CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

1 PETER 4:7 SAYS “BUT THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND; BE YE THEREFORE SOBER, AND WATCH UNTO PRAYER”.

* THE NEXT EVENT ON GOD’S CALENDAR IS THE RETURN OF THE LORD FOR HIS CHURCH AND IT MAY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME.

* WE AS CHRISTIANS MUST KEEP OUR EYES HEAVENWARD,

“LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND SAVIOUR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST” TIT.2:13.

* THE BOOK OF REVELATION OPENS WITH A MESSAGE FOCUSING ON THE SEVEN LOCAL CHURCHES LOCATED IN AN AREA CALLED ASIA AT THAT TIME, MOST PROBABLY PRESENT DAY TURKEY.

* ONLY SEVEN CHURCHES ARE MENTIONED EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE MORE CHURCHES.

* SEVEN IS GOD’S NUMBER OF PERFECTION.

* THE NUMBER ALSO PICTURES SEVEN DIFFERENT SETS OF CONDITIONS IN THOSE LOCAL CHURCHES AND IN THE CHURCHES TODAY.

* THE BOOK OF REVELATION CHAPTER 1 OPENS WITH JOHN RECEIVING A BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE OF GRACE, PEACE AND JOY FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRSIT.

* THEN REV I:7 ANNOUNCES THE LORD’S RETURN TO EARTH.

* EVERY EYE SEES HIM, WHICH IS WHY THIS GREAT EVENT IS DESCRIBED AS THE “REVELATION” OR THE REVEALING OF CHRIST.

* WHEN “THE LIGHTENING COMETH OUT OF THE EAST AND SHINETH EVEN UNTO THE WEST” (MT.24:27) ALL EYES SHALL SEE HIM.

* “ALL KINDREDS OF THE EARTH SHALL WAIL BECAUSE OF JUDGEMENT AND NONE WILL ESCAPE”.JUDE 14

* JOHN WAS IN THE SPIRIT ON THE LORD’S DAY.

* ARE YOU ALWAYS IN THE SPIRIT? WILL YOU BE IN THE SPIRIT ON THE LORD’S DAY.

* HE WAS COMMANDED BY THE LORD’S VOICE TO WRITE DOWN CERTAIN CRUCIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. REV.1:10-11

WE ARE STUDYING THE MESSAGES THAT THE LORD SENT TO THE CHURCHES IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION
WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS AND WE HAVE GOT A BLESSED PROMISE FROM THE LORD AS WE PRAYED CONCERNING HIS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CHURCH IN REV.2:1-7
NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA, KNOWN AS THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
REV 2:8-11
8 AND UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA WRITE; THESE THINGS SAITH THE FIRST AND THE LAST, WHICH WAS DEAD, AND IS ALIVE;
9 I KNOW THY WORKS, AND TRIBULATION, AND POVERTY, (BUT THOU ART RICH) AND I KNOW THE BLASPHEMY OF THEM WHICH SAY THEY ARE JEWS, AND ARE NOT, BUT ARE THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN.
10 FEAR NONE OF THOSE THINGS WHICH THOU SHALT SUFFER: BEHOLD, THE DEVIL SHALL CAST SOME OF YOU INTO PRISON, THAT YE MAY BE TRIED; AND YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION TEN DAYS: BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE.
11 HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES; HE THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL NOT BE HURT OF THE SECOND DEATH.
THE SMYRNA CHURCH SUFFERED THE GREATEST PERSECUTION IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY.
THEY FAITHFULLY PERFORMED THEIR WORKS IN THE LORD’S NAME.
THEY FACED, POVERTY; HUNGER AND TRIBULATION.
SMYRNA CHURCH MEMBERS WERE FED TO LIONS.
MUCH OF SMYRNA’S PERSECUTION CAME THROUGH FALSE BRETHREN AND FALSE DOCTRINE.
FALSE PREACHERS DESPISED THE TRUE BELIEVERS AND PERSECUTION CAME FROM WITHIN AND FROM OUTSIDE.
THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST TO SMYRNA AND TO ALL WHO FACE PERSECUTION AND HARDSHIP IS: “FEAR NOT THOSE THINGS WHICH THOU SHALT SUFFER…BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH…AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE”. REV.2:10
MANY COME TO CHRIST THEY LOVE HIM, BUT ARE SOON CUT OFF BY THOSE WHO MOCK AND PERSECUTE THEM
BIBLE RECORDS SCORES OF EXAMPLES OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION AND TRIBULATIONS AND VARIOUS TROUBLES
JESUS WAS PERSECUTED AND SO WERE ALL HIS DISCIPLES JOHN 15:18-20
HE WARNS US NOT TO GO BACK FROM HIM INTO THE WORLD BECAUSE OF PERSECUTION
MATHEW 24:12-13 .MATHEW 10:24-39 YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR STAND FOR JESUS CHRIST
YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO FEAR OR BACKSLIDE BECAUSE OF PERSECUTION
IT IS BETTER TO BE ON THE SIDE OF GOD AT ALL TIMES .IT IS ALSO SAFER FOR IF GOD BE FOR YOU NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST YOU. ROMANS 8:28-39: MATHEW 10:40-42
YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT WHEN YOU ARE PERSECUTED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE YOU ARE ACTUALLY BEING BLESSED LUKE 6:22-23
WHEN THEY PERSECUTE, REJECT OR CALL YOU NAMES FOR CHRIST’S SAKE YOU SHOULD REJOICE
BECAUSE THEY ARE IDENTIFYING YOU WITH THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORD’S
THE LORD SAYS YOU SHOULD BE CONCERNED IF PEOPLE LOVE YOU TOO MUCH, OR IF YOU ARE TOO POPULAR. LK.6:26
ACTS 5:40-42 THE DISCIPLE REJOICED WHEN THEY WERE BEATEN FOR CHRIST’S SAKE
THEY WERE NOT ASHAMED OR DEPRESSED THEY COUNTED IT AS HONOUR

