Thread: The American Road To the Martyrdom of Christians
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The American Road To the Martyrdom of Christians
Posted : 12 Oct, 2013 07:28 AM
The American Road To the Martyrdom of Christians
Paul says in I Thessalonians 1: 14-15 that "For ye, brethren, became
followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ
Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen,
even as they have of the Jews: 15. Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and
have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:"
At that time, in the First Century, it was the Jews who troubled and
persecuted Christians, not the unbelievers. The Pharisees
as leaders of the Jews were the religious establishment in Paul's time.
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10: 10. Christ is talking about giving spiritual life with him to those who accept him and his doctrines.
So, one of the major changes in the transformation of physical Israel to the spiritual house of I Peter 2: 5 is the teaching of Christ that he came to bring life, primarily spiritual life, but he also came to bring physical life. For in Luke 9: 52-56 when James and John asked Christ if they could call fire down from heaven to burn up a village in Samaria, Jesus told them in Luke 9: 55-56, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."
Christ in Luke 9: 59-60 said "And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. "
In Luke 9: 59-60 Jesus was not saying that those who are physically dead could bury others who are physically dead. He was talking about death as a spiritual condition. He was saying to let those who are spiritually dead bury the physically dead.
It is important to understand that transformation of physical Israel to the spiritual house mentioned in I Peter 2: 5. There were major changes made by Christ in that transformation of physical Israel to a spiritual house. That which was in the physical under the Old Covenant was done away with as Hebrews 10: 9 says, "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the new." Entry into physical Israel by physical means, by genetics, the physical temple building, circumcision in the flesh and physical and literal animal sacrifice were all abolished and replaced by that which is spiritual and often communicated by metaphor. Many things which happened under the Old Covenant as shadows of things to come, Paul says in I Corinthians 10: 11 were examples written for our admonition "...upon whom the ends of the world are come." That which is spiritual after the Cross, the Day of Pentecost and Christ's revelations given to Paul (Acts 26: 15-18) became the substance of what was predicted by the shadows (Hebrews 10: 1, Colossians 2: 17).
But before the transformation of physical Israel, before the change from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, those in physical Israel often sought to kill and did kill those who held doctrines different from their own. The Pharisees as the spiritual leaders of physical Israel had Christ crucified by the Romans. In Acts 7: 58-60 Stephen was stoned to death by a group, in Acts 6: 9 called "certain of the synagogue." Acts 7: 58 and 8: 1 record that Saul was there and consented to the death of Stephen. Saul, of course, is Saul the Pharisee, before he encountered the risen Christ on the Road to Damascus, and became Paul.
Then in Acts 21: 17-31 when James sent Paul to the temple to take part in an Old Covenant purification ceremony the Jews tried to kill Paul, who was rescued by the Romans.
"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." I John 4: 3
Those of physical Israel who were not part of the remnant of Romans 11: 5 who accepted Christ and his doctrines are of the spirit of anti-Christ. That is, those who rejected Christ are of the spirit of anti-Christ. Those in physical Israel who continue to reject Christ are also of the spirit of anti-Christ.
In Revelation 13: 12 the second beast - the beast who represents the huge number of false prophets - is said to cause people to worship the head of the first beast whose deadly wound was healed. The head of the first beast whose deadly wound was healed is in Revelation 13: 2.
The head of the first beast whose deadly wound was healed - was wounded to death in 70 A.D.and the wound was healed in 1948 - is the spirit of anti-Christ. "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." I John 4: 3
It is the false prophet, that is the many false prophets, who leads people to worship the head of the first beast whose deadly wound was healed.
The worship of the head of the first beast whose deadly wound was healed is a big part of the falling away from sound doctrine in II Thessalonians 2: 3-4. The falling away is not future now in 2013. It is not something that will not happen until the dispenspensationalist church is raptured before the beginning of the dispensationalist tribulation begins, or .something that does not begin until the dispensationalist tribulation.
The start of the falling away could be dated to the 19th century when several cults began within American and British Christianity. Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), Ellen G. White (1827-1915), Edward Irving (1792 �1834), John Darby (1800 -1882), Charles T. Russell (1852-1916),
and and C.I. Scofield (1843 -1921) were some of the major false
prophets of the 19th century who influenced Christians. The most
influential 19th century false doctrines, or cults, were the Jehovah's
Witnesses, the Mormons, Christian Science and Dispensationalism.. Dispensationalism
became the most popular cult and took over, by the mid 20th century, the
majority of protestant denominations.
