Many people call themselves Christians, it’s a term freely used, especially in the so-called ‘West’ in reference to filling out all sorts of application forms.
Used by people, not wanting to seem like an UN-Godly heathen (by ticking ‘none’), those not wanting to be grouped with the other religious categories as well as true believers.
Besides, in their minds, they ‘go to’ Church occasionally to frequently, so it must be OK to say they’re a Christian, right?
My first answer to that would be, has the individual fulfilled the criteria listed in the Bible study post ‘Resting in peace…’ and do they understand the difference between ‘going to…’ and ‘being the…’?
Also, it was never Yeshua’s intention for us to be calling ourselves or trying to be “Christians”, that was a nickname given to the early Church based in Antioch (Read The Book of Acts).
The objective is for us to become true believers, people of ‘the way’, obedient children and disciples of Adonai Yeshua Hamashiach (our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ) .
I’ll cover those truths in the third and final part of Relationship vs Religion.
Most religious acknowledgers, all true believers and even some who are unsure of Yeshua’s existence, understand and agree that Yeshua paid the ultimate price, to redeem us.
He removed our sins, becoming the perfect sacrifice for human-kind through taking the torture, being crucified and thereafter resurrecting from the dead.
Truths which are echoed through the Gospels and Letters in the new covenant (testament).
It was also graphically and realistically depicted in the movie, The Passion of the Christ.
Bearing those truths in mind, why is it that a large number of western acknowledgers/believers, have a hard time in accepting that we will also have to go through some things for Yeshua?
While the brethren around the rest of the world don’t struggle with that truth, as many of them are currently going through some serious and extreme situations.
Here what God says directly to His people…
“18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also” John 15:18-20
“34 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34-39
“26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
Luke 6:26
Paul the Apostle by the leading of Yeshua’s Holy spirit adds…
“10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra— what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:10-12
Also read:- Matthew chapter 24 : verses 3 -22
More examples and the relevance today
There are many more examples of the Word of God, ‘preparing His people’ for what was to come.
The truth of the matter is, ‘truly’ living for Yeshua and declaring His truths, is going to create enemies and get you hated.
As much as we all want to be loved and liked, as much as we try to be a friend to all, if we live for Yeshua, we are going to have haters.
Sadly, many in the West want to conveniently overlook these scriptures and focus primarily on the ‘Blessings’ side of Yeshua’s loving nature.
Many try to create a distinction between the words tribulation and persecution, believing they are two separate entities, when they are not.
In fact, all that’s separating them are:- world-wide acceptance to hate, world-wide agreement to attack & world-wide agreement to kill, if necessary.
If we are talking about a ‘tribulation period’ the truth of the matter is, persecution/tribulation (against Yeshua’s children) started the moment the haters of the human race & their human puppets, realised who Adonai Yeshua Hamashiach was/is.
When the first (early) disciples were threatened and warned not to teach & preach in the name of Yeshua, the persecution ramped up to new levels, when Stephen was martyred, read the Book of Acts.
Since then, our brethren have been tortured in numerous ways and (especially under the Roman empire) used as sport for both violent men and wild animals alike.
Throughout recent history there have also been mass genocides (and smaller localised atrocities) of Yeshua’s believers, under various religious and political regimes, which hate everything about the belief, way of life and ‘that name, above all names’.
You would have to be deaf, dumb and blind, or living in some wilderness retreat, to not understand that there are many believers going through their (local to them) own tribulation period.
For those of us who know, who (like me at present) currently don’t have the resources, all we can do is pray for them to be strong, to go through it and keep the faith.
My post, ‘Prepare to go through’ was a wake up call and encouragement for western believers to prepare hearts, minds and spirits, to go through the large-scale persecution/tribulation, which will come.
As God did in Matthew chapter 24, Paul in his letter to the Church in Thessalonica, reminds the brethren and describes the order of end time events.
It would be silly of me to believe that there are no believers in the West going through their own persecution/tribulation, because there are.
However, just because it’s not happening large-scale, yet, it doesn’t mean that it hasn’t already begun.
It is pure semantics whether the interchangeable words ‘persecution’ or ‘tribulation’ are used and is both audacious and arrogant to believe it hasn’t already begun across the countries of this world.
Black, Brown, Cream and White are suffering for believing in Yeshua (Jesus).
Living within countries (communities) with loose to little or no protection, under communists political leadership or other predominant religious regimes.
They are loosing housing, being imprisoned, raped, unable to get work, beaten for having Bibles, unable to fellowship with more than a handful of people or hold larger services, lives threatened for choosing the truth, or worse, being killed.
All because they converted and became believers in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Still hard of heart?
Still don’t believe me?
Still not accepting that others are really suffering for Adonai’s names sake?
Well maybe it’s not in you to believe, but the truth remains the truth, whether it’s believed or not.
Please read this sad and distressing article I came across yesterday, of an event which happened just last year.
This may sound extreme but that’s what tribulation is…extreme.
“Pastor burned to death“
Speak to those who know, working on the ground
If you still don’t believe tribulation hasn’t already begun, please visit these websites and speak to someone at these organisations.
