Persecuting Jesus: "In the Roman Circus, the small flock of Christians is huddled in the sand, kneeling around their aged pastor. We see weeping little children, whole families gathered. In the stands are tens of thousands of people, none of whose faces are visible, but they are colorfully dressed, awaiting a special entertainment. The scene is eerily lighted by flaming crosses.

    "Looking more closely, however, we see those crosses bear Christians, covered in pitch and set aflame. Their suffering, at least, will be brief. Out of the depths beneath the Circus stride lions.... The lead lion advances menacingly toward the Believers....

    "In Egypt, there has been a sharp increase in the murder of Coptic Christians. ...Christians are familiar with the Bible passage in the Book of Acts where Jesus speaks to Saul. 'Why do you persecute me?' ... Saul is on his way to Damascus.

    "How very appropriate this passage is to our own day. For it is in Damascus that Christians are being newly endangered. And when that is the case, it is not just Jesus’ followers are being persecuted, it is Jesus Himself. We have His word on that....

    "As we approach this Sunday’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, it is good to remember that we are citizens, too. We should pray for our brethren suffering all over the bloody crescent."

 

 

"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." 1 John 3:13

"...the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." 1 John 5:19

 

"...the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me." John 16:2-3

"...they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake."  Matthew 24:9

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24