Throughout scripture we read about how the early people of God were persecuted and many times killed for believing in Jesus Christ that he is the Son of God and that he is the only way you and I can get to heaven.

Those who reject Jesus as that, hate the people who do. When you think about it, why would anyone care if someone believes in Jesus and believes he’s the only way to heaven?

If I believe there is no God, or in Buddha, or in the tooth fairy, who cares? Go and live your life and leave me alone.

But why does it infuriate those who don’t believe in Christ to the point that they want us dead?  If they believe Jesus doesn’t exist or isn’t the only way to heaven, but we do, why should they care?

They care because when God created man, he left a void in every person that can only be filled with Jesus Christ, he then sent his Spirit into the world to convict every person to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour to fill that void.

The world knows the truth of who Christ is, and they don’t want to receive him and so they hate those who have!

They hate the void in their lives and they hate knowing their on their way to hell and so they lash out on those who have what they don’t.

They hate the void in their lives and so they try to fill it with all sorts of worldly pleasures in an attempt to fill it, but no matter what they try, drugs, booze, sex or fame, it cannot be filled.

And so they try alternative lifestyles,  amusements or working to build up financial success but no matter what they attempt to rid themselves of their guilt and emptiness, nothing works.

And so they try to make themselves happy by attacking believers.

I hate to use the word Christians anymore because our churches are full of people who have never received Christ as Saviour, calling themselves “Christians”  but are in pulpits and the pews leading others to hell. Today as strange as this may sound but we have “christians ” attacking believers.

When the Lord returns to rapture the church, if its on a Saturday, Sunday morning almost all churches will still be opened, although believers will be gone, christians will come to church.

Sounds confusing but a true believer is one who has accepted by faith, in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died on the cross, was buried and rose again the third day are the real Christians.  All others are fakes.

But because of this hatred for true believers that they have, they persecute believers in an attempt to shut us up and try to rid themselves of their guilt.

But persecution on believers isn’t always a bad thing, it wakes us up,  it draws us closer to our Saviour and through it, be can have even a closer relationship with God.

Persecution, refines the church and draws true believers together into a tight knit community who become strengthened to keep working and walking with Jesus.

Persecution, cleanses our hearts to rid ourselves from worldly things and lifestyles.

Persecution drives the false christians out of the church, ever notice when a church goes through tough times, how many leave?  Its called a back door revival, God removing the wolves so the sheep can serve and be strengthened.

Persecution if you really boil it all down, is really good for the church, it purifies it, cleans out the sin and leaves those who really love the Lord to do his will.

Don’t fear or run from persecution, embrace it, let God have his will done through it, because God always has a purpose for it.

Trust God, walk with Jesus, keep the faith because the church is about to be purified as persecution against believers will intensify over the next coming years.