They will bring you up to date with what’s happening to believers in Adonai Yeshua Hamashiach, around the world.
https://www.persecutionproject.org
Why isn’t this common knowledge and world wide news?
Remember what Adonai said, the world system hated Him first, so they will hate the true believer.
It’s not in the world MM interest to let the masses know that the truth of the Bible is actually happening.
Stupidly, they don’t realise that they cannot hide truth, it will always come out.
If you are still not convinced that we are the next big global target, think about this.
Every time a true believer is given insight into world events, shares it and it happens, how do you think it makes the non-believing people they know, think and feel about them?
When we’re on social media sharing those prophetic revelations and they happen, how do you think the God hating strangers, who read it, feel about us?
The more we pre-warn and say I told you so (after it happens) the more the resentment and hatred is building up against us.
Just like the anger/hate that those (who were fooled into taking the jabs) feel when they know many of us didn’t.
Look at the reaction many mask-wearers have when they see those of us, who prefer to breathe easy without one.
Still think world-wide tribulation for believers is a long way off?
With the current Russia/Ukraine situation what’s happening in the media and sports organisations?
For example:- They are pushing for ‘athletes’ who are not political decision makers, to denounce their countries political leadership or face “the consequences”.
If their so-called superstars are not exempt from being forced to do things they may not particularly want to, what makes you think (especially as God has already warned us) that they will not be gunning for the believer?
Western persecution of believers (for now) is much more subtle but is becoming more evident and aggressive.
I’ve already done a 3-part article on the Vaccine, and shared subsequent Tweets which got me suspended from Twitter.
Comments made on YouTube also resulted in getting me silenced there, marking the initial subtle attacks on those who are not following the world system and the direction they are going in.
The thing about fear
Fear is the reason why many (in the West) want Yeshua to ‘beam them up’ before they really feel anything like the tribulation that the brethren under various political & religious regimes, are currently going through.
Fear is to be guarded against, and we are reminded (those of us who truly believe) what God has given us.
“7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Fear can cause us to ‘lie’, in an attempt to save ourselves, remember what Yeshua said about trying to save our lives?
It can cause us to doubt and lose faith in our discernment, leading us to believe the lies and propaganda given to us by the MM, influencers on SM and our non-believing family and friends.
Fear can also cause us to go against the preservation of our ‘temple’ and the following of God’s Holy Spirit, by allowing dangerous experimental drugs (vaccines) to be administered to us.
“16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Fear can also cause us to forget that Yeshua has everything under control.
That absolutely nothing happens without His consent and that He is sovereign.
“33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
One of the many scriptures of encouragement He has left us to hold onto, as well as the direct encouragement He gives to those who have a relationship with Him.
The rising storm of tribulation in the west
I understand, the regular non-believer is a naturally selfish individual, us believers were once like that, in varying degrees.
However, we cannot allow the fear and selfishness of the flesh to cloud our discernment and understanding of the times we are currently living in.
What would you call enforcement to damage your temple by taking harmful experimental vaccines?
No socialising, travelling or holidays without a suspect vaccine or id.
What happens when that spreads to healthcare, education, housing, jobs or welfare?
What happens when they succeed in first eliminating the cash, moving onto cards only, then progressing to e-credit & various forms of bit-coin. First accessed online or via smartphone?
What happens when the criminal (including hacking) elements rise, stealing smartphones, smart phone data and hacking digital accounts?
Events which will automatically force the ‘well it has to be done’ notion from the Govs & MM, to begin implementing the next ‘secure’ method.
They have begun work on it years ago but then it will be time to release the, can’t be stolen, anti-hacker chip. Where does that chip go?
Are you seeing how close world acceptance of this really is?
Are you beginning to understand that these are not events which will take place, where you live, way after you die?
Has your heart begun to soften concerning the tribulation the brethren in other regions are already going through?
Many who are ‘yet’ to become believers and believers alike, all refuse to be pushed into this NWO.
However, we can resist all we like, Yeshua said it, I believe it and it will happen.
Due to a build up of end-time events and procedures leading the the NWO.
They will first be pushing believers to accept the various policies and mandates (which go towards the implementation of the mark) thereafter they will be pushing for believers to denounce the one true God and prohibit the mentioning of his name, the name above all names, Jesus Christ, “or face the consequences”.
True believers should not be afraid.
Remember the what God said (John 16:33) and all the other encouragement He has given us throughout His word.
Remember, fear will drive you to fall away from the faith, or cause you to have a false hope.
It will cause you to believe that the Lord will rearrange events, so that western believers can escape the tribulations that other believers are facing today.
That my friend, is not going to happen.
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:1-10
We have to be prepared to go though, keep the faith and be like the five wise virgins, have enough faith, resolve and spiritual fuel in our tanks to take us right the way to the end, even if that does mean martyrdom. As that brother did last year, in the article listed in this post.
“11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Revelation 12:11
It’s not about scaring, it’s about preparing.
Please open your heart to the truths of today’s events, pray, asking the Lord to increase our faith and help our trust in Him, repent, deepen our relationships with Him and get ready to spiritually go up levels, to fight the good fight of faith.
Be careful, not fearful.
Yeshua’s Blessings.
Phil Gayle
G Man
Watiwa Mtoto wa Yeshua.