The period right after the end of World War II is another possible date for
the beginning of the falling away from sound doctrine. After 1948 Christian Zionism
became much stronger, with the beginning of a new national Israel in the Middle East.
Remember that physical Israel did not accept the spiritual life that Christ offered in John 10: 10,
but rejected it. At the time of Christ and the life of his Apostles, physical Israel was in the spirit of
anti-Christ and of Death, since they killed many of those who did not agree with their doctrines.
This Death, followed by physical, Israel is seen in scripture where Death and Hell are presented almost as persons. Isaiah 28: 15 says "Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." Revelation 6: 8
Next, Revelation 20: 13 says "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."
Revelation 20: 14 says "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."
But there is one verse in which Hell comes before Death. "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelation 1: 18
Though Death and Hell are the two forces Satan uses against the truth of Christ, yet Christ himself has full control over Death and Hell.
Death is the spirit of anti-Christ, which denies that Christ as fully God came in the flesh. This is a trait of physical Israel, which - except for a remnant (Romans 11: 5) - rejected Christ. Hell as the second force of Satan is the False Prophet who teaches about a Jesus but it is another Jesus and another Gospel (II Corinthians 11: 14, Galatians 1: 6-9).
So, the spirit of anti-Christ is also the spirit of Death, since physical Israel has rejected the spiritual Life that Christ offered.
This spirit of Death in physical Israel is important for the end time martyrdom of Christians which is found in New Testament prophecy. A big part of the falling away from sound doctrine is the dispensationalist honoring of physical Israel as remaining the chosen people of God. It does not take a huge leap of logic to see that in honoring all physical Israel, dispensationalism is bringing with physical Israel the spirit of Death.
The older generation of dispensationlaist celebrities are dying off. Chuck Smith, founder of Cavalry Chapel, which has churches all over the country, died a few days ago at 86. He and Cavalry Chapel were important for dispensationalism in America. Some of the older dispensationalist celebrities had problems with stealing the works of others and some had problems with sexual morality. But the younger generation of dispensationlist leaders as a whole are more nasty. The older guys were not necessarily vicious though they taught millions false doctrines.
We can begin to see what the martyrdom of Christians is to be like from Daniel 11: 33-35, "And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed."
This prophecy saying that they who understand will instruct many but "they" will fall by the sword and by captivity had a fulfillment in the First Century with the Apostles, who were all martyed except John. But Daniel 11: 33-35 was not exhausted as a prophecy saying that those who have come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2: 4, II Timothy 3: 7) will teach many, but will be killed or put in prison. Those instructed who come to the knowledge of the truth are also "they" who will fall by the sword and by captivity.
In the First Century it was the Pharisees who killed those who did not agree with their doctrines or had killed by the Roman authorities. In Acts 12: 1-2 Herod killed James the Apostle and the Pharisees liked that.
In the end times it will be the religious authorities, the preachers, acting in the role of the Pharisees of
the First Century, who will cause those who have come to the knowledge of the truth and who do not refrain from teaching others to be put to death. Or, it will be the followers of the false prophets, the preachers, who cause those who have understanding to be put to death or put in prison by the secular authorities.
The younger generation of dispensationalist leaders now have allies in the rise of Messianic Judaism, the Hebrew Roots Movement, and the Sacred Name Theology. These three movements allied with dispenationalism more clearly teach a return to the Old Covenant shadows (Hebrews 10: 1, Colossians 2: 17), and are more insistent on all physical Israel being the chosen people and remaining so through eternity. They are somewhat more likely to bring the charge of "antisemitism" against those who have come to the knowledge of the truth and voice this truth. Those who teach that physical Israel is not now the chosen people of God, and/or that the shadows, the ceremonial law of the Old Covenant, were abolished are likely to be charged with "Antisemitism." It is politically incorrect to be "anti-semitic."
Having the spirit of anti-Christ and the spirit of Death of physical Israel, those in dispensationmalism under the newer dispensationalist leaders and those in Messianic Judaism, Hebrew Roots and Sacred Name Theology have one foot already on the road to the mayrtdom of Christians.
Now, in 2013, following the Arab Spring starting in late 2010, the Islamics are killing
Christians in mass in the lands controlled by Islam. But the New Testament does not focus upon
the killing of Christians by a rival religion. Instead the focus is upon those who claim to be Christians killing or having other Christians killed.
