DO NOT BE SURPRISED (A Word Of Warning For The Time To Come)

[TLSITD]

Do not be surprised...
​

When multitudes of Christians take the mark of the beast. When pastors, friends and loved ones, who may or may not in fact be born again, take the mark and try to persuade you to do the same---telling you whatever they may to justify their actions and to persuade you: "For the sake of your children! What sort of parent would allow their children to go hungry! Is that what God would want? Do you think He is a monster, that it would be His will for His children to suffer, and innocent children, to not be able to eat or to lose their home, because their parents---who are responsible to provide for and protect them---refuse to take a mark? Didn't Jesus say that He would never leave us or forsake us, and that nothing can separate us from His love?"


Beware. People who will tell you these things are deceived themselves, and even being used of the devil, unbeknownst to them, to try to convince you to do what will be your undoing. You will save neither yourselves nor your children by taking the mark, and you will perish spiritually. Do not be deceived. Remember Eve.


And do not be surprised if church buildings all over the world, from the smallest to the greatest, are razed or set on fire, by order or encouragement of the government of the antichrist---as though God has turned His back on His people. The truth of it is that He hated what was being done in them, and they were an abomination to Him and an insult to His name; and by the hands of wicked men, He ordained that they should be destroyed and set on fire, as a testimony to the whole world that they did not honor Him and that He was not pleased with what was being done in them in His name: All the abominations that you now see in the churches, and the apostasy, in perverting the gospel and departing from and twisting the teachings of the faith, and making them whatever people want them to be to serve their own ends and to allow them to carry out the evil and unholy desires of their flesh and of their minds.


And on top of all of these abominations, which you now see, there will be yet another---the greatest of them all---when the people of God forsake Him and take the mark of the beast to save their lives on earth, and to avoid persecution, and when they bow down with the nations to worship the image of the antichrist: The abomination that makes desolate. And so shall they be left when they do it. The very thing that God declares in His word will happen to anyone who does this abomination, will happen to them also---though they quote every verse in the Bible to justify their faithlessness and rebellion, as they do now for other things.


So bear in mind, if and when the church buildings are destroyed, that it was the hand of your God that did it, through the hands of evil men, and His own mouth that gave the command---just as it was in the days of those who were before us, who we have as an example in the Scriptures, but fail to understand that we are following in their footsteps. It will not be because Satan has triumphed, that they will be torn down or set on fire, but because of the evil of God's people that they will be torn down, by God's own will. And it will be a testimony to the whole world, and to you, that this is so---that you may be ashamed of your rebellious ways and of your flagrant sins, and self-deception, and of the abominations that you used these houses for, and the sins you kept fresh in them, while calling on the name of the Lord and praising Him, to His dishonor and displeasure.


And do not be deceived by the many Christians---true or professing---who will take the mark and try to persuade you to do the same, telling you that no harm will come to you. They will be deceived. Believe the words of your God, and not the words of men over God's, as you have made a habit of doing.


We have good reason to believe that the very same thing that happened to the sanctuaries of Israel whenever they rebelled against the LORD will happen to us also, for the same reason. So no one should be surprised if it does. God is consistent in His ways.


And if and when the people of this world rejoice and mock at the destruction of them, saying that it is because the God of the Christians is not God and because Christians are not the people of God that the churches are razed and God does not prevent it or take vengeance on those who destroy them, remember that it is because God was displeased with the churches that He commanded that they be destroyed, and not because He has no power to prevent it. He never wanted them. He always wanted the hearts and lives of His people---but He got buildings instead, and sacrifice instead of obedience. And all manner of evil was being committed in the churches in His name.


The nations may exult over the destruction of the churches, but they will be foolish in doing so; for if the judgment of God begins at His household and sanctuary, and He does not spare His own people who rebel against Him, what will He do to those who have never known Him and have not obeyed the gospel? The cup of His wrath will come around to them also.

 

[TLSITD]

What the Lord said to His people then:



Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the flesh. For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices.

But this command I gave them: 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.'

But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward...

"So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you.

And you shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.

" 'Cut off your hair and cast it away;

raise a lamentation on the bare heights,

for the LORD has rejected and forsaken

the generation of His wrath.'