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN PERSECUTED AND REJECTED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE?

I MUST REJOICE – LK.6:22-23
I MUST FORGIVE AND I MUST PRAY FOR MY PERSECUTORS’ SALVATION MATHEW 5:43-44
I MUST PRAY FOR GOD’S HELP – ACTS.4:23-37
I MUST PRAISE GOD – ACTS 6:20-31
I MUST DETERMINE TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND WALK CLOSER TO GOD
GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU
THERE ARE MANY MORE WITH YOU THAT WITH YOUR PERSECUTORS 2 KINGS 6:8-17
YOU ARE NOT ALONE, ANGELS SURROUND YOU 24/7
YOU CANNOT SEE THEM PHYSICALLY BUT THEY ARE THERE
DAVID SAYS THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND SALVATION PS.27:1-4

WHY SHOULD GOD ALLOW PERSECUTION?

THE BENEFITS OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

PERSECUTION ENCOURAGES CHURCH GROWTH AND CHRISTIAN EMPOWERMENT
WE ARE ACTUALLY EMPOWERED BY PERSECUTION
HOW ARE WE EMPOWERED BY PERSECUTION?
YOUR ABILITY TO FORGIVE, LOVE AND PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMY IS WHERE YOUR EMPOWERMENT BEGINS
PERSECUTORS ACTUALLY HELP YOU TO DEVELOP THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ROMANS 5:1-5) ACTS 16:25-31
WHEN PERSECUTED WE LEARN TO DEPEND ON GOD’S HELP AND ALSO TO PRAISE HIM WHEN DELIVERED. ACTS. 4:1-3, 18-31 ACTS 5:17-29;
PERSECUTION ENCOURAGES CHURCH GROWTH ACTS 8:1-8;

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL POWER OR EMPOWERMENT?

GOD IS THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF POWER PS.62:11

1) SPIRITUAL POWER IS TO HAVE THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST IN YOU COL.2:9

