Posted: 02/05/2008
The Coming Persecution
Now this is an article that should get your attention. Sadly, many refuse to be willing to consider the possibility of persecution against Christians in America. “It can’t happen here.” What a naive people we have become. Do we really believe that we are immune to what history so clearly teaches? History is full of examples of tyrannical governments persecuting Christians. We seem to think that if we just do our own thing while our country falls into the depths of anti-Christ paganism, they will leave us alone. What a blind people we American Christian have become. Blind as we go about our daily lives, so concerned with temporal things that we refuse to see the spiritual battle at hand.
The power of the mind to pretend that all is well is really quite amazing. All around us we see the increase in anti-Christian behavior. The only group of people that it is found acceptable to speak against are Christians. The spirit of anti-Christ is growing in America while at the same time there is a call for “understanding” when it comes to Islam. Although it is true that not every Muslim will go out and kill Christians, every study shows that a majority of Muslims are at least sympathetic to the terrorist cause. The ideology of Islamic fascism has declared war on us, killed nearly 3000 lives on 9/11, and yet the leftists treat them better than American Christians who have shown love and care for so many here in America and around the world. Why would there be more compassion and concern for Muslims than there is for Christians amongst the liberals? The answer is clear. The liberals are deceived by Satan who has blinded them. Liberals have a disdain for the bible and the preachers who dare to stand up and preach it with authority. When speaking of the hatred non Christians will have for true believers Jesus said;
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” - John 15:19
American Christians have been drawn into a false sense of security because America has been the best, most free nation in the world. Most people believe in personal religious freedom. The problem is that the cultural elite who control academia, the media, and political establishments are mostly anti-Christ. The liberal elite, along with their minions of anti-Christ socialist mal contents are wielding great influence in our culture as to affect a change over time in attitudes about Christians. There was a day when Christians were seen as good people (though certainly imperfect humans) who cared about their neighbors and lifted up good moral values. After a constant barrage of anti-Christian teaching in the public school system, academia, and media/entertainment establishments, Christians are now seen as narrow minded fools. Those who fancy themselves to be “open-minded” are in fact the most closed minded people of all. They use vile language to attack Christians personally and dismiss every statistical fact of the breakdown of the family. They want a sort of spirituality that from a practical sense makes them their own god. Atheists worship their own minds, and liberal so called “Christians” worship their own feelings and thinking above the Word of God. While loving to quote scripture that makes them feel good, they seem to have a disdain for any passage that brings conviction of sin.
There is an increased call now for “hate speech” legislation. This legislation is a precursor to fully outlawed Christian speech. There is coming a day when preachers like me will be arrested for preaching against homosexuality. The day is coming when the law will not allow Christians to stand against sin publicly without a penalty. There will be an increase of the following;
1) We will be called the worst vile names.
2) We will be marginalized and seen as holding back “progressive ideas.”
3) Persecuted physically for our stand.
4) The government will try to increase its authority over our children.
5) Parents who stand for their faith and inculcate it to their children will be accused of child abuse.
6) Increased employment discrimination.
7) Tax exempt status will be threatened based on a church preaching so called “hate speech” (as defined by the liberals).
8) Government Regulation of churches and Christian schools.
9) Confiscation of church property with bogus eminent domain claims.
10) Selective application of law without due process.
Even many in the “Evangelical churches” have fallen into sinful secularization of points concerning biblical doctrine. So called “Seeker sensitive” pluralistic movements are growing in Evangelical churches. Seeker sensitive churches are more concerned with not offending someone then they are with true conversion and discipleship. We also see the movement of pluralism embracing all kinds of heretical theology in the name of “unity of the Spirit.”
Evangelical is a term that was used to combat the rise of social liberalism and the diminishment of biblical truth in “main line churches” in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Since then the main line churches have continued to preach a false gospel and accept all manner of sin as “God given.” The problem now is that Evangelical churches are now going the same direction that the main line has gone. This will further erode the influence of truth in those churches and in one or two generations all truth will be lost.
I am called every nasty name under the sun for standing for the bible. Lied about, and swore at enough to make anyone weary. Having said that, I take comfort in the following scripture passage that tells me I will be hated by the world system and its promoters;
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” - Matthew 5:11
The real sad thing to me is that so many Christians are being led astray by the social gospel and its central message of so called “tolerance.” The problem with tolerance is that the very people who call for it are the most intolerant of all! There is a continued intolerance of Christian speech and even in “churches” people are offended by preachers who do not compromise biblical truth. Can you imagine the names that the Apostle Paul would be called today? He would not be invited to speak in many churches in our land since he would definitely offend someone. Today the Church wants non offensive leaders like Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, and Bill Hybels. The desire is for Leaders who have a pluralistic mind-set who are unwilling to take a biblical stand. Christians now want leaders that use enticing words of Man’s wisdom rather than the plain biblical truth as preached by the Apostle Paul.
The day is coming my friends when you and I who hold the Word of God dear will have to choose as to whom we serve publicly. The day is coming when this culture will not tolerate true Christians at all. The time will come when preachers will be arrested and imprisoned for preaching the Word of God. In that day it will take more than having a cute Christian bumper sticker on your car, and a T-shirt with a Christian slogan on it to be considered a witness for Christ. In that day it may cost you friendships, money, jobs, property, and quite possibly your very life. Wake up America, for unless we as a nation have a revival through repentance, the day will come. I end with the following passages of scripture for those who will react as they always do when I confront these issues;
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” - Galatians 4:16
It used to be in America that preachers were considered friends because they spoke the Word of God. Now preachers are held in contempt and considered enemies by the liberal establishments. As a minister of the gospel, a preacher of the Word of God, have I and other bible preachers now become your enemy because we tell you the truth?
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” - 1 Timothy 4:1
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fable” - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Wake up and smell the truth Church. Rise up and declare the name of your God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The God of the Apostles….Jesus Christ the Lord! God grant us grace and mercy that we may once again renew our relationship with you as the Church and nation. That our hearts be turned back to faith in your Holy Word, in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Dr. David M. Berman
Senior Pastor, Author, Convention Speaker
211 Whitcomb Road
P.O. Box 10357
Swanzey, NH. 03446
Phone 603 352 9471
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