Several times a week, I pick up my copy of John Foxe’s Book
of Martyrs and read a few pages. I do it to remind myself that Christians
throughout history have not always enjoyed the blessed freedom we currently
have here in the United States. I also do it to prepare myself for persecution,
if and when it may come. Reading about the bravery and fortitude of faithful
followers of Christ in the past, in the midst of the most horrible and gruesome
tortures devised by evil men, makes me a more thankful Christian but it also
gives me an opportunity to pray to God asking that I too would have that kind
of faith and determination should I face even a fraction of what some of these
men and women have faced.
Recently I was reading about the Seventh Persecution under
the Roman emperor Decius in A.D. 249, and given recent events in the U.S., I
couldn’t help but draw parallels with what will most likely become more of a
reality for today’s Christians. Foxe records:
“Decius
attempted the very extirpation of the name of Christian; and it was unfortunate
for the Gospel, that many errors had, about this time, crept into the Church:
the Christians were at variance with each other; self-interest divided those
whom social love ought to have united; and the virulence of pride occasioned a
variety of factions.
The
heathens in general were ambitious to enforce the imperial decrees upon this
occasion, and looked upon the murder of a Christian as a merit to themselves.”
We have reached a defining moment in U.S. history with the redefinition
of marriage now the supreme law of the land. What is unfortunate is that many
denominations in America have already or are in the process of capitulating
their theology to the vain philosophies of post-modern culture. This is very
unfortunate for the Gospel. With itching ears, people flock to hear the things
they want to hear, the kinds of things that fit the image of God in their minds. The saddest part about that
is, who is going to rescue them from the deception they’ve fallen into?
Within 100 miles of my hometown in southwest Missouri, there
are 24 “gay affirming” churches according to a popular search site specifically
for finding these types of churches. The denominations include United
Methodist, Episcopal, Pentecostal, United Church of Christ, Evangelical
Lutheran, Non-denominational, and inter-denominational, among others. In metro
Denver where I now live, I found 30 “gay affirming” churches, adding to the
list of denominations the Presbyterian Church (USA), a few Catholic churches,
and a Mennonite church.
All claim to be following the teachings of Christ.
As in 249 A.D., this is but one of many errors that have
crept into the Church. However, we shouldn’t be surprised. The apostle Peter
told us this would happen:
But
false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false
teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even
denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth
will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.
Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not
asleep. 2 Peter 2: 1-3
The way of truth will be blasphemed, the way of salvation
through Jesus Christ. It sickens me to know that all of these deceivers and deceived
are marauding around proclaiming they know
the way of truth, yet they are miring in corruption, despising the very
authority they think they are upholding! Peter goes on to explain that their judgment lingers not, that these
unbelievers are condemned already, and then he gives various examples of the
punishment of sinners in earlier ages as an example to those come later. What
is the outside world to think of such a state of Christianity?
With respect to the redefinition of marriage in the U.S.,
Christian persecution is only going to get worse. As in the days of Decius, the
secular community is ambitious to enforce these new Supreme Court rulings on anyone who disagrees with
them, namely Christians. In a video I watched recently, a man explained that
the police power of the state will follow the laws or interpretation of laws.
What he means is that soon Christian churches and parachurch organizations,
along with Christian-owned business, will be targeted for discrimination against
homosexuals, and prosecuted according to the law. Saying homosexuality is a sin and is wrong will be and already is considered hate speech. We will be labeled haters,
bigots, homophobes, discriminators, “stuck in the past”, religious zealots,
intolerant, etc. etc. – you name it, we’ll be called it. Not only that, those
who oppose true Christianity in any form will think it is a merit unto
themselves for doing so!
I encourage anyone reading this to prepare themselves now
for what will be coming our way. Stand firm in your faith! Hold fast to the
Word of God! Waver not in your determination to know and declare the Truth! And
as 2 Peter 2:9 says, trust that the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from
trials!
During the reign of Decius, a young woman of 16 years of age
by the name of Denisa, watched as Nichomachus, a professed Christian, was
brought before Optimus, the proconsul of Asia, and was ordered to sacrifice to
the pagan idols. At first he opposed, saying “I cannot pay that respect to
devils, which is only due to the Almighty.” This enraged the proconsul and he
was soon put to the rack to face many torments and tortures. After enduring
them for a time, he sadly recanted and renounced his faith. But only a few
moments after this proof of his frailty, he fell into the greatest of agonies,
dropped down to the ground, and died. Denisa suddenly exclaimed, “O unhappy
wretch, why would you buy a moment’s ease at the expense of a miserable
eternity!” When Optimus heard this, he called to her and Denisa avowed herself
to be a Christian. Soon after, she was beheaded by his order.
My Christian brothers and sisters, do not buy a moment’s
ease in the face of persecution at the expense of your eternity! For Jesus
said:
"Therefore
everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father
who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before
My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
