Did you know that the underground church in Muslim countries is growing so rapidly that odds are (if you're a Muslim in the east) you know someone that you are convinced is a Muslim but is actually a Christian who's forced to hide it because of persecution? (In the pic is a small group of Iranian Christians who are former Muslims meeting secretly to study, encourage and pray for each other). Many governments and people of these closed nations have no idea the underground church even exists in its borders. Because Christianity is illegal and closed in these countries, God's doing the proselytizing Himself through dreams and visions which is responsible for many conversions.
Did you know that the underground church in China and North Korea is growing so rapidly that it's likely (if you're an atheist communist) that you know someone who you think is just like you but is really a Christian?
Did you know that the underground church is spreading so rapidly all over the Middle East and Africa that even people you work with may be the same people who spend their free time smuggling Bibles into the country. The same people you think you know and are sure are like you are the same ones copying the Bible in long hand a book at a time and giving it to others who also copy them and pass them along because Bibles are illegal.
Did you know in countries where "churches" are allowed (and a certain amount of Bibles are allowed but both are closely monitored and under the control of the government) most Christians don't even attend them? They have been forced underground because a vast majority have converted from Islam or Hinduism. This is especially true in countries like Iran, Iraq, India and Turkey. You may live in one of these countries and think "but we have churches here!" Ya and they face persecution all the time and most of those who attend have been raised Christian. But for those who are converting from Islam it's dangerous and they can't openly attend a church so they meet in homes or in remote areas like the desert, woods and even in caves.
Did you know persecution is on the rise in South America?
It's even true here in the States for Muslims. I attend services on Friday nights where the building is so packed with Muslims there's not even standing room. They freely come but they have to sneak away from their families and neighbors. It's interesting to see the reactions of some who run into their neighbors also attending. There's a tense silent agreement..."you don't tell on me and I won't tell on you." If you want a chair you gotta get there early. They come freely to hear the Gospel. Some bring pastries, tea and coffee from a local Middle Eastern bakery and everyone hangs out together afterwards for hours. Later they go home with their secret and return the next week.
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me." Matthew 24:9
"but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13
Persecution does 2 things outwardly...it deepens the commitment of true Christians thus spreading it and forces the "religious Christians" to desert. It helps separate the wheat from the tares (weeds) and just like pulling weeds from a garden...the roots of the wheat now have room to spread their roots and the garden takes off.
This is happening all over the world. Persecution of Christians has picked up. Even in the States where we've been relatively free from serious persecution it's increasing and getting worse. Our own government is now calling Christians "terroritsts" and calling for a "Christian solution". Sound familiar? Ya they did that to the Jews in Germany.
Will we ever be tossed to lions in a stadium here? Who knows! Will they bring back burning Christians at the stake again? It's possible. Will we be thrown into prison for preaching, executed, raped, starved, beaten, beheaded, tortured etc? It's happening in many other countries so to think it'll never touch us in the States is unrealistic. It could. When I read and see news pictures of Christians being beheaded in Indonesia...Christians being raped, beaten, executed, imprisoned and tortured in the Middle East and Africa it's a sober reminder that though I'm in the States I'm not safe. The Bible gives very clear predictions how things will go from bad to worse for us everywhere even those who thought they were safe. During the last days it will become full blown and spread all over the world.
Historically Christians have been savagely persecuted by pagans, Catholics even Jews. Nowadays it's coming from the Muslims, Atheist Communists and Hindus. But we gotta remember Christianity is the only faith that has spread like wildfire under persecution. Persecution never stopped it. Like a fire spreads by wind so has Christianity under the severest opposition. When Christians are persecuted they don't cower and hide...they've always rejoiced in it and always picked up their witness under it. This has been a huge factor in it spreading. That is a huge testimony to God and His power and often times has led to the persecutors themselves repenting! Even today despite government efforts and persecution in China, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Eastern Europe, the entire Middle East and Africa, Christianity is spreading, the underground church is growing at a rapid rate and they can't stop it. When the underground church is growing under such conditions weeds don't take root.
If it hadn't been for severe persecution Christianity would have never spread throughout what is modern day Turkey thus pushing it to the West. We aren't to see it as a set back or be afraid of it...we're to be ready for it.When modern day theologians and prominent teachers were asked if we would ever see such harsh treatment here in the West...there basic answer was "Yes...it's coming". That's not their opinion...that's entirely biblical.
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."
If we let our attitudes reflect our surroundings we're in sin and not doing what we're supposed to be doing. If we begin to lose virtue because of where we live then we need to pray that God will reverse it. We "counted the cost" (Luke 14:28) of being a Christian before coming one. We knew what we could face, what could happen and we knew it could cost us our lives. Never become complacent but remain vigilant, self controlled and faithful even to death.
In the meantime, while we in the West are not facing persecution YET as harsh as those in the East we are to remember "those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:3) pray for them daily, help them and their families where ever and however you can and take an example from them.
Video on Richard Wurmbrand founder of Voice of the Martyrs and writer of "Tortured for Christ" and former Jew who was severely tortured and beaten during his 14 years in solitary confinement in a Romanian prison after being convicted of preaching. He continued preaching in prison at every opportunity he got with the guards most of which were his torturers and many of them converted. His life and steadfastness in the faith in spite of continuous torture and beatings was the testimony that convinced some prison officials and led to their conversion. All of them also had to hide their faith. Once he was released he went right back to preaching on the streets where he was arrested again.
The video says "Armenia" that is a mistake. It was Romania...
TORTURED FOR CHRIST - Allan Rich vdos
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