Will Christians suffer not in the Last Days?
There is a teaching that true Christians will not suffer because they will be raptured first and the “uncommitted Christians” will be left here on earth and will suffer, and they can be save if they will not deny Jesus. Is this belief Biblical?
It is written that those who will live godly in Christ will suffer persecution (not those who will not live godly in Christ):
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Acts 14:22 ….and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Is these written only for the early church? No, even now, in countries like China and North Korea, many Christians are suffering persecution. And Jesus also tells us about the Last Days:
Matthew 24:21-22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Jesus said that the elect in those days will experience great tribulation. The great tribulation has not happened yet, in the future there shall be a world-wide tribulation:
Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted and will kill you. And you will be hated of all nations for My name's sake.
Interestingly, Jesus told his disciples:
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 17:15 I do not pray that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil.
John 16:33 I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
Have you ever been reviled because of your faith in Jesus? If not, why not? Compromising?
May you also pray for me, to obey God in difficult times. God bless you.
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