WAYS ATTACK MAY COME TO CHURCHES
  1. The Focus Of Persecution.   John 15:18- 21; Col. 1:27b.

    The attack has been and always will be against our Lord.

  2. The Language Of The Overcomer.

    1. The rallying words of a conqueror - "overcome".   Rev. 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21.
    2. The secret of overcoming.   Rev. 12:11.
      1. "by the blood of the Lamb," Rev. 12:11a.
        (Note study on importance of the blood.)
        1. Peace with God.
        2. Peace with our conscience.
        3. Power in the life.
        4. This weapon is lost:
          1. By liberal theology - no blood.
          2. By liberation theology - no cross.
          3. By burdenless preaching - no power.
      2. "by the word of their testimony;" Rev. 12:11b.
        1. Satan attempts to rob us of the victory by causing us to not open our mouth
          or causing us to lose our testimony and credibility.
        2. There is the "internal enemy" also.
          1. Division within congregations.
          2. Fear.
          3. Unbelief.
          4. Lack of love.
          5. Sidetracked on issues, etc., rather than focusing on people and
            souls.
        3. Lack of care of our families.
        4. Plans and projects that are not the will of God.
        5. Anything that would put our life out of balance.
      3. "they loved not their lives unto the death."   Rev. 12:11c.
        1. Compromise is not in the vocabulary.
        2. Examples of Christians who have suffered.
        3. Not only the physical life is involved.
          1. It may be necessary to die to ambitions, position, and rights.
          2. Self-judgment is necessary.   I Peter 4:17,18.

  3. The Order Of Persection.

    Persecution is not some kind of a blanket or exact, detailed thing in every country, be it
    communistic, religious or some other totalitarian government.   There are some general
    signs however when persecution may be about to begin.

    1. Limitations in evangelism.
      1. Christians are not given permission to travel or choose their employment.
      2. All Christian programs are eliminated from radio and TV.
      3. Any religious meetings outside of church buildings are prohibited.

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      1. Permission must be secured for the times of worship.   No meeting together
        except at those specified times.
      2. Government infiltrators or spies are present in all services.
    1. The importation of Bibles and Christian literature is prohibited.
      1. Such printed material is considered non-essential.
      2. There are situations where the Bible was placed in the same category as
        pornographic material.
    2. Foreign mies. are expelled from the country.
      1. By laws limiting clergy to local nationals.
      2. By laws prohibiting foreigners to work in the country.   In others, one can only
        be a tourist with limited stay or travel only in certain specified areas.
      3. By direct threats and violence against foreigners.
    3. Christian leaders are threatened and severely discriminated against.
      1. Mail is censored and pastors are limited in the subjects they can preach.
        1. Tax exempt status will be taken from the churches if anything political is
          even mentioned from the pulpits.
        2. Pastors are kept "in line" by threats of the seizing of their children by the
          government.
      2. Pastors are not allowed to devote all their time to the ministry.
        1. "They must become productive members of the society."
        2. This means that they must become bi-vocational.
        3. They may be assigned to such jobs that take all their strength and time.
      3. Pastors are not allowed to visit their members or to distribute gospel literature.
      4. Churches are not allowed to have typewriters, computers or printing equipment.
      5. Pastors may be manipulated by scare tactics.
        1. They may be summoned for questioning.
        2. They may be forced to attend certain government "indoctrination" classes.
        3. Special "tempting" offers may be made to them as coercion or seduction.
          1. This may be in the form of special privileges.
          2. It may be in the form of admission of their children into college or to
            other vocations rather than those to which Christians are limited.
        4. They may be harassed by middle of the night house searches.
        5. Their services may be invaded by a number of government "goons".
      6. Pastors may be assigned to work in some remote and distant place in the
        country.
        1. The purpose is to isolate them from their people and other Christians.
        2. They may be given very demeaning and humiliating jobs.
      7. Pastors are arrested and "re-educated".
        1. This can include torture.
        2. They may be put to open shame.
        3. False accusation and untrue testimony given against them.
    4. Churches are forced to register.
      1. All church leaders must be approved by the state.
      2. All sermons must be written out and reviewed by certain individuals or
        departments before they can be delivered.
      3. Statements must be signed before they are allowed to preach.
        1. Example: That they will not mention the government in their sermons.
        2. Example: No attempt will be made to evangelize the unsaved.

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    1. Denominations are forced to unite.
      1. The number of denominations is limited.
      2. All come under the control of a national ecumenical council.
      3. A totally national church is "created".
    2. Educational and vocational opportunities for Christians are limited.
      1. Only members of certain youth groups are allowed to attend university.
      2. No Christian can be a doctor, lawyer, professor or social worker.
      3. Christians have no choice in their vocation or employment.
    3. Religious education of all under 18 is prohibited.
      1. No home schooling is allowed.
      2. Christian young people are forced to attend "special education" classes on
        atheism, evolution, sex education and "alternative lifestyles".
      3. Parents that violate the law are subject to the loss of their children.
    4. Christians are prohibited from giving aid to each other.
      1. When one member of a family is arrested, the family loses certain "rights" or
        "privileges".
        1. This may include the right to medical care, housing or food.
        2. The family is isolated by not being allowed to fraternize with fellow believers
          or even other extended family members.
    5. Churches are closed.
      1. Buildings are converted to other uses.
      2. Christians are "assigned" to remote or other areas so as to isolate them.
      3. Christians are forbidden to have contact with other believers.

  1. Many Christians Firmly Believe That It Will Never Happen To Them.

    1. For some reason they believe themselves exempt.
    2. The Rapture of believers is certain but we have no right to believe that God will
      excuse us from persecution.

  2. Present Lessons For Believers.

    1. Pray as never before for our nation and its leaders.   I Tim. 2:14; Rom. 13:1-7.
    2. Determine to be a conqueror.   Rev. 12:11.

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