What do you know about persecuted

Christians in the 21 st Century?

Do you realize that persecution is a terrible problem for a multitude of

Christians today? In fact, by the time you have looked through this section,

it is very likely that Christians somewhere in the world will have died for

their faith! Because of this I implore you to remember in your prayers, our

brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world who are suffering for

their love of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is reliably calculated that more

Christians have died for their faith in the last 100 years than in all the

previous centuries COMBINED! Yes, you read that right, COMBINED!

If you are surprised, then you are not alone. However, are you aware that

Jesus spoke about this on many occasions? But, when did you last hear

any in-depth reference to His words in your church?

Consider what we know of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:1–12 (NIV84) —

1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat

down. His disciples came to him,

2 and he began to teach them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will

be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

All very familiar right? But there are two more, Jesus continues:

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for

theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say

all kinds of evil against you because of me.

I ask you, have you ever heard a sermon on vv 10 and v11?

Elsewhere we hear the Lord say:

John 15:18–21 (NIV84) — 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it

hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.

As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the

world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to

you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will

persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know

the One who sent me.

Such teaching is also echoed by the Apostles, so writes Paul to Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:12–13 (NIV84) — 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a

godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and

impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

All such teaching seems so foreign to us in the USA. But it is not foreign at

all to those in Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, Russia, China and all of

Islam. Do you know that the most dangerous country in the world to be a

Christian in is in fact Nigeria, a developed, industrialized African nation,

followed by North Korea? Things do not look so good in Western Europe

either. Politicians and peaceful protesters are being prosecuted and

imprisoned for stating views that are in fact mainline Christian beliefs and

practices.

Plainly, persecution of Christians is not a problem lost in the past. It is very,

very, real for many today and we should be constant in praying for our

brothers and sisters throughout the world. To help you do that please click

on the various links posted below. These are from trustworthy

organizations actively engaged and helping today. Please read what they

report and pray.