Persecution of Christians is always going on. In many places it is physical persecution. Here in our country, and increasingly in the West generally, it is political persecution. There is tremendous political persecution now from humanistic liberalism gradually legislating to put down Christianity and the church of Christ. Ultimately to make it illegal to express our views. As they make sinful things allowable and legal, so the legislation comes in to force us to comply and to be quiet. So though we have only ever been nominally a Christian country, the persecution of legislation, political legislation is now trying to diminish us and marginalise us and put us out of the picture. And it is will bite increasingly.
Then there is intellectual persecution. The likes of Professor Dawkins – look at the attention they get: best-selling books, fantastic media coverage, broadcasts, television and so on, and yet no opportunity for Christian spokesmen to put the other point of view. There they promote atheism with ridiculous charges against Christianity and against the Bible. Ludicrous statements are being made. So easily exposed and made to look ridiculous. And yet no opportunity is given for that to happen. So we have political persecution. We have intellectual persecution. And soon no doubt physical persecution will return. We are the children of the little flock, Christ says. The world’s system is against us and its opposition is energised by the devil, the enemy of souls. But be of good courage. I have overcome the world, he says. The world is doing these things, but it is already under judgment. The end will come. Christ will come again. There is judgement even in this life. You look back across history. Empires rise, they become mighty, and then God casts them down after a season. The tokens of judgement in nations diminished for their atheism, idolatry and godlessness, just litters the pages of history. But this world’s system is already judged, and finally the end will come. And salvation can never be taken away from Christian people, and Christ will go on getting conquests in lives even in the midst of persecution. ‘Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’