
     And we must not turn a blind eye to what's happening to Christians in Egypt.  It appears that the Koran has its own definition of what a "true Christian" is (although the word "Christian" never appears in Islam's holy book).  And you guessed it ---- the orthodox Christian Copts don't fit that definition.  Apparently a lawyer from Alexandria submitted a report to the public prosecutor requesting that Egypt's Copts be excluded from the committee forming the nation's new constitution.   Here's his argument:   "The prophets of Allah — Moses,  Jesus, and Muhammad — are all mere humans sent by God to pass his message on to creation.  But should any sect claim that their prophet is the divine "Son of God," its adherents are infidels. Since Christians believe Jesus to be the divine Son of God, they are polytheistic infidels and not the Nasara (so-called "true Christians") of the Koran; therefore, Copts who also profess the divinity of Christ as expressed in the Trinity must be barred from having any say in Egypt's new constitution."  This report follows continued violence against the Egyptian Christians, which has included imams calling for jihad against all Christians; the looting and torching of Christian homes and churches; and decreased rights of Egyptian Christians through "forced reconciliation."

     Have you read enough?  Believe me, there are many more news stories like these; reports that don't make the internet news agencies.  The fact is, those that call Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior are being singled out across the globe.  It isn't just in the Middle East where militant Muslims seek the deaths of their centuries-old enemies.  Persecution can take on far more subtle shapes.  Consider these headlines, right here in the good 'ol USA:

Atheists Attack Church in Georgia for Feeding High School Football Players
     The Freedom From Religion atheist group called for an investigation after reports surfaced that a Georgia high school football coach had several local churches provide pre-game meals for his football team.  Apparently several members of one of the church's youth group are on the football team, and the meals have been a longstanding tradition.  

Christian Photographer Who Refused Same-Sex Wedding Assignment Gets Day in Court
     As of last week, the New Mexico Supreme court agreed to review the case of an Albuquerque photographer forced to pay a $7,000 fine for refusing to use her "artistic expression" to help two women celebrate their commitment ceremony. A N.M. Court of Appeals upheld the decision, claiming the photographer was guilty of "sexual orientation" discrimination under state anti-discrimination laws.  At this time, attorneys with Alliance Defending Freedom have appealed to the State Supreme Court, citing that "Americans in the marketplace should not be subjected to legal attacks for simply abiding by their beliefs."  This will be a landmark decision and will affect all Americans in business.

     And just in case you are still not convinced, just read over some of these items from the 140-page report of the Family Research Council and Liberty Institute:
---  A federal judge threatened "incarceration" to a high school valedictorian unless she removed references to Jesus Christ from her graduation speech.
---  City officials restricted senior citizens from praying over their meals, listening to religious messages, or singing gospel songs, at a senior activities center.
---  Following U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs policies, a federal government official sought to sensor a pastor's prayer, eliminating references to Jesus, during a Memorial Day ceremony honoring veterans at a national cemetery.
     Now do you see why I am ringing this warning bell?   Our First Amendment is being turned upside down by aggressive atheist groups, federal bureaucracy, and radicalized minorities that have the ear of our elected officials.  Please don't make the mistake of thinking that Jesus's warning of persecution means only overt violence and hostility.  The Enemy is far smarter than that.  His battle plan is stealthy, cunning and artful.  Political correctness and Tolerance are his by-words; it is only one easy step towards instituting laws that forbid the expression of our faith because someone is "insulted."  The time to take a stand is NOW!  Fight to protect our First Amendment and the very reason the Pilgrims landed on our shores.  And never, ever abandon your faith in our Lord!

2 Corinthians 12:10      "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

8 comments:

  1. Dear Belle,
    one one side I'm glad to see that there are people who think the way we do, but on the other side I'm terrified to see that all this is happening not only in our country but all over the world. Russia mainly is a Christian country, but for mysterious reasons it's we who get suppressed. Just recently the local authorities got afraid of an atheist campaign and ordered to remove all the icons (traditional images of God and Saints) and crosses from the classes of our local school. We used to have an all-school prayer in the beginning of school year when our local priest would pray and tell his sermon - now it's cancelled. From now on we cannot have the classes of the God's Law we used to have. If this happens when 9 from 10 people say they are Christians, what would happen if it was vice versa? No doubt - the same what we see in Syria, Pakistan and Egypt. Let's pray for all of us and our children.

