Early Christians in the book of Acts faced fierce opposition, but instead of trembling in fear, they saw persecution as what it was -- an opportunity to exhibit their faith.
Most in the first century endured persecution, no matter the cost, rather than denounce their faith.
Early believers felt compelled to lift up Jesus Christ:
"for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." --- Acts 4:20
And to unbelievers who witnessed their unwavering courage in the face of persecution, this became a powerful testimony, drawing others to the message of Christ.
Our unwavering faith and end time testimony will draw the lost to Christ Jesus.
Matthew 10 is full of end time instructions and should be studied and understood.
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And like John the Baptist
(Matthew 3:2), this should also be our cry:
"And proclaim as you go, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10:7)
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When we flee, will we have this annointing as in Joel 2?
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons." (Matthew 10:8)
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I believe our Lord, refering to the end times, has changed this for us and we should take a money belt and a bag.
see:
Luke 22:35-36
"Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food." (Matthew 10:9-10)
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This will require discernment which I believe our Lord will give us.
"And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you." (Matthew 10:11-13)
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Not everyone will receive the gospel.
"And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town." (Matthew 10:14)
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To face persecution, we will need wisdom and humility from God.
Persecution Will Come
"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16)
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Our Lord is preparing us for likely persecution and possible imprisonment.
"Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles." (Matthew 10:17-18)
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Our Lord is reminding us not to be afraid of persecution but to trust in Him.
"When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20)
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In the end times, we will be betrayed and hated.
"Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. (Matthew 10:21-22)
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We know that patient endurance is a needed attribute for navigating the end times persecution.
"But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22)
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Our Lord instructs us about fleeing persecution.
"When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." (Matthew 10:23)
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Our Lord is reassuring us to have no fear of man but to fear Him and Him alone.
"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:26-28)
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No matter the cost, we are told to not deny our Lord.
"So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)
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Many will be against us, even those of our household.
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household." (Matthew 10:34-36)
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We must love the Lord our God with all our heart, taking up our cross and following Him.
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:37-39)
In essense, we should avoid confrontation and persecution when possible but without compromising our faith.
While understanding that there may be times we have to endure persecution with patience and love.
But whatever the cost, we should never deny Jesus.
God does have a plan.
Our job during the end times is to patiently trust and obey our Lord Him completely:
"Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful."
--- Revelation 13:10 NLT
God does not cause persecution but God allows it to accomphlish His Purpose in the end times.
see webpage: "God's Plan and Purpose" for more on this.