(JEREMIAH 7:21-24,27-29 ESV)



What do you think He is saying to His people now?



(Read the prophets, and see for yourselves that the spirit and ways of most of God's people today parallels that of the people of Israel in the time of the prophets. You know what God did then; what do you think He is getting ready to do to those who are following in the footsteps of those who were given to us as an example of what NOT to do?)

 

[Christ_empowered]

this is interesting. with many 'mainline' denominations throwing out Scripture, I could see this happening. Their numbers have declined and are declining, but they kind of "set the tone" for what society expects out of Christendom.

David Wilkerson wrote of a "remnant," from all sorts of denominations, who would seek after Christ, even when persecution -within- the established, visible church got rough. That book was from the 70s, based on a series of visions God gave him...anyway, he wrote of things that have only recently come to pass, such as a new interest in the occult, "affirmation" of all things gay within the church, eventually the merger of the occult and a form of "Christianity," etc.

Interesting time, indeed...

 

[TLSITD]

this is interesting. with many 'mainline' denominations throwing out Scripture, I could see this happening. Their numbers have declined and are declining, but they kind of "set the tone" for what society expects out of Christendom.

David Wilkerson wrote of a "remnant," from all sorts of denominations, who would seek after Christ, even when persecution -within- the established, visible church got rough. That book was from the 70s, based on a series of visions God gave him...anyway, he wrote of things that have only recently come to pass, such as a new interest in the occult, "affirmation" of all things gay within the church, eventually the merger of the occult and a form of "Christianity," etc.

Interesting time, indeed...

Edited by moderator
Secular humanism. Preaching peace to those who have no peace with God. Entertainment rather than edification. Preaching God's blessings but not repentance, obedience, holiness or faithfulness. Fake healings and fake conversions as publicity stunts for money. Behaving outrageously in the name of the Holy Ghost. Men (and women) using Christianity as a means of personal gain and for their own glory. Putting the word of men and traditions above the word of God. Imitating the world rather than Jesus Christ and His apostles.

When a church departs from God's word, and the environment is unholy, the Christian who loves the Lord should heed the Holy Spirit and depart from the church. And in this last hour, it is better not to be in one than it is to be in one. Even the 'conservative' ones are following men and teachings and traditions of men which are not Scriptural, spiritually beneficial, or pleasing to God. If there is anywhere the Lord wants a Christian to be for fellowship, He will lead him or her to it. If He does not, it's for the best.

 

[for_his_glory]

Good post TLSITD, but it will help others if you could use the scriptures that pertain to all of this you have posted.

Rev 13: 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Zachariah 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (Read further on)

Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

 

[Razeontherock]

Do not be surprised...
​

When multitudes of Christians take the mark of the beast. When pastors, friends and loved ones, who may or may not in fact be born again, take the mark and try to persuade you to do the same---telling you whatever they may to justify their actions and to persuade you: "For the sake of your children! What sort of parent would allow their children to go hungry! Is that what God would want? Do you think He is a monster, that it would be His will for His children to suffer, and innocent children, to not be able to eat or to lose their home, because their parents---who are responsible to provide for and protect them---refuse to take a mark? Didn't Jesus say that He would never leave us or forsake us, and that nothing can separate us from His love?"


Beware. People who will tell you these things are deceived themselves, and even being used of the devil, unbeknownst to them, to try to convince you to do what will be your undoing. You will save neither yourselves nor your children by taking the mark, and you will perish spiritually. Do not be deceived. Remember Eve.


And do not be surprised if church buildings all over the world, from the smallest to the greatest, are razed or set on fire, by order or encouragement of the government of the antichrist---as though God has turned His back on His people. The truth of it is that He hated what was being done in them, and they were an abomination to Him and an insult to His name; and by the hands of wicked men, He ordained that they should be destroyed and set on fire, as a testimony to the whole world that they did not honor Him and that He was not pleased with what was being done in them in His name: All the abominations that you now see in the churches, and the apostasy, in perverting the gospel and departing from and twisting the teachings of the faith, and making them whatever people want them to be to serve their own ends and to allow them to carry out the evil and unholy desires of their flesh and of their minds.


