The Soon Coming Sufferings of the Church in America
Bill Haymin
November 20, 2006
Peggy & I receive mailing from "Voice of the Martyrs" monthly Magazine. This months issue has an article that so impressed me, I felt it was important enough to share with others.
The article below, seems to fit right in with the second chapter and verse 10 & 11, in the book of Revelation: "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation.... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."
This commentary by Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, also seems to fit in with what I see coming soon to the body of Christ in your local American neighborhoods, complements of your government. We will be tried and put in dire circumstances by those that have a different vision for America, and will be of particular concern for Christians and all political dissidents.
Most Christians knew it was coming if we were reading our Bible, and reading with discernment, [separating fact from fiction] what the underground press has been trying to inform we the people for some time now. It's just a lot closer than we thought.
"A Christian martyr is one who chooses to suffer death rather than to deny Christ or His work...sacrifices something very important to further the Kingdom of God...endures great suffering for Christian witness." Quote from V.O.M, ["Voice of the Martyrs]
Up until just a few weeks ago, I did not think a whole lot about the kind of suffering that the "Voice of the Martyrs" Magazine reports about, but Peggy did. Terrible Christian persecution is happening to much of the world right now, somewhere else, (I thought), as told about in their monthly magazine. Oh I have read and thought about it from time to time, but I felt for America, it was a ways off yet.
You maybe thinking to yourself about now, oh this will never happen here in America, and this guy is just off his nut. After all this is the land of the free and home of the brave, right??
But then I was reading news articles and commentary on the Net along with my Bible.....
I felt compelled to pick up this months issue of V.O.M., and I read the following article, and it all seemed to come together for me. Suddenly the issue of Christians being martyred for their faith in other countries, was not so far off and closer to home.
It took on a whole new meaning for me and for the rest of my brothers & sisters in Christ, living in America. Not just because of the article bellow, but because of my being impressed [which has been building over time] by the reality that we are no longer living in Christian America.
There may be many Christians in name only, not in producing the fruit that God wants of us like: love joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. [Gal. 22&23]
These qualities and values are what the world is waiting and wanting to see in us. But they come at a price. That price is our obedience to our God, and a death to self.
The values that Americans had and took for granted are not being reproduced in our children for many decades now. It really all started when public education was allowed to get a foothold in America. But We Christians both past and present let it happen. We are the true guardians of freedom.
We really shouldn't be so surprised when more things happen that we will hear about, that should show us that we are indeed living in the last hours of the last days. This is the way of all societies & peoples that reject Christ and his culture redeeming message. Read the following slowly with reflection, and let his comments sink in.
The Unreasonableness of God
by Rev. Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001), founder of (V.O.M) - "Voice of the Martyrs." He spent a total of 14 years in communistic prisons.
"I shared and viewed the sufferings of many fellow prisoners in an underground Communist prison. What intrigued us the most was that we did not obtain from heaven what it was obviously reasonable to expect: a slight improvement in our situation, food to quiet our hunger, and abatement of our cruel torture. We did not get what we expected because heaven is not - humanly speaking - reasonable.
Jesus said, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" (luke 15:7). This is surely not reasonable.
Nowhere does the Bible speak about the "reasonableness" of God, according to man's reasoning, but rather about His foolishness, ["Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."1 Corinthians 1:25]. He is unreasonable as are the thoughts of little children. Christ became a child and recommended that we become as children too.
Was it reasonable to sacrifice the unique Son of God for witless, dirty, dumb sheep? I have asked many shepherds what they would do if they saw a wolf. They all replied, "We would run for our lives." No man dies for sheep. Yet Jesus did. He died for beings worse than sheep - for those who denied and betrayed Him, for those who demanded His crucifixion. He died for His killers, for all who blaspheme and hate God.
Do not be surprised if you fail to get from God what you might reasonably expect. If He were truly reasonable, He would never listen to the prayers of people like us, nor would we have salvation.
Rather, God loves to the point of folly.