The conflict of truth versus theology within Christianity where the threshing floor of Jeremiah 51: 33 becomes extreme lies behind the martyrdom of Christians taught in John 16: 2. "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
The reference to synagogues is not limited to Jewish synagogues. Synagogues is Strong's number 4864, meaning "an assemblage of persons, a Jewish synagogue, by analogy, a Christian church, assembly, congregation, synagogue." Sunagoge in the Greek, or synagogue, can mean a Christian church.
The road toward the martyrdom of those who have come to the knowledge of the truth leads to the belief that those who have these people killed are doing God a service. This is the spirit of Death which was in old physical Israel.
Now, in 2013, following the Arab Spring starting in late 2010, the Islamics are killing
Christians in mass in the lands controlled by Islam. But the New Testament does not focus
Luke 21: 16 says: "And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and
brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they
cause to be put to death."
"And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates,
and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or
what ye shall say:" Luke 12: 11
And Matthew 24: 9 also mentions martyrdom of Christians. "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."
It is interesting that the Greek word witness, for example, the two witnesses of Revelation 12: 3 is Strong's number 3144, "martus, mar-toos, a witness, by analogy, a martyr."
In Revelation 12: 17 the remnant is said to have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated as testimony is marturian, from matus. In Acts 22: 20, Stephen is called a marturos, a martyr. And in Revelation 2: 13 where Christ says his faithful martyr Antipas was killed in Pergamos the Greek word translated as martyr is martus, a witness to the truth of Christ who becomes a martyr.
WILL THE COURAGEOUS TRIBULATION SAINTS SUFFER THE WRATH OF GOD??
God has always allowed His people to suffer tribulation and trials because they purify and perfect their faith and will gain countless eternal rewards when Jesus Christ is *REVEALED. There are over 40,000 saints martyred every year and the main culprit is no longer just Islam and the Satanic Roman Catholic Church. Millions of saints were martyred by the Communist atheist countries after 1917 in Russia and after 1948 in China and then in North Korea and Vietnam. Many more millions were killed by Japan 1937-1945 and by the Fascists in Italy and Germany 1922-1945.
Romans 8:35-37: �Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?... 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!�
I Peter 1:6-8:���In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is *REVEALED.��
I Peter 2:20b,21: �But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow IN HIS STEPS.� I Peter 4:12,13: �Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But REJOICE that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is *REVEALED!� Rev 2:10: Jesus says, �Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the Crown of Life.� Read other persecution verses: Matthew 5:10-12; Romans 5:3; Heb 13:35-40; 2 Tim 3:12; 2 Cor 1:7-10; I Thess 3:3,4; Phil 1:29; Phil 3:10; Rev 12:11; Rev 13:9,10 & Rev 14:13.
������ The courageous and faithful Tribulation saints will *NOT* be hurt by God�s *WRATH* as shown in Rev 14:9-11; 15:1,7; 16:1,19; or in any of the 7 trumpet or 7 bowl plagues as explained in Rev 9:4,20,21 and Rev 16:2,4-6,9,10,21; or in any of the plagues of God�s 2 witnesses as per Rev 11:6,10; or in *ETERNAL HELL*: Rev 14:9-11: �If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he will drink of the wine of God�s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of *HIS WRATH*.� He will be tormented with burning sulfur and the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever.�
The pre-tribs often confuse the wrath of God with the persecution from the anti-christ. They are not the same thing. The wrath of God is intended for the ungodly and will be poured upon them and them only. The Lord knows His target and He never misses. Jesus warned in Matthew 10:28, �And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.�
In Rev 18:1-24 we read about the plagues that will destroy the headquarters of 666 during the Great Tribulation. This evil city on 7 hills {See Rev 17:9} is called �Babylon� which Peter implied was the nickname for Rome in 2 Peter 5:13. In Rev 18:4 a voice from Heaven will order God's saints to stay away from Babylon {Rome-That great seaport-Rev 18:17-19} so that they will not participate in her sins or be hurt by God's wrath which will completely destroy Rome with many horrific plagues.
There are 260 verses from Revelation chapters 6 thru 20 and 128 of these verses or 49% tell of the wrath of God to unbelievers, 666, his False Prophet and Rome. However, not even one of these verses tells of any wrath of God toward His courageous Tribulation saints. Even pre-tribbers and mid-tribbers reluctantly agree that believers during the Great Tribulation will be exempt from the wrath of God.
Jesus says, �My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one!� John 17:15
Jesus says, �Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell!!�
