"Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also"- JEsus (John 15:20 NIV)
Jesus told his followers that persecution for their faith in God will come. Tradition holds that all of the 12 original disciples were persecuted for their faith and all but John were martyred (murdered for their faith). Christian Missionaries today are still being persecuted and even killed for their faith.
Today,there are countries that completely ban Christianity, and some countries are very hostile to Christians. In North Korea, it is believed that there are thousands of Christians in prison camps facing cruel torture. Other countries that are considered closed or hostile are Uzbekistan, Iran, China, Yemen and Laos. Most native Christians and missionaries in closed countries have church in secret. They risk their lives to worship Christ and spread the Gospel. This might seem like an absurd thing living in America, where we have freedom of religion, but Jesus forewarned His followers to persecution. Missionaries from all over the world venture into dangerous areas to spread the name of Jesus. Paul the apostle says in 2 Timothy 2:10, "Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory".
Jesus gave recognition to those who are persecuted during the Sermon on the Mount- "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).
It is a Christians duty to remember and pray for those who are being persecuted for the sake of the Gospel:"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering"- Hebrews 13:3
While it may seem that Christians are being persecuted and martyred in vain, Paul says that that is not the case. God is furthered glorified in the sufferings of Christians around the world.
"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."- Philippians 1:12-14
Today,there are countries that completely ban Christianity, and some countries are very hostile to Christians. In North Korea, it is believed that there are thousands of Christians in prison camps facing cruel torture. Other countries that are considered closed or hostile are Uzbekistan, Iran, China, Yemen and Laos. Most native Christians and missionaries in closed countries have church in secret. They risk their lives to worship Christ and spread the Gospel. This might seem like an absurd thing living in America, where we have freedom of religion, but Jesus forewarned His followers to persecution. Missionaries from all over the world venture into dangerous areas to spread the name of Jesus. Paul the apostle says in 2 Timothy 2:10, "Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory".
Jesus gave recognition to those who are persecuted during the Sermon on the Mount- "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).
It is a Christians duty to remember and pray for those who are being persecuted for the sake of the Gospel:"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering"- Hebrews 13:3
While it may seem that Christians are being persecuted and martyred in vain, Paul says that that is not the case. God is furthered glorified in the sufferings of Christians around the world.
"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."- Philippians 1:12-14