Persecution in the Bible

The Bible is a 6000-year war between God and Satan. This war began immediately after Adam ate from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, betraying God’s command (Genesis 3:22). Sin entered the world and Satan, who is the author of sin and death (Romans 6:23), has reigned over this whole world since then. This is why Satan could show and tempt Jesus with the power and authority of the world (Matthew 4).

Throughout the 6000 years of Biblical history, God’s people have always been persecuted by the authorities and powers of the world. After Adam's generation became tainted by sin, God appointed Noah and commanded him to build an ark. For nearly 100 years, Noah pled with the people to board the ark from an impending flood, but they scorned him. The flood swept all of Adam's generation away and only eight people -  the family of Noah - believed in God's promise delivered through His messenger and were saved. 500-700BC, God sent His prophets (Isaiah-Malachi) to urge religious leaders to let go of their man-made traditions and to turn back to God. These prophets also prophesied about the coming Messiah (as recorded in the Old Testament). These prophets were all killed by the ruling religious authorities.

For the next 500 or so years, these prophecies were made known to the people. But when Jesus Christ came to testify as the fulfilment and reality of this promise, the religious leaders - who had mastered all the prophecies of the Old Testament and its 613 laws - refused to believe in his words. Instead, they labelled Jesus “demon-possessed” (Mark 3:22) and a 'sect' leader (Acts 24:5), and prevented their flock from going to him and ultimately crucified him. Jesus resurrected and commanded his eleven disciples (Judas had already betrayed) to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28). The early Christians were obedient to Jesus' command and suffered terribly for their faith, as they were tortured, faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning and were sawn in two (Hebrews 11:35-38). Yet the martyrs were willing to sacrifice their lives for Jesus because of their certain hope in the resurrection and eternal life. Jesus had told his disciples that they would be hated as Christians (John 15:18), but Jesus also said that one who is persecuted for righteousness should rejoice because one's reward will be great in heaven (Matthew 5:10).

The book of Revelation, which is the last book of the Bible Jesus promised long after his resurrection, is a book of promises about future events that must take place. In this book of promise, the martyrs appear again in chapter 6 and, in chapter 7, there is a promised Great Tribulation. It is after the Great Tribulation takes place that a great multitude of people that no one can count will listen to today's plain explanation about the book of Revelation and come to God's promised kingdom. This promised kingdom exists today on the earth and is a victim of severe persecution by the powers and authorities of the world. This unseen war between God and Satan which plays out between people on the earth will come to an end when God fulfils His final promise. God, heaven and paradise that left the earth after Adam's betrayal 6000 years ago. A time will come when every tear will be wiped from our eyes and creation will experience life without death, mourning, crying or pain.

★For those who want to learn about this new promise in the book of Revelation, or have had a long life of faith but have prayers yet to be answered, are curious about Revelation, are waiting for Jesus' Second Coming or are curious about the mysteries of human life (birth, old age, sickness and death), you can register for Shincheonji Church of Jesus' online Bible Study Course, delivered by experienced lecturers free of charge⇨http://bit.ly/bible_061102 (English)

⇨http://bit.ly/shengjing_061102 (Chinese)