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    1. Dear Russian Christian what you must begin to realize is that the enemy has your camp surrounded and has infiltrated at every level. If you believe that the enemy that is attacking you from right in front of your face is the only problem you will be in for big trouble. If you seriously expect the world to accept and embrace Jesus and his teachings you are mistaken. Read your Bible, every page and live by them words. Live righteous and hate sin. Teach your kids to do the same and separate yourself from the world because satan deceives the whole world.The Church Of God talked about in the bible is separated from the world. Be encouraged you are not alone but don't be suprised if you find out some things you thought were true are not. Read every page of that Book and only let the scriptures interpret the scriptures.

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    2. Craig --- Very wise words! As Christians, we must be especially careful to pay attention to what Scripture says, and not some supposed Church authority. In these days, we must read the words in the Bible and let the Holy Spirit help us discern their meaning. If you are deep in the Word, you may likely find out that you haven't received the entire message that God intended the Church to reveal to Believers. It is up to each of us to seek Him by diligently studying the Word ourselves. Seek understanding through the Scriptures and God will provide the answers.

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  2. Thank you so much for your comment! As Christians, it doesn't matter what country we come from, does it? Any prejudice or persecution against one of us, is against the Body of Christ. And your circumstances show us all how easy it is to have our religious freedom taken away from us. Atheism is a form of persecution as their voices grow louder and their power expands. At the same time, there are more people coming to know our Lord worldwide, and we can be thankful for that. And you are right ---- we are seeing Evil battling against God's people throughout the world and we just need to pray for strength and protection. I will be praying for you and your country, as I pray for all Christians. God Bless You!

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  3. I welcome this persecution if it comes to pass. The modern church has become a stumbling block full of false prophets. Perhaps the fires of persecution will purify the elect of the viper pots in our midst.

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  4. I am beginning to see a separation of Christians into two groups: those that want their "ears tickled" by feel good theology that ignores the coming judgment, and those who pour over Scripture in order to understand what Jesus and the prophets had to tell us. We, in the second group, recognize that it is precisely because God loves us that He wants to purify us and remove the false idols from our lives and make sure our names are written in the Book of Life. Personally, I do not want to hear those dreaded words, "I never knew you." It is only through Christ that my life has any meaning.

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  5. God is calling his people out of this false religion. In revelation chapter 18 it talks of True Christians coming out of false Christianity. A Christianity that has the world deceived. And when I say deceived I mean they don't know it. These people think they are saved and they have made up a God in their own mind with little or no scripture to back it up.It is not the people who are at fault but they will perish for lack of knowledge. We are in a battle of principalities and are at war with forces of darkness that are roaming around this world looking for someone to devour. The Catholic Church and the protestant denominations are confusion, and confusion is Babylon,hence the name babble. True Christianity was always persecuted throughout the ages and went into hiding. The Catholics and protestants masqueraded as the true Church but were always infiltrated by the devil because they never fully submitted to God's word and turned from sin.A remnant of the True Church has always made it through. hence the name little flock in Luke 12:32. Stay encouraged Belle Ringer because we are out here with you.

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    1. Craig, thanks for your inspirational comment, and I agree with you 100%. Someday, I will reveal the dark forces that have tried to discourage PLW and myself. Like you, I fear for all the "nominal" Christians, if I may use that term, who think that going to church every Sunday will get them into heaven. They have been taught that God is love and when we profess our trust and belief in Him, He offers us salvation through His grace .... all true, but that's not the whole message! We must be repent of our sins and seek the Kingdom of God. How many churches actually call their congregations to repentance? And how many people realize that Jesus came to bestow Salvation through Grace at His First Coming, but His Second Coming is all about Judgment for the Wicked? And how many churches actually acknowledge, let alone study the Book of Revelation? This most important Book of the Bible is giving us encouragement to endure the coming persecution ... and believe me, brothers and sisters, it's coming and many of us will suffer. We will ultimately be delivered, but not before going through many trials and tribulations. The principalities of darkness have been unleashed and the demonic presence is greatly enhanced upon the earth. I pray that people who consider themselves Christians will wipe away the scales from their eyes and seek the knowledge that will save their souls.

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