*IT MEANS NOT GETTING ANGRY, NOT GETTING SORROWFUL, NOT GETTING WEARY, NOT GIVING UP

2) SPIRITUAL POWER IS THE ABILITY TO GO THE SECOND MILE. MT 5:41

3) SPIRITUAL POWER IS THE ABILITY TO LOVE THE UNLOVABLE

4) SPIRITUAL POWER IS THE ABILITY TO DIE SO CHRIST CAN REIGN

5) SPIRITUAL POWER IS TO BE UNPOLLUTED BY THIS PRESENT WORLD

6) SPIRITUAL POWER IS CHRIST DEPENDING ON YOU TO CARRY OUT HIS WILL AT THESE END TIMES

7) SPIRITUAL POWER IS POWER TO HEAR, FEAR AND OBEY GOD

8) SPIRITUAL POWER IS ACCESS TO GOD THROUGH FAITH IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST

9) SPIRITUAL POWER IS TO HAVE THE FLESH UNDER CONTROL

10) SPIRITUAL POWER IS BEING CONSTANTLY FILLED WITH HOLY GHOST

11) IT IS ABILITY TO MOVE IN SPIRITUAL GIFT

12) IT IS ABILITY TO PUT YOUR ENEMY TO FIGHT

SPIRITUAL POWER IS DIFFERENT FROM SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY – JOHN14:20-22
ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE AUTHORITY THAT IS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
AUTHORITY ALSO COMES FROM FAITH IN GOD’S WORD
THE CENTURION SAID TO JESUS JUST SEND THE WORD AND MY SERVANT SHALL BE HEALED
PSALM 107:20 SAYS HE SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED US AND DELIVERED US ALL FROM OUR DESTRUCTION
BUT YOU CAN HAVE AUTHORITY WITHOUT POWER
POWER COMES ACCORDING TO YOUR LEVEL OF YOUR LOVE FOR GOD,HIS WORD AND THE PEOPLE HE DIED FOR
BROKENNESS, SELF- CRUCIFIXION AND SELF DENIAL, HUMILITY, LOVE AND COMPASSION AND UNCOMPROMISING OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND HIS WORD ARE ALL POWER GENERATORS
POWER MUST HAVE SUFFICIENT MIGHT TO PUNISH DISOBEDIENT AUTHORITY
POWER IS BY LIVING ACCORDING TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY GHOST
AUTHORITY WITHOUT POWER IS DANGEROUS
MANY SAY TO DEMONS “I BIND YOU IN JESUS NAME”, BUT WITHOUT ANY POWER
IT IS ONLY BROKENESS AND PRAYERFULNESS THAT CAN LEAD TO POWER
THIS IS THE MAIN REASON WHY GOD ALLOWS US TO BE PERSECUTED
YOU MUST ENJOY PRAYER AND PRAYING IF YOU WANT TO OPERATE IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST
YOUR PRAYER TIME MUST NOT BE MISSED ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU FACE PERSECUTION
YOU MUST DENY YOURSELF AND PRAY EVEN WHEN IT’S NOT CONVENIENT
PRAYERLESSNESS IS SPIRITUAL WASTAGE AND IT IS UNPROFITABLENESS TO CHRIST
PRAYERLESSNESS WILL LEAD TO POWERLESSNESS
POWERLESSNESS IS THE FOUNDATION FOR SLAVERY AND BONDAGE
WHERE ARE THE INTERCESSORS AND THE PROPHETESSES?
WHERE ARE OUR DELIVERANCE MINISTERS?
WHERE ARE OUR PRAYER WARRIORS AND EVANGELISTS?
POWERLESSNESS IS SPIRITUAL INSULT AND INJURY
WE ALWAYS NEED FRESH FIRE IN ORDER TO OVERCOME POWERLESSNESS.
THEREFORE PERSECUTION IS A NECESSARY INGREDIENT, ACTS 4 23-31 MK. 10:29:30
PERSECUTION WILL DRIVE YOU TO YOUR KNEES
PERSECUTION WILL DRIVE YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
PERSECUTION WILL DRIVE DEMONS OUT OF YOU
PERSECUTION WILL DRIVE JESUS CHRIST INTO YOU
PERSECUTION WILL DRIVE THE HOLY GHOST INTO YOU
PERSECUTION WILL DRIVE GOD THE FATHER INTO YOU

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN PERSECUTED AND REJECTED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

* LUKE 9: 51-56

AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN THE TIME WAS COME THAT HE SHOULD BE RECEIVED UP, HE STEDFASTLY SET HIS FACE TO GO TO JERUSALEM,
52 AND SENT MESSENGERS BEFORE HIS FACE: AND THEY WENT, AND ENTERED INTO A VILLAGE OF THE SAMARITANS, TO MAKE READY FOR HIM.
AND THEY DID NOT RECEIVE HIM, BECAUSE HIS FACE WAS AS THOUGH HE WOULD GO TO JERUSALEM.
AND WHEN HIS DISCIPLES JAMES AND JOHN SAW THIS, THEY SAID, LORD, WILT THOU THAT WE COMMAND FIRE TO COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, AND CONSUME THEM, EVEN AS ELIAS DID?
BUT HE TURNED, AND REBUKED THEM, AND SAID, YE KNOW NOT WHAT MANNER OF SPIRIT YE ARE OF.FOR THE SON OF MAN IS NOT COME TO DESTROY MEN’S LIVES, BUT TO SAVE THEM. AND THEY WENT TO ANOTHER VILLAGE.

