Preparing for Persecution
BY BERIT KJOS
http://www.crossroad.to/Persecution/persecution.htm
On a cold drizzly day in early 1998 [long before the NSA raised fear of a rising Police State], I took a sobering tour through the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. A picture of a Gestapo officer brought back memories of the Nazi soldiers that guarded our neighborhood in Norway during World War II. Young as I was (I was born in Oslo shortly before Hitler's invasion of Norway), I will never forget the piercing air raids, the thundering war planes, our hiding place in the basement, and the sounds of exploding bombs and fires around us.
My young father was a leader in "Hjemme Fronten" (the Home Front) -- an underground army of loyal Norwegians who would risk death than submit to Nazi tyranny. Caught helping other brave soldiers escape into neutral Sweden, he endured hunger, torment, and the threat of death in Oslo's main Nazi concentration camp before his release at the end of the war.
The Norwegian people didn't known such tyranny until the Nazi warships sailed up the Oslofjord on April 9, 1940. Overnight, Hitler's fascism replaced liberty and trusted friends became foes. Resistance to the new ideology would be costly. But for most Norwegians, the choice was clear. Unlike Hitler's masses, we hadn't been weakened by years of ceaseless propaganda, slogans, service, and celebrations dedicated to the triumph of National Socialism.
Decades later, Andy and I visited the Holocaust museum in Auschwitz, Poland. Our journey through dark memories of WW2 began in the section dedicated to Nazi propaganda. Pausing by each display, I was startled by words that could so easily describe America today. The quotes brought stark reminders that, apart from God, human nature doesn't change with time. Nor do the aims of the spiritual mastermind behind the scenes who has always sought ways to stir hatred toward God's people. One tactic was simply to provide nice-sounding alternatives to biblical faith and service.
"Individuals were urged to sacrifice themselves for a greater 'People's Community,'" announced one of the displays. Such slogans must have sounded good to the masses, for few saw the cruel manipulation behind the noble words.
I thought of President Clinton's calls for "sacrifice", "service, "unity", "common values", "civil society," and "safe" communities. How many people today see the ominous meanings behind such noble words?
Another display stated that:
"elementary schools became forums of public indoctrination.
"The Gestapo gathered much of its information from private citizens. Even children were taught to report on their parents. The Gestapo's main sources, however, were Nazi party officials. who constantly monitored the activities of all citizens [and] used such information to track political opponents."
If you have read our articles on Education and Mind Control you know that America's leaders are using intrusive surveys, assessments, and classroom encounter groups to persuade children to divulge private information about their family's faith, values, disciplines, and church attendance. As in Nazi Germany, socialization, not academic learning, has become the primary goal of education. Children are learning the group thinking and socialist values needed for the envisioned 21st century communities and global workforce.
Do you find this hard to believe? Many do. That's why we urge you to read some of our articles that document the "paradigm shift" from American individualism and freedom to collectivism and control. The following reports should will help you and your loved ones understand and prepare for the growing hostility toward biblical Christianity:
The new set of global values are based on a blend of earth-centered beliefs, socialist ideology, and globalist goals. They rule out biblical boundaries and absolutes. Genuine Christianity simply won't fit.
Our political, legal and education systems have been infiltrated by leaders who have betrayed America for a hollow vision of a global village. Hollywood has taught our children to laugh at evil, while schools immerse them in "fun" pagan rituals to other gods. Meanwhile, many church leaders are ashamed to even mention sin and the cross, and casual "Christians" are drifting with the trends -- too distracted to know or care.
We shouldn't be surprised. Again and again, the Old Testament shows our natural inclination to drift toward apathy, compromise, rebellion, and paganism -- anything but God Himself. It's happening in America, and 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 tells us that we are not immune to consequences like those that destroyed ancient Israel. Did we forget?
God told us repeatedly what would happen to a nation that that refuses to follow its Shepherd. Listen to this warning and see how it fits our times:
"When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments.... Lest when thou hast eaten and art full... then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God.... And thou say in thine heart, my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. ... And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods... ye shall surely perish." (Deuteronomy 8:10-19)
Having left their Father's protection, God's beloved Israel faced famine, war, slavery, and oppression. When they cried out to God, He restored them, but their peace and prosperity didn't last long. Soon the cycle of apathy, compromise, rebellion and oppression began once again.
God may withdraw His protection from a nation that turns to other gods, but He never fails to guard and guide those who remain faithful to Him. He doesn't promise to save us from pain and persecution, but in the midst of suffering we can count on His strength and loving presence.
Remember, "the whole world lieth in wickedness." (1 John 5:19). Satan's subjects will always despise our King, twist His truth, and hate His people. Why should we not expect opposition?
Jesus described the normal Christian life: "If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you..." He told His disciples, "because they know not Him that sent me." John 15:20-21
We need to take His warning to heart, count the cost of discipleship, and pray that our Shepherd prepare us for inevitable battles ahead. Prayerfully consider these steps -- as a family or as an individual believer:
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Learn from those who suffered persecution because of their faith. (See "victory")
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Memorize hymns and songs that enable you to keep praising Him and affirming His victory.
Silently practice singing to Him in the midst of all kinds of distractions.
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By His wonderful grace, "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matthew 5:44-45
Finally...
"...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.... For consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds." Hebrew 12:1-3
Those who choose uncompromising discipleship will find an unspeakable joy in the nearness of our Lord. Stephen did. (Read Acts 6:8-7:60) Remember how his face shone as his persecutors hurled the stones that crushed his body. Like him, we called to demonstrate to a needy world the overcoming power of our majestic, heavenly King who reaches down to this darkening world to guide us along His way.
When I was little, I loved our Norwegian king. Like him, I wanted to be brave enough to die rather than surrender. Years later I learned that this beloved human leader was nothing compared to my heavenly King. Yet my earthly king and the years of war, danger, and deprivation gave me a vision of genuine Christianity that I continue to treasure. I saw that we, His bride and Church, are like a nation of loyal subjects -
who love and obey their King
who discover in their common devotion and warfare a fellowship that can rarely be found apart from persecution
who refuse to compromise, and
who persevere until death -- or until the war is won.
To sustain us through the battles ahead, our King has given us many precious promises. Few bring more delight than the following words from our Master. May they fill you with joy at the unspeakable privilege of serving our sovereign King, following in His footsteps, and sharing His resurrection life for all eternity.
"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven..." Luke 6:22-23
