If you’re paying attention to the news, we are living in very trying times. It was Thomas Paine who, during the American Revolution, wrote “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
He was born in England but fully supported the American Revolution. He understood trying times. Had the revolution failed, the men who were the leaders would have been executed. Many times in history, people who led a “radical” movement faced persecution and death. The first Christians certainly did. They were born into the Jewish culture and faith, but born again into faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because they would not be persuaded to deny Christ, many were martyred.
Christianity began in Jerusalem, God’s holy city. At the time, the Jewish temple stood there, and it was the center of Jewish life. People made friendships, business deals were agreed upon, sacrifices were done according to Jewish law, and the Jewish people thrived. If someone decided to reject the faith, they were disowned by their family and not allowed into the temple. An example is found in Scripture.
A man who was born blind was healed by Jesus on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were very upset over this. Never mind that a man could now see; the problem was it was done on the Sabbath. So, they prosecuted the man and brought in his parents as a witness. They agreed that the man was their son and he was born blind, but they told the Pharisees to ask their son because he was old enough to speak for himself.
“These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him” (John 9:22-23).
The parents were more concerned about losing their rights in the synagogue than finding joy that their son was healed. I wonder what great things this man accomplished in his life. He knew that Jesus had done a miracle in his life, and wouldn’t deny the truth. Was he one who fled Jerusalem to avoid persecution? Was he one whom Saul was hunting down when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus? We will never know, but God does, and that’s what matters.
Certainly, there have been trying times and persecution from the beginning of Christianity, and we are facing those trying times again.
Jesus didn’t cover up the fact that His followers would face trying times. His disciples had followed Him for a long time and had seen the good things He had done. They also saw how the Jewish leaders despised Him. Did they think they were exempt from persecution? In His final talk with the men who would carry the Gospel to the world, Jesus spoke frankly with them.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Jesus knew the men He had chosen and knew they would be faithful. They would stand firm and not stray from God’s perfect truth. He also knew that they would be persecuted and martyred. The persecution never stopped, and many people have faced trying times because of their faith in Jesus. Mostly, it comes from religious fanatics who want to kill everybody who doesn’t follow the dictated religion. I’m thinking of Muslims, but there have always been fanatical people who want to stop the Truth Christ offers. Of course, Satan is behind the hatred.
Many Christians are disowned by their family, even in non-Muslim countries. It isn’t always easy, but when persecution happens, we need to remember that we can still find peace in Jesus. He faced persecution and was ultimately killed. He sacrificed Himself willingly because He knew His shed blood was the only way for humans to be fully forgiven for sin. If you’ve accepted Christ for salvation, find peace in Him and don’t be overwhelmed by the trying times in which we live. Jesus has overcome the world.
One of the most touching accounts of persecution is that of Stephen. He must have been a very special person to know. He loved the Lord and served Him to the best of his abilities. As the Christian faith grew in Jerusalem, the Apostles found it was necessary to choose men to serve the people’s needs. These men had to be full of the Holy Ghost.
“And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch” (Acts 6:5).
This was a very important position, and the choice was made only after much prayer. Because of this, the Christian faith grew. “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8).
Then the persecution began. Certain men disputed with Stephen, but Stephen was full of wisdom and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. So, the only way Satan could stop Stephen was by lies. Men were hired to tell lies stating Stephen had committed blasphemy. This stirred up the Jewish leadership, and Stephen was arrested. False witnesses were brought in to testify against Stephen.
“And they stirred up the people and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, and set up false witnesses, which said This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us” (Acts 6:12-14).
Once again Satan twisted words and caused trouble. Stephen was given a chance to speak at this mock trial, and he recounted Jewish history beginning with Abraham. God loves the nation of Israel, gave them the Promised Land, and He still loves them. Stephen laid out a simple history lesson of Israel and how it leads to Jesus. He also told of the many failures of the Jewish leaders to honor God. His testimony didn’t make any of his accusers happy.
“When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and thy gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:54-55).
The accusers didn’t want to hear truth. Stephen was stoned to death for his faith. “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling upon God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).
A very interesting person was there listening and holding the coats of those who hurled the stones; a man who would violently persecute Christians. It was Saul. It took some time, but Saul met Jesus, and his life was forever changed. He became known as the Apostle Paul who served Jesus with his full heart.
Brothers and sisters, we never know who might be watching us and hearing our testimony. If we keep Jesus first, we just might plant seeds that will bring someone to salvation. We live in trying times and have many opportunities to openly show our faith to others. Forgive those who persecute you. Jesus forgave those who hung Him on the cross, and He is our example.
Persecution hasn’t stopped, and in fact, it gets worse every day. Even nations that once were Christian nations seem to be making Christianity illegal. I’m including the USA in that statement. Why is it that a drag queen can read stories to children in the school library, but a Christian cannot read to them?
When my daughter was in public school, one of her teachers was supposedly a Christian, but at a parent-teacher conference, I brought up Jesus, and she became very distressed. It seems the teacher next door was a Jehovah’s Witness and would turn her in if he heard us talking. He, of course, would hand out literature to his students, and that was fine. Not long after that, my husband and I decided to homeschool. That was a very good decision on our part.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Parents must lead by example and stand for Jesus in spite of persecution. Did Stephen have parents who loved Jesus and taught him to stand firm? Scripture doesn’t say, but there’s no doubt he was taught well. His faith stands as an example to Christians today. Don’t fear persecution, and forgive those who persecute you. Live your life as a testimony of Christ living in you.
Today, the entire world is facing very trying times. There’s no doubt that Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled quickly. In America, many Christians seem to think that Scripture centers around the USA. It doesn’t. The center of all Scripture and prophecy is Israel. God has given us prophecy so that we can read the signs and know where we are in history. There are many very disturbing prophecies, and we seem to be smack-dab in the midst of them being fulfilled.
It’s important to remember that the church age is temporary on Earth and about to end. It started soon after Christ’s crucifixion, and will end at the Rapture. Israel, on the other hand, began when God called Abraham, and it will have to live through the most trying times that have ever happened. Anybody who thinks the church will face the Tribulation doesn’t understand that God hasn’t forgotten Israel. It’s Israel that will go through the Great Tribulation, as well as Gentiles who haven’t accepted Jesus for salvation.
It may seem very trying today as we wait to be called Home, but it will continue to get worse. Every Christian needs to be a living testimony for Christ. We all know people who reject Christ. People who, like those who accused Stephen, plug their ears so they won’t hear truth. These just may be the people who will come to faith after the Rapture… during the Tribulation. They will face very trying times.
John records that during the Tribulation, anyone who is seen as having faith in Jesus will be beheaded. They aren’t a part of the church age, so they will not have been Raptured. They will be martyred for their faith.
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).
If someone has presented you with the Gospel, but you don’t want to give up your sin and think you’ll wait until you’re old to accept Him, let me warn you that you’re playing with fire. Christians may face trying times, but we will not face God’s wrath during the Tribulation. We won’t have to make the choice whether or not to take the Mark of the Beast. The pre-tribulation Rapture is the blessed hope that only true Christians have.
Times are tough now as we see all things are being set in place for the Tribulation. The Covid scare was a foreshadowing of people taking the Mark of the Beast, and the rumors of wars we hear about will continue to become reality. Artificial Intelligence is an amazing tool that fascinates many people, but it will be used by the Anti-Christ to control humanity.
There’s much to fear in this life, but so much peace to be found in knowing Jesus. Stephen faced trying times and was the victor through Christ. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to give us power over all fear.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).