The Daily Word of Righteousness

An Examination of Current Teaching, #21

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:35-37)

Why have the saints not been "raptured" during the seasons of torture and martyrdom? Where does it state in the Bible that the saints of the last days will be "raptured" so they will not suffer as have the Christians of history?

In fact, there has been great suffering on the part of the Christians of the twentieth century, and the persecution of thousands of Christians continues to this very day.

It is obvious that part of God's plan is that Christians experience suffering.

Sometimes believers are being taught God loves them so much He will not allow them to suffer, while at the same time the very people being addressed are suffering every imaginable kind of distress.

During the recent "faith" emphasis, people were told that if they had faith they would never suffer. I guess the Apostle Paul was lacking in faith.

The truth is, the Christian churches of America are preaching and teaching that which is not in the Scriptures. It is a people-pleasing, ear-tickling gospel designed to bring as many people into the churches as possible. Such people will never stand for the idea that to be a Christian we have to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

Our nation is in sore need of revival. We are backslidden. We are lukewarm. We are not carrying our cross as we should. Our doctrine is so far removed from the Scriptures as to be unrecognizable.

What is to be done? I am not certain. My hope is that the young people will become acquainted with the Scriptures and utterly forsake the lies of Dispensational teaching. My generation to a great extent is lost in the foolishness of the flesh. Perhaps our only hope is in the young people and children that they will turn to Jesus and really serve Him in righteousness and holiness, being sternly obedient to God in all matters.

Let us all pray to this end. Otherwise our nation will be destroyed and God will look elsewhere to build His Kingdom.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11,12)

You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. (Luke 21:16,17)

Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. (Acts 14:22)

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, (Philippians 1:29)

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians 3:10)

To be continued.