The Christian Under Human Government (6) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Let no one deceive you.
2 Thessalonians 2:3

The Christian Under Human Government (6)
In our days, many Christians suffer persecution under ungodly rulers. The number of believers killed for their faith exceeds that of former times. Also, numerous books have been written about how countless Jewish people have suffered opposition and persecution under the rule of ungodly governments. In our days, many Christians suffer or have even been "eliminated" at the hands of hateful regimes. Did this ever happen before?

David was serving the government of King Saul, his father-in-law, who severely persecuted him because of jealousy. Today, we benefit from what David learned in the school of God, as he faced many dangers and difficulties. We may learn of David's wisdom and faithfulness, but also of his failures, when he put his trust in himself instead of God. Similarly, soon after the imminent rapture of the Church, there will be believers who will face tremendous opposition and persecution by a government that will pretend to serve God (; Rev. 13:15-17).

Two more recent examples: Corrie Ten Boom suffered much during World War II. Her whole family was thrown into a concentration camp because they had hidden Jewish people to protect them from the Nazis, but a neighbor betrayed them. Only Corrie survived, and then she had to face her former neighbor. She forgave him, as instructed in God's Word (Mt. 18:21-35), and this led him to be saved. This shows how important it is for Christians to forgive others.

Richard Wurmbrand suffered terribly under the communist government of Romania. After his release, he served the people who had persecuted him. His ministry grew rapidly, reaching out to many in the communist world, and also operating in countries where Christians and Jews are being harassed.

Alfred E. Bouter