If you are in the sad situation of experiencing neither His reason, nor His mad love, you might consider the fact that in the parable of the ninety and nine, only the lost sheep had sure proof of His love and concern. the others could reasonably say they were neglected and abandoned. Those who are faithful should simply be glad that others experience His love to folly.
While in solitary confinement, I waited for years for God to come to my aid. In solitary we were happy about His mad love even in moments we were not its recipients.
Do not count on reasonableness in heaven and you will never be disappointed. Count only on the fact that there is One who loves you to such folly that He died for you. In response, forget about sweet reason and let yourself fall madly in love with Him." Copyright Voice of the Martyrs, 2006. www.persecution.com
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - [our soul is preserved & protected by God. No human or demon can touch our immortal soul.] always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." [2 Cor. 4:8 - 11]
Our days of living comfortable and in relative safety in America may be numbered. One day soon people of faith might wake up to find ourselves in some internment camp [just like Paul] or pilgrims in our own country. Or in heaven worshiping the only wise and true God who holds all things in his hands.
The question to ask ourselves now, and prepare for is, will we keep our faith in the midst of terrible persecution and great suffering? ..." Never the less when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?" [Luke. 18:8]
It's not reasonable to have to suffer for being a Christian as Richard Wurmbrand has said. But Jesus said: "In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." [John. 16:33]. He also said: "If they have persecuted me they will persecute you." [John. 15:20]. And: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [Heb. 13:5]
The Word of God also says: "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein." [Hosea. 14:9]
The hour is late, the time to prepare is now, not when things and circumstances are upon us. By preparing I mean growing and dealing with our emotional problems & sin areas of our life by starting right now. Allow the Lord to refine you by dying to self. Hold back when you want to give an angry response to a very trying situation. I am speaking to myself in saying all of this as well.
Actually, for those of us that have been Christians for a while now, have we been building on the foundation that is laid in Christ?
Proverbs. 22: 3 says in N.L.T.: "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences"
We can have the peace that passes ALL understanding, even in the midst of our tribulations and sufferings, if we are walking close to the Lord.
In scripture, God through the Prophets of old warned the people of coming events. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." [Hebrews. 11:7]
I'm not saying I am a Prophet, but I feel compelled with a sense of urgency, to share this message with my brothers & sisters in the Lord. It's later than we think!
"No truly authoritarian government can tolerate those who have a real absolute by which to judge its arbitrary absolutes, and who speak out and act upon that absolute. This was the issue with the early church in regard to the Roman Empire." Francis A. Schaeffer, from his book: "How Should We Then Live?" 1976.
"You must understand: It's going to cost you to take a stand on these things. There are doctors who are going to get kicked out of hospitals because they refuse to perform abortions; there are nurses who see a little sign on a crib that says, "Do not feed," and they feed and they are fired. There's a cost, but I'd ask you, what is loyalty to Christ worth to you? How much do you believe that this is true? And then, how much do you love the lord Jesus Christ? Are you willing to pay the price for loyalty to the Lord Jesus? This quote was taken from the 1982 address by Francis Schaeffer at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church titled: "The Reason For Our Moral Breakdown"
We need to be reminded that nothing in this life is worth losing our future life with God for. If we try to save our temporal life here by denying our faith, we will lose our heavenly life and rewards. [Matthew. 16:24 - 27]
We are all going to die one day, why not live out our life with conviction, even in the midst of facing our own possible death. Yes there is a price to pay for our faithfulness to Christ, but we will receive our heavenly reward. Remember this if some day you should find yourself in a potentially compromising situation.
In Germany, at the time Hitler was rounding up the Jews, there was this knock at their door. People were hauled off in the middle of the night from their dwellings. One day they were there in their homes, laughing and enjoying each other, and the next day they were gone.
We must realize it is going to cost us something for our faith, and not denying our precious Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
Authoritarian or totalitarian government is quickly becoming an issue and a reality, right now, right here, in America and will be increasing. How are we going to respond, and will we be prayed up?? Knock knock...
