Christians in the News and Post-Trib Preparation for the Last Days

I'm seeing so much news in this section about what Satan is doing through his minions in regard to the Last Days. It's rather depressing. I thought I'd start posting some news about inspirational Christians and also post videos about preparing for the last days. I know that most people here are pre-trib, but this thread will come in handy for those who believe in post-tribulation rapture and want to prepare spiritually.

This first video is about the news of 21 Egyptians who got martyred in February 2015. The families of the martyred Christians had the right attitude about it. They were actually very comforted and happy that they're martyred relatives stood strong and loyal to the Lord! Their martyrdom is a perfect example of the Lord's command to "endure to the end" being practiced! May the Lord prepare us to be able to stand strong and endure for the Lord as well!





The video is only 4 minutes and 41 seconds long. I hope you watch it. It's very inspirational! Let me know what you think. What would this video teach you that you can apply to yourself in the event of inevitable persecution?

❧

We are required to wear well to the end!

Judgment is coming

As the fifth seal is opened, a chilling scene unfolds before my eyes. I see the saints, their blood crying out from beneath the altar, pleading with the Lord to avenge their deaths. And the Lord responds, granting them white robes and telling them to wait, for the rest of his servants will also be killed.

But then, the Lord gives them a sign. A sign that will send shivers down the spine of every evil and adulterous soul on this earth. A sign that will show them that they rejected the preaching of a greater than Jonah and that their judgment has come.

For centuries, the Bible and Christian believers have stood as a great sign of the power of the resurrection. The enemy has tried to destroy them, but persecution has only made them stronger. False prophets like Balaam and Jezebel have tried to curse them, but the church still stands strong.

But now, the Lord is about to open up the graves and the saints will rise in victory in the rapture. And when the graves are opened and the saints are raptured all over the world, that will be the sign. A sign that the evil and adulterous age will never forget. For it will be the sign that their judgment has come, and that they rejected the preaching of a greater than Jonah. Where will you be when the trumpet blows?

Topics in this video:

1. Chinese Christians fleeing communist persecution find a new home in America by way of Thailand, and then to Texas on the night of Good Friday.
2. The latest attack in Myanmar leaves 165 dead in the wake of government sponsored brutality since the military took power over 2 years ago. Should the Christians and other civilians in the civil disobedience movement there fight or flee?
3. Kenya's second lady is on a mission to save a generation of young boys in her country who have left their families to find work in the cities, only to end up jobless, homeless and without hope.
4. Religious persecution...in Canada?!?? A Catholic high school recently suspends a Christian student, Josh Alexander, for opposing it's transgender bathroom policy. He was then arrested on two different occasions just for protesting transgenderism being enforced at his school and at the town library.
5. Easter celebration around the world appears to have increased up from last year as may be indicative of an increase in the use of a certain bible app, YouVersion.
6. Prophetic word from Rev. Samuel Rodriguez who says that despite all the violence and turmoil in the world, God is moving a new generation to live for Him as CBN reports a seeming chain of godly events since January of this year.

All pretty interesting news! What are your thoughts on any or all of these issues reported in this video? Specify which news you want to discuss by their number so there's no confusion. Thank you!

❧

I think when facing persecution Christians have options...we can stand our ground and go to jail if necessary or we can flee (especially if its fornication or temptation)

It depends on the situation, but its always important to remember whatever happens, we are saved and if we have to give our lives up Gods got our souls.

Many Christians do choose the fleeing option rather than stand our ground but that just might buy us time, the enemy might still try to catch up with us, but we have a God who opened the Red Sea for his people ...He will make a way when we think there is no way.

WHen faced with such extreme persecution eg jail time or even corporal punishment or military brutality or concentration camps even in those situations the gospel will shine through and reach those in prison and in chains. Dont forget the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus was reached even as he was dying next to Jesus (is it said who died first? ) . Jail time can be no hardship if we have joy in our hearts and praise God for everything, like Jonah in the whale or Peter and Paul breaking free when angels sent an earthquake, or Daniels friends in the fiery furnace, and stopping the mouths of the lions. Stephen when was matryed asked God to forgive those who were stoning him as he died....and everyone saw the light shining on him as he said this

I had posted a thread before that was rejected. I guess it wasn't worth it start a new one for just one person. But I did love this pastor very much.