* THE LORD CORRECTED THIS ELIJAH’S ATTITUDE IN THE DISCIPLES

* AND THEY LATER CHANGED

* I BELIEVE WE NEED TO LET HIM CORRECT US TOO

* I REALISE THAT WE HAVE NO REDEMPTION PLAN FOR WITCHES AT ALL

* JUST KNOW THAT THEY ARE JUST DECEIVED BY SATAN AND THEY NEED PRAYERS

* IF THEY WIILL NOT REPENT GOD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU AND YOU WILL BE SORRY FOR THEM 2 C0R 10:4

* GOD SAYS VENGEANCE IS MINE ROMANS 12:14-21

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
IN THE BOOK OF ACTS THE DISCIPLE REJOICED WHEN THEY WERE BEATEN FOR CHRIST’S SAKE ACTS 5:40-42
THEY WERE NOT ASHAMED OR DEPRESSED THEY COUNTED IT AS HONOUR TO BE BEATEN FOR CHRIST’S SAKE
THEY WERE ACTUALLY REJOICING
O WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN WE ARE PERSECUTED?

WE MUST REJOICE AND PRAY ALWAYS– LK.6:22-23
WE MUST FORGIVE AND WE MUST PRAY FOR MY PERSECUTORS’ SALVATION MATHEW 5:43-44
WE MUST PRAY FOR GOD’S HELP – ACTS.4:23-37
WE MUST PRAISE GOD – ACTS 6:20-31
WE MUST DETERMINE TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND WALK CLOSER TO GOD
WE MUST OBEY HIS INSTRUCTION CONCERNING THE PERSECUTORS OR THE PLACE OF PERSECUTION
GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU
THERE ARE MANY MORE WITH YOU THAT WITH YOUR PERSECUTORS 2 KINGS 6:8-17
YOU ARE NOT ALONE, ANGELS SURROUND YOU 24/7
YOU CANNOT SEE THEM PHYSICALLY BUT THEY ARE THERE
DAVID SAYS THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD IN PS 23
IN PS.27:1-4 THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND SALVATION OF WHOM SHOULD I BE AFRAID

MINISTRATION

PRAISES
PRAYER: REPENT FROM FEAR AND SELF LOVE
PRAY FOR ALL YOUR PERSECUTORS
RAW POWER OF GOD COME UPON ME NOW IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
POWER FROM ON HIGH INCUBATE MY LIFE TO THE NAME OF JESUS
WICKED ARROWS OF PERSECUTION JUMP OUT OF MY LIFE IN JESUS NAME
SONG: “JUMP OUT OH JUMP OUT (X2)EVIL ARROWS IN MY BODY JUMP OUT
THE ANGELS THAT DELIVERED PETER FROM THE PRISON OF PERSECUTION DELIVER ME NOW
THE ANGEL THAT BROKE THE CHAINS OF PAUL AND SILAS BREAK ALL MY CHAINS IN JESUS NAME
CLOSED DOORS FROM PERSECUTORS OPEN BY THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

IS.45:1-3

(PRAYERS)

3a).OH LORD DELIVER ME FROM THE HEROD AND THE HAMAN OF THIS WORLD

3b). DELIVER MY FAMILY, DELIVER MY CHURCHDELIVER MY NATIONSFROM THE ARROWS OF PERSECUTION

3c). HEAVENLY FATHER,WE THANK YOU FOR OUR WORKS AND TRIBULATION AND SEEMING POVERTY,IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.THANK YOU FOR THE RICHES WE HAVE IN YOU.THANK YOU LORD THAT THE SPIRIT OF BLASPHEMY CANNOT PREVAIL AGAINST YOUR CHURCH IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WE BIND THE SPIRIT OF BLASPHEMY AND SET IT ABLAZE IN JESUS NAME ( PRAY IN TONGUES)

3d). HOLY SPIRIT PLEASE GRANT US THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ESPECIALLY PERSEVERANCE ,LONGSUFFERING AND PATIENCE IN EVERY FORM OF TRIBULATION AND PERSECUTION OR ANY KIND OF SUFFERING IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.HOLY SPIRIT HELP US NEVER TO BE WEARY OR TIRED BUT TO BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH THAT WE MIGHT OVERCOME,AND NOT BE HURT BY THE SECOND DEATH AND THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE FROM THE LORD OUR SAVIOUR IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST ( PRAY DEEPLY IN TONGUES)

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