By Bill Haymin, Copyright 2006
The article below, seems to fit right in with the second chapter and verse 10 & 11, in the book of Revelation: "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation.... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."
This commentary by Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, also seems to fit in with what I see coming soon to the body of Christ in your local American neighborhoods, complements of your government. We will be tried and put in dire circumstances by those that have a different vision for America, and will be of particular concern for Christians and all political dissidents.
Most Christians knew it was coming if we were reading our Bible, and reading with discernment, [separating fact from fiction] what the underground press has been trying to inform we the people for some time now. It's just a lot closer than we thought.
"A Christian martyr is one who chooses to suffer death rather than to deny Christ or His work...sacrifices something very important to further the Kingdom of God...endures great suffering for Christian witness." Quote from V.O.M, ["Voice of the Martyrs]
Up until just a few weeks ago, I did not think a whole lot about the kind of suffering that the "Voice of the Martyrs" Magazine reports about, but Peggy did. Terrible Christian persecution is happening to much of the world right now, somewhere else, (I thought), as told about in their monthly magazine. Oh I have read and thought about it from time to time, but I felt for America, it was a ways off yet.
You maybe thinking to yourself about now, oh this will never happen here in America, and this guy is just off his nut. After all this is the land of the free and home of the brave, right??
But then I was reading news articles and commentary on the Net along with my Bible.....
I felt compelled to pick up this months issue of V.O.M., and I read the following article, and it all seemed to come together for me. Suddenly the issue of Christians being martyred for their faith in other countries, was not so far off and closer to home.
It took on a whole new meaning for me and for the rest of my brothers & sisters in Christ, living in America. Not just because of the article bellow, but because of my being impressed [which has been building over time] by the reality that we are no longer living in Christian America.
There may be many Christians in name only, not in producing the fruit that God wants of us like: love joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. [Gal. 22&23]
These qualities and values are what the world is waiting and wanting to see in us. But they come at a price. That price is our obedience to our God, and a death to self.
The values that Americans had and took for granted are not being reproduced in our children for many decades now. It really all started when public education was allowed to get a foothold in America. But We Christians both past and present let it happen. We are the true guardians of freedom.
We really shouldn't be so surprised when more things happen that we will hear about, that should show us that we are indeed living in the last hours of the last days. This is the way of all societies & peoples that reject Christ and his culture redeeming message. Read the following slowly with reflection, and let his comments sink in.
The Unreasonableness of God
by Rev. Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001), founder of (V.O.M) - "Voice of the Martyrs." He spent a total of 14 years in communistic prisons.
"I shared and viewed the sufferings of many fellow prisoners in an underground Communist prison. What intrigued us the most was that we did not obtain from heaven what it was obviously reasonable to expect: a slight improvement in our situation, food to quiet our hunger, and abatement of our cruel torture. We did not get what we expected because heaven is not - humanly speaking - reasonable.
Jesus said, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" (luke 15:7). This is surely not reasonable.
Nowhere does the Bible speak about the "reasonableness" of God, according to man's reasoning, but rather about His foolishness, ["Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."1 Corinthians 1:25]. He is unreasonable as are the thoughts of little children. Christ became a child and recommended that we become as children too.
Was it reasonable to sacrifice the unique Son of God for witless, dirty, dumb sheep? I have asked many shepherds what they would do if they saw a wolf. They all replied, "We would run for our lives." No man dies for sheep. Yet Jesus did. He died for beings worse than sheep - for those who denied and betrayed Him, for those who demanded His crucifixion. He died for His killers, for all who blaspheme and hate God.
Do not be surprised if you fail to get from God what you might reasonably expect. If He were truly reasonable, He would never listen to the prayers of people like us, nor would we have salvation.
Rather, God loves to the point of folly.
