LaVrai.COM - The Truth - Will You Give In, Or Hold On To Christ Jesus?

I have been in such a situation many times:

Hanging out with friends/associates who do not believe as I do about the state of the world and its creator, GOD Almighty. A few of them may be ’spiritual’ (whatever that means), some may think there is a god, but could really care less, and others say there is no such thing and that religion is a crutch for weak people. Now, I, apparently being the only Christian in the group, am faced with a decision - Do I boldly declare that I am a Christian or do I keep quiet and let them rage on in their cursing and criticism of and ignorance about Jesus the Christ?

How about the youth born in Saudi Arabia and into Islam who at some point in his life receives the call from GOD and accepts it and manages to show his parents the Way? So now the family are Christians at heart, but can’t exactly wear it on their sleeves…without risk of death (see persecution.org). One day, the state police shows up at their home and drags the youth and his parents to the station to be interrogated to see if they are violating the country’s law which requires all Saudi citizens to be Muslims.

He, his mother and father are told to declare their Muslim faith or prepare to die. When asked individually under the harshest condition and threat of death, the boy’s parents don’t hesitate to insist that they are good Muslims. The youth looks to his parents, who get to live…because they have denied ever knowing Jesus the Christ. What should the youth do? What would you do?

An End To Freedom Of Religion, Separation Of Church And State

I tell you that such scenarios will not be so isolated and ‘foreign’ in the very near future. One day quite soon you, too, will be in a similar predicament. You may say now that you would never deny Christ Jesus… but what if your family, your children were murdered before your eyes…? What if you were tortured in the most painful ways? How about if you were told you could not buy food, clothes, gas for your car, etc. if you are a Christian? What would you really do?

As the LORD wanted to prepare his disciples - us - for what will surely happen, He gave it to us plainly.

Matthew 10:16-26 “…beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles… brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.”

You may be thinking, ‘Well, that was just during the early period of the church, when Christianity wasn’t too popular.’ So it was, but I tell you: as it was during the birth of the Church, so it shall be during the cleansing of the Temple.

Even if you are a casual reader of the Holy Bible, you have heard it been told that Jesus the Christ will return to earth and deal a final blow to the enemies of GOD and divide the believers from the unrepentant. As laid out in the books of Daniel and Revelation, the setting of this judgment will be during a desperate, scary and painful time (men will seek death and not find it).

Mark 13:19 “For in those days there will be a tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of creation..” Luke 21:26 “…men’s hearts failing them form fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…” Matthew 24: 10&12 “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another… And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”

There will be no more religious freedom for Americans or any citizen of the world. Church and state will no longer be separate. Christianity will become a global enemy and all attempts will be made to blot it out - and those who adhere to it: “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to the councils…” (Mark 13:9)

What To Do In The Face Of Persecution And The Promise Of Death

Matthew 10:28 & 19-20 “…do not fear those who will kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear HIM who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell… But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”

It is as simple as that - hold fast and continue to believe that the LORD will save you (as in your soul… HE has no need of the flesh, which will waste away anyway).

And If You Deny Knowing Jesus the Christ…

Matthew 10:32 (flipped) “…him I will also deny before My FATHER who is in heaven… But whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My FATHER who is in heaven.”

When You Hold On To Christ Jesus Through Thick & Thin & Death

Matthew 10:22 “But he who endures to the end shall be saved…”

“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of GOD.”

“Him who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

“To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

“But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations… and I will give him the morning star.”

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My FATHER and before HIS angels.”

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My GOD, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My GOD and the name of the city of MY GOD, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from MY GOD. And I will write on him My new name.”

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My FATHER on HIS throne.”

Remember, Christ Jesus didn’t say ‘if’ they persecute you for My name’s sake; He said when, so rest assured a time like this is in our future. When you pick up that figurative cross and follow Christ Jesus, expect to be hated, reviled and spit upon as He was. But He overcame because He didn’t doubt the promise of the FATHER. Please do not doubt GOD’s promises either.

Prepare yourself in prayer and the reading of GOD’s Holy Word and surround yourself with like-minded people - people firm in their faith and who would gladly walk away from every worldly possession.

Jesus the Christ means what He said about never forsaking you.

“And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

~ Shalom