And on top of all of these abominations, which you now see, there will be yet another---the greatest of them all---when the people of God forsake Him and take the mark of the beast to save their lives on earth, and to avoid persecution, and when they bow down with the nations to worship the image of the antichrist: The abomination that makes desolate. And so shall they be left when they do it. The very thing that God declares in His word will happen to anyone who does this abomination, will happen to them also---though they quote every verse in the Bible to justify their faithlessness and rebellion, as they do now for other things.


So bear in mind, if and when the church buildings are destroyed, that it was the hand of your God that did it, through the hands of evil men, and His own mouth that gave the command---just as it was in the days of those who were before us, who we have as an example in the Scriptures, but fail to understand that we are following in their footsteps. It will not be because Satan has triumphed, that they will be torn down or set on fire, but because of the evil of God's people that they will be torn down, by God's own will. And it will be a testimony to the whole world, and to you, that this is so---that you may be ashamed of your rebellious ways and of your flagrant sins, and self-deception, and of the abominations that you used these houses for, and the sins you kept fresh in them, while calling on the name of the Lord and praising Him, to His dishonor and displeasure.


And do not be deceived by the many Christians---true or professing---who will take the mark and try to persuade you to do the same, telling you that no harm will come to you. They will be deceived. Believe the words of your God, and not the words of men over God's, as you have made a habit of doing.


We have good reason to believe that the very same thing that happened to the sanctuaries of Israel whenever they rebelled against the LORD will happen to us also, for the same reason. So no one should be surprised if it does. God is consistent in His ways.


And if and when the people of this world rejoice and mock at the destruction of them, saying that it is because the God of the Christians is not God and because Christians are not the people of God that the churches are razed and God does not prevent it or take vengeance on those who destroy them, remember that it is because God was displeased with the churches that He commanded that they be destroyed, and not because He has no power to prevent it. He never wanted them. He always wanted the hearts and lives of His people---but He got buildings instead, and sacrifice instead of obedience. And all manner of evil was being committed in the churches in His name.


The nations may exult over the destruction of the churches, but they will be foolish in doing so; for if the judgment of God begins at His household and sanctuary, and He does not spare His own people who rebel against Him, what will He do to those who have never known Him and have not obeyed the gospel? The cup of His wrath will come around to them also.

You have some good stuff here. You pollute it with things God has not said. That muddies your basic message, which is good.

 

[DiscipleDave]

... . .. . . . .. . . .When multitudes of Christians take the mark of the beast.

Millions are tricked into taking the mark, Many who take the mark, won't believe it is the mark of the beast.

... . .. . . . .. . .And do not be surprised if church buildings all over the world, from the smallest to the greatest, are razed or set on fire, by order or encouragement of the government of the antichrist---as though God has turned His back on His people.

This will begin to happen, after the 7 year Tribulation Period begins and Jesus did NOT come back when the Pretribbers believed He should have. And when the Destruction of the Earth begins, the Antichrist will be on TV saying "Where is your God now?" This causes all faiths all over the world to Fall Away from their Faiths, famine of the Word, and as you say above Churches razed to the ground. The antichrist convinces the world to put away their belief in gods, which ever god that may be, and come together as a Human people.

Mark of the Beast.

^i^

††† In His Holy and Precious Name, Jesus Christ †††

DiscipleDave

 

[Corn Pop]

Good post TLSITD, but it will help others if you could use the scriptures that pertain to all of this you have posted.

Rev 13: 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Zachariah 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (Read further on)

Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

That is what Jesus followers who he was talking to witnessed in that generation, they seen Jerusalem being surrounded by the army of the North and would have fleed to the mountains 67-70ad. Thats 40 years at the sign of Jonah.

 

[for_his_glory]

That is what Jesus followers who he was talking to witnessed in that generation, they seen Jerusalem being surrounded by the army of the North and would have fleed to the mountains 67-70ad. Thats 40 years at the sign of Jonah.

The North is not all nations that will come to battle against Jerusalem as if you read Zechariah 14:1-4 and Luke 21:20-22 what is said in Zechariah is prophecy given for the abomination that causes desolation as then Christ returns and plants His feet on the Mt. of Olives making an end to all abominations as He will the cast the beast and false prophet into the lake of fire, Rev 19:11-21.