Dr. Charles Stanley went home to be with the Lord today, April 18, 2023, at 7:30am this morning. He was my favorite pastor more than any other, even more than the pastors of the churches I've gone to. His sermons and the advice in them had got me through some very difficult times. Jesus often worked through him to comfort and encourage me. I love Dr. Stanley very much - he was so gentle and loving and I can see Jesus in his life.

I'm sad because I'll miss him, but I'm happy too that he's resting in the Lord right now. He's probably even getting to know his biological father whom he never knew because his father died when he was only 9 months old. He will also see his biological mother and grandfather again and I'm pretty sure it will be a joyful reunion!

And the best thing of all, he no longer has to endure the worsening events of this world! Thank you Lord for being in his life and making him a blessing to this world!

Click on his name to go to his Memorial Web Page:



❧

I know Dr. Charles Stanley had gone home to the Lord just yesterday, but the In Touch staff had posted one pf his older sermons from I think around the early 2000's a few days before his passing. The amazing thing about this sermon is that it really does apply to not only everyday battles in the spiritual realms, but also is applicable to being strong in the last days.

Also, this sermon is a very good example of why his sermons are so powerful!



Sermon Outline

PREPARATION FOR WARFARE

KEY PASSAGE: Ephesians 6:10-14

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: Exodus 14:13 | Matthew 28:19-20 | John 4:24 | Acts 1:8 | 2 Corinthians 4:4 | Ephesians 1:18-20 | 2 Timothy 2:3 | James 1:2-4 | 1 John 4:4

SUMMARY

Believers are in a spiritual battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.

By every way possible, Satan seeks to hinder the work of God in our lives. Of course, if we are in Christ, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life and we are heavenbound. Nothing can change that truth. But the devil would love to make us miserable and ineffective Christians here on earth, and thus cheat us out of our heavenly rewards. How can we avoid falling prey to Satan’s destructive plans for us? According to Ephesians 6, we aren’t called to fight the devil; instead, we resist him by standing firm in the power of the Lord. Through His ability, believers can overcome temptation, even when facing difficult circumstances.

SERMON POINTS

In Ephesians 6, Paul encourages Christians to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm” (vv. 10-13).

What is the nature of our battle against Satan?

• Spiritual. Paul isn’t talking about physical armor (v. 11). He speaks of “forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (v. 12). Our current bodies are temporary but our spirits will last forever; it’s through them that we relate to God (John 4:24). Though Satan can’t change our eternal destiny, he’ll do all he can to interrupt our relationship with God while we’re on earth, drawing us away and making us unhappy and spiritually unproductive.
• Personal. Paul says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12). Struggle here can also mean wrestle, indicating one-on-one combat. Christians experience similar types of temptations, but the devil attacks and tempts each of us individually.
• Real. One of Satan’s tactics is to convince people that he doesn’t exist. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” With such deception, the devil can easily execute his strategies of destruction. Although the Lord allows Satan to bring adversity, the Holy Spirit can enable us to walk through it victoriously, and even joyfully, as we trust in Him (James 1:2-4).

Why do God’s people give in to temptation?

As children of God, we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Why are believers still sometimes defeated in spiritual warfare?

• Ignorance of the battle. Many Christians aren’t even aware there is a war going on. They attribute the good or bad in their lives to luck.
• Denial of Satan’s existence. The devil is real: Jesus talked to him in the wilderness, cast out demons, and taught about the devil’s schemes. Christ would not have spoken of the adversary if he didn’t exist.
• Lack of training. It’s not enough to be saved. Scripture calls us to “suffer hardship … as a good soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3). Soldiers in faith need to learn how to use the weapons of spiritual warfare: the Word of God and prayer.
• The devil’s propaganda. Satan seeks to steal God’s glory and disrupt His kingdom. The evil one is always lying to us about what will satisfy. One of the ways he works is to make earthly goals, pleasures, and possessions so attractive that we are lured away from devotion to God.
• Spiritual landmines. God’s people sometimes fail to anticipate the danger zones they will face. But certain sins are like landmines; they take us by surprise and cause great damage. The devil says, “Just a little won’t hurt you,” but soon, we develop a dangerous habit or make a life-destroying decision.
• Inadequate biblical instruction. We call the Sunday morning service “worship,” but it’s also a time of learning. Sermons teach us principles to face the battle victoriously. Not attending church won’t cause us to lose our salvation, but spiritual knowledge and gathering with other Christians is an important part of preparing for spiritual warfare.

