Earlier this year, the Bible app saw record-breaking downloads in countries where there is Christian persecution. On Jan. 5, there were 798,000 installs in one day, the most single-day downloads the app has had since it first launched in 2008. Meanwhile, another report from Open Doors found "more than 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith" across the world.

In reaction to the Bible app findings, YouVersion founder Bobby Gruenewald told The Christian Post that "this year's increase is even higher than this same time last year, and it's a trend [they're] seeing globally."

Notably, various parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East were regions where a majority of apps for the Bible app took place. In Egypt alone, there was a 94 percent increase in installations in Egypt, 48 percent in Pakistan, and 166 percent overall in the Middle East.

According to the 2024 Global Persecution Index (GPI) by International Christian Concern, Egypt and Pakistan were both listed in the report for severely persecuting and mistreating Christians due to radical Islamic extremism and blasphemy laws.

It is no surprise that Christians across the world are persecuted for their faith. The apostle Paul writes, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV). Let us be reminded that we live in a fallen world that is opposed to God. Jesus tells His disciples, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18). He also tells them that the world will persecute them just as they have persecuted Him (v20).

Although persecution is high, the amazing news is that so many people are downloading the Bible app because they realize that there is a hunger for God. No amount of threats or violence has ever stopped the church from growing and the gospel from spreading. As stated by the 2nd-century theologian Tertullian, "blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church," which stresses how persecution of those who have died for the faith ultimately resulted in the spread of Christianity.

The Book of Acts is replete with examples of Christians persevering amid persecution– whether it's an angel freeing the apostles from prison for preaching the gospel (Acts 5:29), in which they continued preaching afterward, or the scattering of believers to different regions following the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 8:1-4), the continued preaching of the gospel by the apostle Paul and Barnabas in the city of Iconium despite prior threats of mistreatment and being stoned by both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 14:1-7).

Despite later being placed under house arrest in Rome, Paul continued to proclaim "the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance" (Acts 28:31). In fact, that is how the book of Acts ends, with Paul at work for the Lord preaching His gospel despite being in chains.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs, written by 16th-century English historian John, provides a detailed account of Christian martyrs, whether its Jesus, the apostles, and first-century Christians, and throughout church history through the Inquisition and the Reformation, as well as accounts of modern-day martyrs and persecutions in places such as China, India, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Africa, the Soviet Union, and around the Middle East in updated versions of the book.

Nevertheless, the gospel has continued and will continue to spread across the world, no matter what God's people will face. The Lord Jesus Christ contends that not even "the gates of hell" shall prevail against the church (Matthew 16:18). What encouragement do Christians have that the church prevails against all opposition– whether it's oppressive countries, ruthless leaders, or even the gates of hell? Not even the devil himself can destroy that which the Lord has established and preserved til the end.

The Great Commission is just as relevant today as when Jesus Christ first commissioned His disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). Even amidst the end times, where Christian persecution and wickedness will increase, as well as deception of false prophets, Christ says, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come," (Matthew 24:9-14). Perseverance and the gospel go hand in hand, hence why Christianity, through the power of God, continues to thrive.

In conclusion, be encouraged that so many are turning to the Bible app because it demonstrates a hunger for God, necessary for their need for Christ, who alone can save their sins. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit would bring God's Word to life for unbelievers reading the Scriptures and strengthen the faith of believers. And let us, as the body of Christ, be motivated even further to preach the Good News in light of so many Bible app downloads– whether you decide to go abroad or right in your neighborhood– so that people will come to know the Lord.

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