 

[DiscipleDave]

That is what Jesus followers who he was talking to witnessed in that generation, they seen Jerusalem being surrounded by the army of the North and would have fleed to the mountains 67-70ad. Thats 40 years at the sign of Jonah.

You would do well to read and understand Zechariah 14, this has NOT been fulfilled yet, and will most certainly happen in the future.

 

[Razeontherock]

The North is not all nations that will come to battle against Jerusalem as if you read Zechariah 14:1-4 and Luke 21:20-22 what is said in Zechariah is prophecy given for the abomination that causes desolation as then Christ returns and plants His feet on the Mt. of Olives making an end to all abominations as He will the cast the beast and false prophet into the lake of fire, Rev 19:11-21.

Holy run-on sentence, Batman!

 

[TLSITD]

Heresy is heresy, and apostasy is apostasy. Reproving and denouncing sin and error is not being 'mean', nor is it people-bashing, any more than Jesus' rebukes to the 5 apostate churches in Asia province was, or the apostle Paul's rebukes and correction of those who were in error were.

If you're a Christian, and you stand on the Word of God, your attitude about those things which are unScriptural and which the Bible condemns should be the very same as the Bible's position and God's perspective. Love does not mean making people feel good about themselves when they are in error. Jesus never did any such thing, nor did Paul. People will like you for making them feel good about doing wrong and being in error, but you won't have God's approval for it. (And the Bible tells us plainly where cowards will have their place, by the way.)

Anyone who winds up in the lake of fire will wind up there because they did not love God and because they were unfaithful to Him, not (necessarily) because God didn't love them, or wasn't able to do what He says He does and will do. Emphasizing God's love for us to the under-emphasis of the necessity of our love for Him is a serious mistake---if not deliberately done by the cunning of people who are seeking their own interests, and not those of Jesus Christ.

I'd rather be hated or resented for reproving evil and error and standing on the truth than liked and approved for ignoring evil and error and compromising the truth, and for telling people what they want to hear instead of reminding them of what God says. Those who think otherwise will have to give an account to the Lord for it. Make it your business to please Him and to do as He did, and as He commands us to do, and not to please people for unrighteous reasons.

 

[for_his_glory]

Holy run-on sentence, Batman!

That's a bad habit I have and I'm working on it :yes

 

[Edward]

Do not be surprised...
​

When multitudes of Christians take the mark of the beast. When pastors, friends and loved ones, who may or may not in fact be born again, take the mark and try to persuade you to do the same---telling you whatever they may to justify their actions and to persuade you: "For the sake of your children! What sort of parent would allow their children to go hungry! Is that what God would want? Do you think He is a monster, that it would be His will for His children to suffer, and innocent children, to not be able to eat or to lose their home, because their parents---who are responsible to provide for and protect them---refuse to take a mark? Didn't Jesus say that He would never leave us or forsake us, and that nothing can separate us from His love?"


Beware. People who will tell you these things are deceived themselves, and even being used of the devil, unbeknownst to them, to try to convince you to do what will be your undoing. You will save neither yourselves nor your children by taking the mark, and you will perish spiritually. Do not be deceived. Remember Eve.


And do not be surprised if church buildings all over the world, from the smallest to the greatest, are razed or set on fire, by order or encouragement of the government of the antichrist---as though God has turned His back on His people. The truth of it is that He hated what was being done in them, and they were an abomination to Him and an insult to His name; and by the hands of wicked men, He ordained that they should be destroyed and set on fire, as a testimony to the whole world that they did not honor Him and that He was not pleased with what was being done in them in His name: All the abominations that you now see in the churches, and the apostasy, in perverting the gospel and departing from and twisting the teachings of the faith, and making them whatever people want them to be to serve their own ends and to allow them to carry out the evil and unholy desires of their flesh and of their minds.


And on top of all of these abominations, which you now see, there will be yet another---the greatest of them all---when the people of God forsake Him and take the mark of the beast to save their lives on earth, and to avoid persecution, and when they bow down with the nations to worship the image of the antichrist: The abomination that makes desolate. And so shall they be left when they do it. The very thing that God declares in His word will happen to anyone who does this abomination, will happen to them also---though they quote every verse in the Bible to justify their faithlessness and rebellion, as they do now for other things.