If you are in the sad situation of experiencing neither His reason, nor His mad love, you might consider the fact that in the parable of the ninety and nine, only the lost sheep had sure proof of His love and concern. the others could reasonably say they were neglected and abandoned. Those who are faithful should simply be glad that others experience His love to folly.
While in solitary confinement, I waited for years for God to come to my aid. In solitary we were happy about His mad love even in moments we were not its recipients.
Do not count on reasonableness in heaven and you will never be disappointed. Count only on the fact that there is One who loves you to such folly that He died for you. In response, forget about sweet reason and let yourself fall madly in love with Him." Copyright Voice of the Martyrs, 2006. www.persecution.com
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - [our soul is preserved & protected by God. No human or demon can touch our immortal soul.] always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." [2 Cor. 4:8 - 11]
Our days of living comfortable and in relative safety in America may be numbered. One day soon people of faith might wake up to find ourselves in some internment camp [just like Paul] or pilgrims in our own country. Or in heaven worshiping the only wise and true God who holds all things in his hands.
The question to ask ourselves now, and prepare for is, will we keep our faith in the midst of terrible persecution and great suffering? ..." Never the less when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?" [Luke. 18:8]
It's not reasonable to have to suffer for being a Christian as Richard Wurmbrand has said. But Jesus said: "In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." [John. 16:33]. He also said: "If they have persecuted me they will persecute you." [John. 15:20]. And: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [Heb. 13:5]
The Word of God also says: "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein." [Hosea. 14:9]
The hour is late, the time to prepare is now, not when things and circumstances are upon us. By preparing I mean growing and dealing with our emotional problems & sin areas of our life by starting right now. Allow the Lord to refine you by dying to self. Hold back when you want to give an angry response to a very trying situation. I am speaking to myself in saying all of this as well.
Actually, for those of us that have been Christians for a while now, have we been building on the foundation that is laid in Christ?
Proverbs. 22: 3 says in N.L.T.: "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences"
We can have the peace that passes ALL understanding, even in the midst of our tribulations and sufferings, if we are walking close to the Lord.
In scripture, God through the Prophets of old warned the people of coming events. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." [Hebrews. 11:7]
I'm not saying I am a Prophet, but I feel compelled with a sense of urgency, to share this message with my brothers & sisters in the Lord. It's later than we think!
"No truly authoritarian government can tolerate those who have a real absolute by which to judge its arbitrary absolutes, and who speak out and act upon that absolute. This was the issue with the early church in regard to the Roman Empire." Francis A. Schaeffer, from his book: "How Should We Then Live?" 1976.
"You must understand: It's going to cost you to take a stand on these things. There are doctors who are going to get kicked out of hospitals because they refuse to perform abortions; there are nurses who see a little sign on a crib that says, "Do not feed," and they feed and they are fired. There's a cost, but I'd ask you, what is loyalty to Christ worth to you? How much do you believe that this is true? And then, how much do you love the lord Jesus Christ? Are you willing to pay the price for loyalty to the Lord Jesus? This quote was taken from the 1982 address by Francis Schaeffer at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church titled: "The Reason For Our Moral Breakdown"
We need to be reminded that nothing in this life is worth losing our future life with God for. If we try to save our temporal life here by denying our faith, we will lose our heavenly life and rewards. [Matthew. 16:24 - 27]
We are all going to die one day, why not live out our life with conviction, even in the midst of facing our own possible death. Yes there is a price to pay for our faithfulness to Christ, but we will receive our heavenly reward. Remember this if some day you should find yourself in a potentially compromising situation.
In Germany, at the time Hitler was rounding up the Jews, there was this knock at their door. People were hauled off in the middle of the night from their dwellings. One day they were there in their homes, laughing and enjoying each other, and the next day they were gone.
We must realize it is going to cost us something for our faith, and not denying our precious Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
Authoritarian or totalitarian government is quickly becoming an issue and a reality, right now, right here, in America and will be increasing. How are we going to respond, and will we be prayed up?? Knock knock...
By Bill Haymin, Copyright 2006
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