Not So Trivial Question

• QUESTION: Which era since Christ’s death have Christians* endured the greatest amount of persecution?

• ANSWER: Now**

Historic Persecution

Faithful Believers in the O.T.

• Abel. Gn. 4:8• Lot. Gn. 19:1-11• Israelites. Ex. 3:7• David. 1 Sa. 18:28-19:1• Elijah. 1 Ki. 19:9-10• Micaiah. 1 Ki. 22:24-28

• Jeremiah. Je. 37:15-18• Shadrach... Dn. 3:8-12• Daniel. Dn. 6:4-7• Israelites. Esth. 3:3-6• Zechariah. 2 Ch. 24:20-

21• Etc, Mt. 23:35; He. 11:37

Faithful Believers in the N.T.

• John the Baptist. Matt. 14:3-12• Peter, John, apostles. Acts 3; 4:1-3; 5:17-18• Stephen. Acts 7:51-60• Christians in Jerusalem. Acts 8:1-4• James, others, Peter. Acts 12:1-4• Paul. Acts 22:19; 26:11… 2 Cor. 11:23-26

Don’t Think It Strange

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

1 Peter 4:12–14

The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer, by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1883).

The Call To Suffer

Jesus Said It Would Come

• Not IF but WHEN… Matt. 5:10-12• Sending out the twelve. Matt. 10:21-26;

Jn. 15:26-16:4• He told Peter it would happen to him.

Jn. 21:17-19

Tacitus: Annals Book 15:44

Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome,

Tacitus: Annals Book 15:44

where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind.

It’s Coming, Now What?

 

It’s Coming to the U.S.A.

• Much of the Muslim and Communist ruled world persecute Christians.

• The winds of change against Christianity are shifting in the U.S.

Now What?

• Walk In The Footsteps of Jesus who suffered for the sins of the world. Rom. 8:12-17

• Do not fear man, fear God. Matt. 10:28• Do what is right knowing your reward

is eternal life. 1 Peter 4:15-19