So bear in mind, if and when the church buildings are destroyed, that it was the hand of your God that did it, through the hands of evil men, and His own mouth that gave the command---just as it was in the days of those who were before us, who we have as an example in the Scriptures, but fail to understand that we are following in their footsteps. It will not be because Satan has triumphed, that they will be torn down or set on fire, but because of the evil of God's people that they will be torn down, by God's own will. And it will be a testimony to the whole world, and to you, that this is so---that you may be ashamed of your rebellious ways and of your flagrant sins, and self-deception, and of the abominations that you used these houses for, and the sins you kept fresh in them, while calling on the name of the Lord and praising Him, to His dishonor and displeasure.


And do not be deceived by the many Christians---true or professing---who will take the mark and try to persuade you to do the same, telling you that no harm will come to you. They will be deceived. Believe the words of your God, and not the words of men over God's, as you have made a habit of doing.


We have good reason to believe that the very same thing that happened to the sanctuaries of Israel whenever they rebelled against the LORD will happen to us also, for the same reason. So no one should be surprised if it does. God is consistent in His ways.


And if and when the people of this world rejoice and mock at the destruction of them, saying that it is because the God of the Christians is not God and because Christians are not the people of God that the churches are razed and God does not prevent it or take vengeance on those who destroy them, remember that it is because God was displeased with the churches that He commanded that they be destroyed, and not because He has no power to prevent it. He never wanted them. He always wanted the hearts and lives of His people---but He got buildings instead, and sacrifice instead of obedience. And all manner of evil was being committed in the churches in His name.


The nations may exult over the destruction of the churches, but they will be foolish in doing so; for if the judgment of God begins at His household and sanctuary, and He does not spare His own people who rebel against Him, what will He do to those who have never known Him and have not obeyed the gospel? The cup of His wrath will come around to them also.

I wouldn't doubt it, Don't be surprised if the mega churches are taken over and encircled with fencing and barbed wire. Don't be surprised if the internet goes down for a few weeks or a month...and when it comes back, no more CF.net or any Christian sites...

 

[for_his_glory]

Heresy is heresy, and apostasy is apostasy. Reproving and denouncing sin and error is not being 'mean', nor is it people-bashing, any more than Jesus' rebukes to the 5 apostate churches in Asia province was, or the apostle Paul's rebukes and correction of those who were in error were.

If you're a Christian, and you stand on the Word of God, your attitude about those things which are unScriptural and which the Bible condemns should be the very same as the Bible's position and God's perspective. Love does not mean making people feel good about themselves when they are in error. Jesus never did any such thing, nor did Paul. People will like you for making them feel good about doing wrong and being in error, but you won't have God's approval for it. (And the Bible tells us plainly where cowards will have their place, by the way.)

Anyone who winds up in the lake of fire will wind up there because they did not love God and because they were unfaithful to Him, not (necessarily) because God didn't love them, or wasn't able to do what He says He does and will do. Emphasizing God's love for us to the under-emphasis of the necessity of our love for Him is a serious mistake---if not deliberately done by the cunning of people who are seeking their own interests, and not those of Jesus Christ.

I'd rather be hated or resented for reproving evil and error and standing on the truth than liked and approved for ignoring evil and error and compromising the truth, and for telling people what they want to hear instead of reminding them of what God says. Those who think otherwise will have to give an account to the Lord for it. Make it your business to please Him and to do as He did, and as He commands us to do, and not to please people for unrighteous reasons.

No like button and I agree. for what has already been written and not what a bandwagon Preacher teaches.

 

[for_his_glory]

I wouldn't doubt it, Don't be surprised if the mega churches are taken over and encircled with fencing and barbed wire. Don't be surprised if the internet goes down for a few weeks or a month...and when it comes back, no more CF.net or any Christian sites...

God's true Church will go into hiding like it did in John 20:19 as they are kept safe as they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I wouldn't doubt it, Don't be surprised if the mega churches are taken over and encircled with fencing and barbed wire. Don't be surprised if the internet goes down for a few weeks or a month...and when it comes back, no more CF.net or any Christian sites...