We must assume responsibility for our sin.

Sometimes people joke, “The devil made me do it.” In reality, he can’t make a believer do anything. What gives us the power to resist sin?

• Believers have the strength of God. None of us can match Satan on our own; he’s too strong. He has been deceiving humans a long time, and he knows what tools and tricks to use. Our responsibility is to “be strong [continually empowered] in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10). We overcome in God’s strength, not ours.

Earlier in Ephesians, Paul wrote, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know … the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. [This is] in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead” (1:18-20). In other words, God’s mighty power, which was strong enough to bring Jesus from death back to life, enables us to overcome sin. He also equips us through the Holy Spirit to share the gospel (Acts 1:8; see Matthew 28:18-20). Truly, “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

• We have the authority of God. A police officer directs traffic using the government’s authority, not his or her own physical power. Similarly, you aren’t facing Satan alone; you can resist him in the power of Jesus’ authority. When we are walking according to the Spirit, we can command Satan to leave us in the power of Jesus’ name.
• As believers, we can be strong and watch God fight our battles. We are called to put on our spiritual armor and then “stand firm” (Eph. 6:11). This is similar to what the Lord told Moses (Exodus 14:13), and centuries later, King Jehoshaphat: “You need not fight in this battle; take your position, stand and watch the salvation of the Lord” (2 Chron. 20:17). Although we are in a spiritual war, God doesn’t call us to fight with the devil. We are simply to be strong in the Lord and watch the miracles unfold.

RESPONSE

• Look through the reasons why believers fail when faced with spiritual warfare. Which one or two most often describe your tendencies? What changes can you make to experience more victory?
• Many people deny the existence of Satan and spiritual warfare. What do you think is the best evidence that spiritual battles are a reality?
• Meditate on the truth that God doesn’t expect you to fight your own spiritual battles. Describe how standing firm in the power of the Lord differs from attempting to fight the devil yourself.

Download

Sermon Notes PDF

❧

This post is about Corrie ten Boom, a most noteworthy Christian who loved and obeyed God through the worst of times in World War II. She smuggled Jews and other wanted people out of Holland and her entire family was arrested. Despite loss of family and facing much hardship, God kept her through it all and is a person God used mightily to bring people to Himself. She is one of my favorite Christian heroes! Find out more about her and follow her example as you grow in Christ and prepare for the last days.


-=<❤>=-

I'm posting two films about her to watch, one longer and the other shorter depending on how much time you want or have to get to know about this wonderful Christian!




-=<❤>=-

There are various books published about her. The most famous one is her autobiography called, "The Hiding Place".

You can purchase her book: The Hiding Place

Or you can read it free at Archive.org. You'll need to open a free account with Archive.org to borrow the book. I'm posting the search query because there are several copies to choose from:

Search Query: The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

This is my favorite copy of the book. It's called "Corrie ten Boom, Her Story" and it is the compilation of THREE of her books: The Hiding Place, Tramp for the Lord, and Jesus is Victor: Corrie ten Boom, Her Story

I hope you will be inspired by her and learn from her how to trust the Lord, especially in the most difficult times, for those difficult times WILL come!

❧

Best Documentary on Corrie ten Boom
I found this documentary on Corrie ten Boom after I posted the previous stuff on her, but I think it's truly the best one. It's not dramatized like the other two films but the best documentary on her. It's about an hour long, but they packed so much information in, from her birth, to being the first official female watchmaker in the world, to the construction of the Hiding Place and work for the Dutch Resistance during WW2, her family's arrest, to her freedom based on an administrative error, to her speaking engagements around the world and to her natural death at the age of 91. She's truly accomplished!





❧