An Embattled Stance
Exodus 33:21 KJV — And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
Our nation witnessed the passing of a man we considered “America’s Pastor” and our friend, the Reverend Billy Graham. He dedicated his life in serving God and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. Billy Graham was a man who knew where he stood in his relationship with God. His faith and confidence in the Lord propelled him and his ministry to places in this world that someone could only hope and imagine to see. Through Graham’s efforts millions were converted to Christianity.
Matthew 24:9-10 KJV — Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Many more have been converted by radio, television and the internet, especially in countries that may not be friendly to the ideals and message that the Gospel provides. In some parts of the world being a follower of Jesus Christ can be a matter of life and death. Nearly 90,000 of the faithful were killed for their beliefs in violent and gruesome attacks last year, according to a report by the Center for Studies on New Religions, making Christians the most persecuted group in the world. While some were killed as part of state-sanctioned persecution, as in places like North Korea, nearly one-third of the Christians who died in 2016 were executed at the hands of Islamic extremists like ISIS. The study also found that as many as 600 million Christians were prevented from practicing their faith .
Matthew 24:35 KJV — Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
In attempts to prove Jesus wrong, there have been examples of countries trying to ban the Word of God. Hindu extremists in southern India issued harsh threats to Christians distributing Bibles before, snatching their car keys, taking Bibles out of their vehicle and setting the Scripture on fire. The hostilities come after “one of the most traumatic” years of persecution of Christians, according to a report released by the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI). Other reports of violence towards Christians have also been reported. Most of the cases documented consisted of physical violence and arrests at 110, followed by 70 instances of threat and harassment, 64 cases of disruption of church and worship services and 49 arrests on false charges. The report documents four incident cases in which Christians lost their lives because of their faith.
Luke 9:23 KJV — And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
The United States is not immune to the treatment of Christians and Christianity. Starting in 1963 with the elimination of prayer in public schools and the discouragement of recognizing God in government, liberal factions are now demanding the removal of the “Peace Cross.” A World War I memorial dedicated to the veterans who lost their lives from Bladensburg, Maryland. It sits on land owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, a state agency that pays for upkeep and repairs, according to court filings. On October 17, 2017, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the historic memorial must be torn down. All because the Bladensburg Memorial is in the shape of a cross.
The “War,’ if you will, against Christianity rages around the globe in a desperate attempt to not accept the Truth, who is Jesus Christ. We must pray and boldly stand for God and that His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Matthew 24:12-14 KJV — And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
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