Isn't that already the times we are in? I worry about the news of Christian churches being attacked and bombed, or of large scale Christian persecution being done; but not counted as the end times, because it is not happening in our nation. At least not yet. It's already becoming an issue in European countries.

Yet no evil will conquor Jesus's kingdom.

 

[Edward]

God's true Church will go into hiding like it did in John 20:19 as they are kept safe as they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.

It sure will. The real churches will then be underground, or, in secret.

I remember hearing a testimony about a couple underground churches. I *think* they were from China but am not sure. The first one, they were in a building rather than a private home and just as the service was supposed to start, a bunch of men with machine guns ran in and covered everyone. They said, all you Christians line up agains this wall over here...the rest of you can leave. More than half the congrgation walked out. Then the men with machine guns put them down and said, ok let's have church...Lol!

The second testimony went like this...there was an underground church and they kept moving it around to different locations so as not to be caught. Then I guess right before the service they would put out the word, what location today. One man knew it was almost time for church and he had not received word to it's location. He got ready and left in faith that somehow God would let him know where to go. He walked and as he was walking, he heard footsteps behind him. Fearing the police he made a left and ducked up an alley to walk to see if the footsteps followed...was it really the police? The footsteps did follow him. He began to fear and so walked faster. He made a couple turns and walked more just to try to distance himself from who was following him. The footsteps sounded as if they were becoming closer to him. He began to pray...no answer from the Lord. He began looking for someplace to hide almost panicked. He seen a stairway and went up the steps real quick, hoping no one was there and he could get in to hide from them...so he tapped on the door softly to see if anyone was there...and the door opened, much to his chagrin. But the man who answered the door, said to him, glad you could make it Brother, come on in, we're just about to start the service. Then the footsteps on the stairs...and another member walked in too!

It was the Holy Spirit leading him all along!

 

[Edward]

Isn't that already the times we are in? I worry about the news of Christian churches being attacked and bombed, or of large scale Christian persecution being done; but not counted as the end times, because it is not happening in our nation. At least not yet. It's already becoming an issue in European countries.

Yet no evil will conquor Jesus's kingdom.

I can't disagree with this. It prolly has begun. Some. But the word from the Brothers and Sisters is that Trump winning the Presidency set them back about 20 years or so. I don't know for sure but it sure feels like they've been set back at least some.

 

[for_his_glory]

It sure will. The real churches will then be underground, or, in secret.

I remember hearing a testimony about a couple underground churches. I *think* they were from China but am not sure. The first one, they were in a building rather than a private home and just as the service was supposed to start, a bunch of men with machine guns ran in and covered everyone. They said, all you Christians line up agains this wall over here...the rest of you can leave. More than half the congrgation walked out. Then the men with machine guns put them down and said, ok let's have church...Lol!

The second testimony went like this...there was an underground church and they kept moving it around to different locations so as not to be caught. Then I guess right before the service they would put out the word, what location today. One man knew it was almost time for church and he had not received word to it's location. He got ready and left in faith that somehow God would let him know where to go. He walked and as he was walking, he heard footsteps behind him. Fearing the police he made a left and ducked up an alley to walk to see if the footsteps followed...was it really the police? The footsteps did follow him. He began to fear and so walked faster. He made a couple turns and walked more just to try to distance himself from who was following him. The footsteps sounded as if they were becoming closer to him. He began to pray...no answer from the Lord. He began looking for someplace to hide almost panicked. He seen a stairway and went up the steps real quick, hoping no one was there and he could get in to hide from them...so he tapped on the door softly to see if anyone was there...and the door opened, much to his chagrin. But the man who answered the door, said to him, glad you could make it Brother, come on in, we're just about to start the service. Then the footsteps on the stairs...and another member walked in too!

It was the Holy Spirit leading him all along!

I'm a part of a Ministry in India and they do go through so much persecution even some to a martyr's death. They will build a Church and soon it is burned down and the Pastor either beaten or killed. They travel by foot through many jungles to find the hidden villages to take the Gospel to and at times are ambushed along the way. Here in America we have not seen this yet, but to know it will come.