By David Ettinger
No Surprise
The headline on Christian Post is sad but not shocking: “Anti-Christian violence, attacks on churches in Europe at all-time high in 2019.”[1]
The report went on to give the grim details, and you can read the story at the link below. The point of this brief post, however, is to demonstrate that this is a pattern of satanic behavior that will not abate until Christ’s return.
Despite the number of my Facebook friends who enthusiastically swallow the rosy oracles of modern “prophets,” a great worldwide Christian revival is not coming. The sinful governments of the western world are not about to declare a new era of God-centered politics.
Rather, the world is moving nearer a crushing time of Christian (and Jewish) persecution which will culminate during the final seven years of this era of human history, known as “The 70th Week of the Book of Daniel.” (Some incorrectly refer to this time as “The Tribulation.”)
What Jesus Taught
Increasing Christian persecution in these end times is in fulfillment of what Jesus taught:
- “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11).
- “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
- “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me” (Matthew 24:9).
- “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man” (Luke 6:22).
- “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18).
- “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:19).
- “They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me” (John 15:21).
The apostles added:
- “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
- “They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you” (1 Peter 4:4).
- “Brothers and sisters, don’t be surprised if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13).
As for Christian martyrdom in the Great Tribulation (the last 3½ years of this era of human history):
- “As I watched, this horn [the Antichrist] was waging war against the holy people [Christians and Jews] and defeating them …” (Daniel 7:21).
- “It [the Antichrist] was given power to wage war against God’s holy people [Christians and Jews] and to conquer them” (Revelation 13:7).
Does this sound like a great Christian revival is coming to the West?
My Apologies
Sorry to be such a bearer of bad news, but this is what Scripture says – and the headlines endorse it daily as Christian persecution and anti-Semitism are drastically rising. Expect many more such headlines in the days, months, and years ahead – and don’t listen to the modern-day “prophets” who are dispensing the voices they hear in their own heads.
But do keep this one glorious fact in mind: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. … coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).
That day is coming; we only need hold on a little longer!
[1] https://www.christianpost.com/news/anti-christian-violence-attacks-churches-europe-all-time-high-2019-report.html
Blue Collar Theologian
January 22, 2020
David, PLEASE keep speaking and writing the Truth!
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dettinger47
January 22, 2020
I’ll try. Thank you, Mandy.
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Bruce
January 22, 2020
Hi David, I agree with everything you have said, especially pertaining to the “great awakening” that so many of the so called new apostles and prophets are forecasting. The only thing that will be seen is a great falling away and as you have indicated, it has I believe, already started. It’s almost like a gig saw puzzle with the final pieces being put into place. I find it amazing that there are so many who do not see it. I’m thinking that Jesus will return sometime within the latter part of ten to thirteen years and prior to that, it’s not going to be pretty. But, to those who are here and endure, we know the final outcome. It’s both sobering and a cause of joy. Thank you for your courage in speaking what I believe is indeed God’s truth. God’s grace, peace and blessings to you and yours David.
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dettinger47
January 22, 2020
Thank you for the kind words, Bruce, and right back at you regarding agreeing with everything you said!
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Efua
January 23, 2020
Yes. It ain’t going to get better. But God is with us and His grace is sufficient if we cling to Him
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dettinger47
January 23, 2020
Well said, Efua.
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Lisa Beth
January 23, 2020
Hi David, important post here.
So much of American Christianity pours resources, prayer and plans toward big revival 😕 using marketing strategies and emotionalism. Peter Tsukahira is a pastor in Mt Carmel Israel, write a book which sticks in my heart – God’s Tsunami.
In brief, he describes how the Gospel poured forth like a tsunami west from Jerusalem, out towards Europe, overseas, Americas, etc and in end times the powerful wave, having covered the globe, returns to Jerusalem and there the Jews will fully enter in.
The tragedy of wasted spiritual endeavors is MISSING WHAT GOD REALLY WANTS US TO DO!
Sorry for long comment and caps too!
Press on dear brother!
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dettinger47
January 23, 2020
Thank you for these great truths, Lisa Beth. I totally concur!
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mrsmariposa2014
January 23, 2020
A heavy truth but one we can bear through God’s strength and the knowledge that on the other side of all this for those of us who trust in Him is life eternal. Thanks for continuing to share the Word. It’s definitely needed in this hour!
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dettinger47
January 23, 2020
Thank you, Marisa.
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seekingdivineperspective
January 23, 2020
It IS a hard reality, especially for people like me who do pray for revival. I’m not sure that both revival and persecution can’t happen simultaneously. I have observed instances where a government or radical group tried to stop the spread of the Christian faith with persecution, and the plan backfired – persecution actually increased the spread of the gospel. (As in Acts, when the Church scattered as persecution started – they took the gospel with them to all the places they scattered to!) Persecution was like trying to put out a fire by pouring gasoline on it.
The kind of faith that we see in some American so-called “revivals” is embraced for its “prosperity.” “Name it and claim it” (aka, “blab it and grab it”) is a shallow, “what’s-in-it-for-me?” kind of faith. So persecution will bring a falling away of many who have professed faith, but I expect it will be a falling away of those whose faith was not well rooted in the first place (the shallow soil and the weeds as Jesus described in His parable of the seeds.) There may be diminished numbers of people professing faith in Christ, but an increase is the kind of believer that is fully committed to be faithful to Him, no matter what. In other parts of the world they understand that to accept Christ as Savior and Lord is a virtual death sentence, and yet people are receiving Him anyway. May we all be like them.
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dettinger47
January 23, 2020
Well said. I agree!
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