Pray for the Persecuted Church!

The apostle John tells us in his first epistle;
Children, it is the last hour ; and just as you heard that Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have appeared ; from this we know that it is the last hour (1 John 2:18).
From the Voice of Martyrs
www.persecution..org


The book of Revelation is a book that talks mostly about future events that will take place during a literal seven year period at the end of the world, as we know it.  It is a book of judgement of unbelievers and vindication. of those who are saved.
There is a  judgement on unbelieving Israel because  they rejected Him as  the true Messiah when He visited our planet;  He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him (John 1:11). The tribulation is  also called the "Time of Jacob's Trouble."  During that time God will refine Israel through judgment and then at the end of the tribulation, all of Israel will be saved;  For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.   And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Romans 11:25, 26). 

 And there  also will be  judgement on the whole world!
I believe that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is  when He lands on the Mount of Olives at the end of the seven year tribulation. It is distinct from the rapture. We are not in the tribulation period now but we do suffer persecution for our faith in Christ and we have to endure tribulation throughout our lives. Today  true church of real regenerate Christians  are being thrown into prison, beaten, tortured and killed. Their captors often ask them to deny Christ as Savior.  They do not and their blood becomes the seed of the church as the gospel spreads.
Some ask, "why does your ministry talk about Christians being persecuted.?"  Look at the Scripture at the top of,this blog and you will have your answer.
I believe that the rapture will occur before the seven year period begins.  It will be a taking up of the true church to Heaven. Please look up, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

 My goal in this blog is to encourage Christians who are experiencing persecution and to exhort those who are not to pray for them and exhort and encourage them. And another goal is to warn unbelievers that certain doom awaits them and they can be saved through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:13 says,     Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree).   Steve Bloem



Iran—Christians Jailed for Their Faith
Sources: VOM Sources and Mohabat News

Iranian Christians are requesting prayer for their country following a series of arrests just as the government released some prisoners in an effort to appear more liberal. At least 20 Christians, mainly from Muslim backgrounds, were detained in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and Tabriz. As a sign that he is politically progressive, the government of incoming President Hassan Rouhani pardoned and then released 11 prisoners of conscience from prison on Sept. 20. The next day, the family of imprisoned Pastor Behnam Irani went to meet with a judge in Karaj, Iran. Pastor Behnam’s family asked the judge to pardon him and allow him to be released like the other prisoners of conscience. The judge denied the request, and stated that Behnam had to serve his six years of prison and that the only way he would be pardoned and released from prison was if he repented and returned to Islam.

Indonesia—Former Muslim Holds Fast to Christ
Source: VOM Sources

 

A Muslim background believer from Bandung, Indonesia, has stood fast despite persecution for his faith. “Bagus” was a Muslim cleric for most of his life, until five years ago when he converted to Christianity during a search for “peace in his life.” Upon his conversion, Bagus’ four sons, including their families, would have nothing to do with him. Bagus’wife had passed away earlier, and he remarried a Christian woman. Even though the woman was 60 years old, after her marriage to Bagus, her father came and forced her to leave the home. Bagus has now lost all of his family, friends and worldly goods. A Muslim friend took him in, giving Bagus a place to live. When Bagus was asked why he converted, he said, “I was looking for peace. I had no peace in Islam, but now I have peace all the time.”

 

Central Asia—Christian Woman Thrown out of Home
Source: VOM Sources
“Glenna,” a Christian woman in Central Asia, was recently kicked out of her home by neighbors, a VOM worker reported. Glenna’s husband passed away two years ago, leaving her with three small children and a baby on the way. Shortly after, her landlord discovered she was a Christian and kicked her and her children out of their apartment. She was able to find a new place to live and was given a job as a kids’ club leader. However, recently, her neighbors again had Glenna evicted because of her Christian behavior. Even so, Glenna said, “It is important to love those that hate and persecute you.” As of last week, the Lord provided a new place for Glenna and her children to live. Please pray for their continued witness.

Tanzania—VOM Project

Pray for 250 Muslim background believers and new converts in Zanzibar. VOM helps prepare them to share the gospel with Muslims by supporting two leader-training conferences. Many of these believers have been expelled from their families.

Colombia—VOM Project

Pray for provision and encouragement for widows who lost husbands because of their faith and for VOM’s support of them.


If you would like to read the rest of our story, which is a personal, clinical and biblical lookat the Christian and Mental Illness, please go to http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187