"Can You Take Scripture Literally?"

In the West, Christian persecution might mean being mocked and ridiculed or in some cases even slapped with a lawsuit--but torture and death? Not so much.

And yet, the "systematic elimination of Christianity" happening  right now in Muslim regions of the world has "gone largely unnoticed by the international community," says Coptic Bishop Anba Angaelos.

According to a report by Open Doors, a non-denominational mission supporting persecuted Christians in over 60 countries:

"In the 21 worst nations for Christians, 100% of Christians experience persecution, including unimaginable torture, beheadings and atrocities resulting in the wholesale slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ."

Horrific? Yes. Unexpected? No.

In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John was instructed to write down the things that must come to pass in the Last Days.

After 19 chapters detailing end time events, John writes: 

"Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God" (REVELATION 20:4).

Beheaded. And while the martyrs of Revelation take place during the Great Tribulation period, current events lend credence to the literal interpretation of Scripture.

The Bible warns us to expect increasing persecution as the Day draws near. The Middle East is already brimming over with it.

"A Christian holocaust is in our midst," says Mark Arabo, a Chaldean-American spokesperson trying to raise awareness of Christian persecution. "A Christian genocide is being conducted by radicalized Islamists", and they "are absolutely killing every Christian they see.

Let's not assume the West will be exempt.

"Remember the word I said to you...If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...because they do not know Him who sent Me" (JOHN 15:21).

A wise man once said: "As I read the news, I can't help but wonder if we're in the last hours." -- Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse                   

"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to Me" (MATTHEW 24:9).

 👉👉👉"HOW TO GO TO HEAVEN!" ☝

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"Current Events Predicted With 100% Accurancy 2,000 Years Ago"

In the West, Christian persecution might mean being mocked and ridiculed or in some cases even slapped with a lawsuit--but torture and death? Not so much.

And yet, the "systematic elimination of Christianity" happening right now in Muslim regions of the world has "gone largely unnoticed by the international community," says Coptic Bishop Anba Angaelos.

According to a report by Open Doors, a non-denominational mission supporting persecuted Christians in over 60 countries:

"In the 21 worst nations for Christians, 100% of Christians experience persecution,including unimaginable torture, beheadings and atrocities resulting in the wholesale slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ."

Horrific? Yes. Unexpected? No.

In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John was instructed to write down the things that must come to pass in the Last Days.

After 19 chapters detailing end time events, John writes: "Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God" (Revelation 20:4).

Beheaded. And while the martyrs of Revelation take place during the Great Tribulation period, current events lend credence to the literal interpretation of Scripture.

The Bible warns us to expect increasing persecution as the Day draws near. The Middle East is already brimming over with it.

"A Christian holocaust is in our midst," says Mark Arabo, a Chaldean-American spokesperson trying to raise awareness of Christian persecution. "A Christian genocide is being conducted by ISIS", and they "are absolutely killing every Christian they see.

"Slaughtered Christians..." (click and then scroll down to article)

Let's not assume the West will be exempt.

"Remember the word I said to you...If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...because they do not know Him who sent Me" (John 15:21).

A wise man once said: "As I read the news, I can't help but wonder if we're in the last hours."  --Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse

"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to Me" (Matthew 24:9).

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"Like a Thief in the Night"

As far as most people are concerned, Christ's return is irrelevant. If they think about it at all, it's mostly to mock those who believe in it.

And who can blame them? False dates and fanaticism have deceived and damaged the faith of millions.

But is fear of repeating past mistakes reason enough to avoid the subject? Not according to Luke 12:37: "There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for His return." Luke 12:45 gives us the consequences of not being ready: "But if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while', and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk--well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful. The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it." Apparently, God expects us to know the general time of Christ's return.

Before we go on, let's get something straight: Christ will come twice: once at the Rapture of the Church which takes place before the 7-year period known as 'the Tribulation' and for which there are no signs. He will come like a thief in the night when the world at large least expects Him. Then, at the end of the seven years of tribulation, amid unmistakable signs, Christ will come a second time.

Got that? There are yet two comings. One to rescue the church (the Rapture) and the Second Coming to rescue the Jews. We'll go over all this in more detail later.

For now, here's a simple overview of prophetic events:

1. The Rapture. When God delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
2. The Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema). Where believers' lives are examined. If we've used our gifts and talents to help build the kingdom, we'll be rewarded. If we've squandered our lives on selfish living, we'll suffer loss. (1 Corinthians 3:13).
3. The Tribulation. When 7 years of trouble come on the earth consisting of deception, war/rumors of war, famines, pestilence, and earthquakes. (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Daniel 9). These 7 years are divided into two, 3-1/2-year periods. At the beginning of the 1st half, the Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel and the Jewish Temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem. The 2nd 3-1/2 years herald the Great Tribulation when the Antichrist breaks the 7-year covenant. (Daniel 9:27).
4. Armageddon: armies from around the globe gather at Megiddo in Northern Israel to launch a massive attack against Jerusalem. (Rev. 16, Zechariah 12:1-3, 14:1-5, Revelation 19:19).
5. Second Coming of Christ to earth. to rescue His Chosen people, the Jews, from annihilation and set up His millennial reign on earth. (Dan. 2:44, Matt. 24:27-37, Zechariah 14:4, 1 Thessalonians. 3:13, Rev. 19:8).
6. Judgment of the Nations. (Matthew 25:31-46).

 (Scripture references are not all inclusive. There are just too many to list them all. Please check cross-references in your Bible).

Words to the Wise: Be like the Bereans, "...in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11).

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