Will American Christians be persecuted in your lif

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Esaias

So you don't believe the NT teaches that christians should expect persecution because of their faith? Or that the 'world hates God and His people'?

Or was all that just 'for them, back then, and not us today'?

Of course Christians will be persecuted because of their faith.....just not in America. In the middle east, sure. In communist counties, probably.

The mass killing of Christians isn't going to happen in the USA...nor much of the rest of the world. If America ever becomes a theocracy, Christians will persecute Christians, but it's not going to become a theocracy so that's not going to happen.

Christians have the worse days of persecution long long behind them.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by seekerman

Doomsdayers have been predicting the end for many thousands of years now. The fact is, there's been 'ends' for a number of societies throughout history, with famine, disease and wars. America, except for the destruction of the Native American society, has never really seen trials and tribulations such as much of the world has and that's a problem.

Americans are America-centric, i.e., if it doesn't happen here then it's not happening or isn't that important. Imagine being in Nagasaki or Hiroshima, total and utter destruction. If that had been New York City or Dallas, the doomsdayers would be beside themselves in pointing out the wrath of God that was being poured out. There were over 250,000 people killed in the tsunami a few years ago. Entire villages were washed away, as if they had never existed. Here, that would be God mass killing people for the sins of those living wherever it occurred. Deaths by the thousands occur frequently in Africa through starvation and war. If that occurred here, again the endtimers would be pointing out that God was punishing us, the end is here.

Ok i understand that noteveryone will agree with me on this but I'm ok with that. how do we know that those thngs are not manifestations of God's wrath?

Originally Posted by seekerman

Of course America is going to go through tribulation, the world goes through tribulation. When it comes, people are going to suffer and die. Families will be scattered as has occurred so many many times throughout history. That's the cycle of creation it seems.

But, Christians aren't going to be singled out and persecuted. That's an irrational fear that has it's roots in the fearmongering of the Christian media. Fear sells well.

Revelations 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Daniel 11:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.


Yeah i guess your right Daniel and John didnt know what they were talking about.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Luke

Ok i understand that noteveryone will agree with me on this but I'm ok with that. how do we know that those thngs are not manifestations of God's wrath?




Revelations 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.


Daniel 11:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.


Yeah i guess your right Daniel and John didnt know what they were talking about.

Bump

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Luke

Ok i understand that noteveryone will agree with me on this but I'm ok with that. how do we know that those thngs are not manifestations of God's wrath?

If we don't know that God punished 250,000 people for their sins during the tsunami, what good did it do? No lesson was learned, such as being afraid of God or he'll kill people in mass quantities.

If we don't have a lesson from the mass killing, if we don't know, there's no lesson to learn.

Revelations 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Daniel 11:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.


Yeah i guess your right Daniel and John didnt know what they were talking about.

Daniel and John weren't speaking of today, in my opinion. What would make you think they were speaking of 2013 rather than 1713 or 2113?

[Abiding Now]

Man, I sure hope not.

[n david]

Originally Posted by celtic warrior

Anti-bullying is one things. Bullying is harassment. Usually its against one specific person. The constitution is not clear on things like healthcare. But its very very very clear on freedom of speech. I would have a fat payday coming my way if the Govt arrested me for something I said. Especially something I said in a religious setting. You say will be like you know for sure. Religious paranoia much?

1) I would love to believe that SCOTUS will always uphold the 1st, but it's not a guarantee. There are clear limits to "free speech" already in place. Try going to a crowded theater, yelling "Fire! Fire!" and see if the 1st amendment will protect you from prosecution. Try going to an airport and talking about some kind of threat to an airline, see how far your 1st amendment will take you. The SCOTUS has agreed there are limits to "free speech."

2) There have been several private businesses sued, with some being put out of business for alleged discrimination against gays. This years SCOTUS ruling will help to enable more lawsuits against private business owners who have personal or religious convictions against this lifestyle. And not only has it affected private businesses, but it has set the precedent to be used against churches in the near future.

No, I don't have religious paranoia; but I am able to see what has happened as setting the precedent for future legal issues.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Not that it is IMPOSSIBLE, but I don't believe that the United States of America will EVER see the true persecution of Christians.

I believe America is special.
I believe GOD has a plan of preservation for us-- through the tribulation period where we will see Christian persecution in other places around the world. We will be in a place politically and economically where our influence will be of no effect.

GOD is going to use a nation to help Israel.
The USA will be that nation.

Baxter is a big proponent of this thought. America isn't special. America is a baby-killing, sin-loving, gay-supporting steamy pile of trash in God's nostrils. It's only His mercy, and the number of Godly people in America, that keeps God from destroying her. God Himself will help Israel. He will not allow another to get the glory; and certainly not a sinful nation like America.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I believe America is Mystery Babylon. Saints will be put to death for sport. Lots of them.

Originally Posted by renee819

Amen! The Beast (One World Government) will rule the world from America. On his back, will come in Mystery Babylon (One World Religion)

I don't believe America is Babylon, nor will the OWG be headquartered here. America has lost her luster and shine. Fifty or sixy years ago, I may have agreed with you; but not today. Especially with the new revelations that the US NSA has been spying on everyone, including the Pope. We've lost too much credibility to be the OWG HQ. That will likely be based in Belgium where the World Court is already located.

[n david]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

That's a popular belief, but God delivered Israel on eagle's wings way back in Exodus, too, several thousand years before the US ever existed (Exodus 19:4). I would be cautious in reading the USA into the Scriptures.

Zechariah 14:2 tells us ALL NATIONS shall be gathered against Jerusalem. So either the US will be a part of that gathering, or else the US will not exist during that time.

Right. I tend to believe the US will be here, but will be aligned against Israel. Perhaps Israel will launch a pre-emptive strike which will turn everyone, including the US against it; or they could cause the same uniting against it by continuing and expanding their settlements against the will of the US and UN.

[Timmy]

Will you rejoice if you are persecuted for your faith?