Opinions?

[Amanda's mom]

Do you think that Christians in the "free" world (e.g. the USA, British Isles, Canada, etc) will need to be as persecuted as those in other countries (e.g. China) before we will be raptured? Or, do you think that God will have mercy on us and take us home sooner?

[JY11]

That is a tough question to answer. Certainly, free-world Christians are persecuted, but not in the violent manner that takes place in China and the M.E. Our persecution is more verble and spiritual in nature. I'm hoping that the Father is about to say "enough's enough already. Son, go take your bride!" :)

[icebear]

i have wondered that myself, but didn't really find any answers.


some individual Christians are persecuted worse than others, so its the same on a larger scale, whole groups in different countries experience it to varying degrees.

even non-Christians get persecuted horribly for their beliefs or lack thereof :idunno


its a fallen, dying, groaning world... :(

[ImOnStandby221]

Do you think that Christians in the "free" world (e.g. the USA, British Isles, Canada, etc) will need to be as persecuted as those in other countries (e.g. China) before we will be raptured? Or, do you think that God will have mercy on us and take us home sooner?

the key phrase that you use here is "need to be".

nothing "needs to" take place before the Rapture, it's an imminent event.

secondly, there are those who believe, while Christians won't be going through the tribulation that somehow we need a "purifying" experience (i.e. persecution) to somehow make us "ready" or "worthy". this idea must be rejected. nothing can make us any more ready, worthy, purified or clean in the eyes of G-d than what's already been done by Yeshua.

i think it's quite possible, if the L-rd tarries that things in the U.S. could get as bad for Christians here as in other parts of the world and we should recognize the possibility that we may have to suffer persecution alongside our brothers in other countries. but in answer to the specific question: no, we don't "need to be" persecuted in order to affect G-d's overall plan of either the Rapture or salvation.

[Joseph The Carpenter]

the key phrase that you use here is "need to be".

nothing "needs to" take place before the Rapture, it's an imminent event.

secondly, there are those who believe, while Christians won't be going through the tribulation that somehow we need a "purifying" experience (i.e. persecution) to somehow make us "ready" or "worthy". this idea must be rejected. nothing can make us any more ready, worthy, purified or clean in the eyes of G-d than what's already been done by Yeshua.

i think it's quite possible, if the L-rd tarries that things in the U.S. could get as bad for Christians here as in other parts of the world and we should recognize the possibility that we may have to suffer persecution alongside our brothers in other countries. but in answer to the specific question: no, we don't "need to be" persecuted in order to affect G-d's overall plan of either the Rapture or salvation.

:waveI agree, we do not need to be persecuted. Yes things could get very bad in America.:faint

[Dave-BNBIH]

We were told that we would have troubles and persecution and difficulties and all the other problems that living on this cursed planet brings, but we are also told that we are not part of the Tribulation. The things that have been happening over the past years are part of the proof that the Trib. is near, that is all. Believers have suffered through terrible things for their testimony of Jesus, while others[in the exact same time frame] did not have to suffer these persecutions, torture, misuse, etc..but lived normal lives, going about their tasks and raising their families and then passed on to Paradise. Generations and generations have lived thusly. So, to think in ones mind that just because there are Believers somewhere else in this time frame that are being tortured, persecuted, misused, etc...requires that we be; is totally errant and I would tend to say[from my own experience] the flesh rebelling, or the enemy whispering; or both. For if this were true, ALL the Believers that lived from Christ to now would have to be put through the same thing[if they lived a peaceful, prosperous life for example], which is not according to Scripture at all. Many of us have already had a very tough life, and have went through torments and tribulation[the loss of loved ones, home, job, health, motor skills, ability to work, etc..], but we have become tough in the Lord and the Power of His Might, and will STAND in the Word and the knowledge that,'All things work to the good of those that love the Lord.'[paraphrase mine]
His Great and Precious Promises will see us through these last few seconds before Daddy blows His Trump, so that we may be witness to the opening of the First Seal.
There are many that have the horsemen riding already, and that is an error according to Scripture, which has them looking for Trib. events that have not happened yet.
Take heart, and build yourself up in the Lord and the Power of HIS Might for thus says the Lord,'Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit.' And I am confident that Holy Spirit, our friend, and Daddy's Holy Angels, will peform their tasks in these end times by restraining the evil one, and protecting the Brethren, respectively.
;) ;) :) :)
Psa 91:9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
Psa 91:10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
Psa 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
Psa 91:12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Psa 91:13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
Psa 91:14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Psa 91:16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."
Maranatha:)

[felixthecat]

Do you think that Christians in the "free" world (e.g. the USA, British Isles, Canada, etc) will need to be as persecuted as those in other countries (e.g. China) before we will be raptured? Or, do you think that God will have mercy on us and take us home sooner?

I believe Christians are already being "persecuted" emotionally in the U.S. by not allowing them to practice what they believe - forcing kids to endure a "Day of Silence", not allowing Christ to be mentioned in their speeches after achieving something, teaching them evolution and shunning Creation in schools, not allowing prayer at the start of football games ... God is being erased from our society making it more difficult for kids and adults to share and live the TRUTH. Since it is happeneing now, I see God letting us endure this till He is ready to take us home.

[willow]

No answers. I know they nailed my sinless Savior to a tree. Why would I think I deserve any less? They killed his chosen 6 million at a time. Why would I think I deserve any less?

[Caver]

My personal opinion....nothing more than that,

I believe Europe had their time of persecution, over came it and became a Christian stronghold, prospered and has gone downhill since....

The US was formed from this group and has peaked and gone downhill lagging Europe by 75-25 years, but catching up fast. We didn't have to go through the persecution because we were formed from it.

Both Europe and NA has been shown....the blessings and the strength of His word has been proven to us....its now our decision to believe or not believe but we had to make our personal decision while in posession of all the blessings that came from a nation in submission and belief. We are following the world, not the Spirit and there won't be a second chance on a national scale.

China and much of Asia and Africa are where we were several hundred years ago. They are being exposed the first time and are being convicted without the excess of the world to tempt diversion. If there were enough time available, which I don't think there is, they would follow the same sinful path as Europe and NA.

A synopsis...The Word is being spread through the world and to those never before exposed to Faith, there is a cycle. We are convicted and come in Faith, we receive the blessings and find ourselves too sinful to have all the blessings without giving credit and belief unto ourselves. We then start the downward slide. We now seperate, those few looking for the narrow gate and the herd seeking the feel good and self indulgence gate.

Exactly what that means and all the implications....I have no idea. As the OP stated...just a personal opinion.

[Waiting...]

I think that we are reaping the benefits of our Christian founders. You ...blessing and cursings sometimes go over many generations. Maybe our forefathers bought some time for us.