BYM ONLINE DESK July 2018 English Emagazine | Page 11

July 2018
speaking the word to no one except Jews.”
Act 13:50 - “But the Jews incited the devout
women of high standing and the leading men of the
city, stirred up persecution against Paul and
Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.”
D. Jason, Missionary, Blessing Youth Mission
Persecution is not a new thing for the Church.
No wonder when Jesus first introduced the concept of
Church, He immediately promised that the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it.
Matt 16:18 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and
on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it.”
Jesus knew well that the whole of hell would
come against the Church. But He wanted His
disciples to know that the Church can neither be
overpowered nor subdued. Jesus said, “I will build
My Church.” Yes, it is His Church. He is the head of
the Church (Eph 5:23, Col 1:18). Even when Paul
persecuted the Church, God revealed that it was
“Him” against whom he was fighting.
Acts 9:4 -“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting
me?”
But all through the history of the Church, the
devil has incited people, dynasties and organizations
to come against the Church. The early Church too
faced severe persecution.
Act 11:19 “ Now those who were scattered
because of the persecution that arose over Stephen
traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch,
1. Know that God is Sovereign
All persecutions are permitted by God. Though
sometimes we might allude certain reasons to
persecutions, still it is under the Sovereign Lordship
of the Lord. We should never forget that we worship a
God, who is the author of life and creator of
humanity. He is not a passive on-looker when it
comes to the happenings in the world. No political
party can come to power unless God permits it. No
one can sit on any 'Chair' in this world unless Heaven
allows it. He gives the worldly power to whomever
He wishes.
Psa 2:10 - “Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.”
No persecution takes God by surprise. God
does not read newspapers. He is not marveled by the
happenings in the world. He has planned everything
and He makes it to pass. As the creations groan for
His mighty return, the world events are nothing but
the fulfillment of all the Biblical prophecies. Hence,
let us not worry as if something strange is happening.
All over the world, genuine believers are undergoing
a severe time of testing and persecution. This has
been permitted by God. But it is our responsibility to
pray for the persecuted brethren so that they stay
strong in the Lord.
R
O F I N T E G
Facing Persecution
The early persecutors of the Church were
mostly Jews, and later the Roman Emperors
persecuted the Christians. There were notable
persecutors in the history of the Church like Nero,
Domitian, Trajan, Valerian and Diocletian. But the
Church has stood the test of time and ages. Even now
we could see some forces that come against the
Church of God. But we should be aware of certain
Biblical truths with regard to persecution.
*2018*
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