Thursday, February 2, 2017

The Persecuted Church: Open Doors - The World Watch List 2017

[1Pe 5:8-11 ESV] 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Did you know that one in every twelve countries, being a Christian means you are breaking the law or suffering some form of penalty and persecution. 2016 was one of the worst years in history that our brothers and sisters in Christ faced serious persecution, death to imprisonment and torture. The top five most dangerous countries for Christians are North Korea, Somalia, Afganistan, Pakistan and Sudan.
Click here to see more details from the ministry called "Open Doors" about the 2017 World Watch list as seen above. To learn more about Open Doors check out their website here and click on a few of their many videos at the bottom of the page.

Pray for our persecuted family members and in many cases the widows and orphans made that way by the horrific persecution that God warns us about in His Word....

[1Pe 4:12-13, 19 ESV] 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ... 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
[2Co 4:8-12 ESV] 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
[Rev 20:4 ESV] 4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
[Mar 13:11-13 ESV] 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

 Open Doors Videos- Click here

No comments:

Post a Comment

Comment or send questions: