Not Appointed to Wrath, But Not Immune To Persecution

 Not Appointed to Wrath, But Not Immune To Persecution – Joe Hawkins - https://www.rev310.net/post/not-appointed-to-wrath-but-not-immune-to-persecution The concept of a pre-tribulation rapture has often been misunderstood, especially by critics who argue that those holding this view believe they will escape all forms of persecution. The truth,however, is far more nuanced. While the Bible clearly teaches that believers will be spared from the wrath of God, a future outpouring of divine judgment during the tribulation period, there is no promise that Christians will escape persecution in this presentage. In fact, the Scriptures speak extensively about the persecution that believers will face before the rapture, and the global stage provides evidence of this reality. Persecution Is Not Escapable One of the most persistent misconceptions is that believers in the pre-tribulation rapture expect to escape all forms of hardship, particularly persecution. Critics argue that this belieffosters a sense of complacency or avoidance of suffering, but nothing could be further from the truth. While Christians are indeed promised deliverance from the coming "wrath" (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9), this refers to the outpouring of God's wrath duringthe tribulation period, not to the trials, tribulations, and persecutions believers endure now. The Bible repeatedly tells us that persecution is part of the Christian experience. Jesus Himself warned His disciples, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcomethe world" (John 16:33). He also made it clear that those who follow Him would face opposition: "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18). The Apostle Paul echoed this sentiment when he told Timothy, "Indeed,all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). The reality is that the church has faced persecution from its inception, and it continues to face it today. The notion that pre-tribulation believers are somehow exempt from this reality isnot supported by Scripture. What the Bible does teach is that Christians will be spared from the specific period of divine judgment, also known as the "Day of the Lord," but not from the trials of this world. A Global Landscape of Christian Persecution The persecution of Christians is not a future event; it is a present reality for millions around the world. According to the World Watch List 2023 by Open Doors, more than 360 million Christiansface high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith globally. The report highlights countries like North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, and Pakistan as some of the worst offenders when it comes to persecuting believers. In places like North Korea, simply owning a Bible can result in execution or life imprisonment. In Nigeria, thousands of Christians are murdered each year by Islamic militants such as Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen. In India, radical Hindu groups often target Christians, leading to mobviolence, forced conversions, and even death. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader, systematic persecution of believers worldwide. According to Open Doors USA, in 2022 alone, 5,621 Christians were killed for their faith, 4,542 churches or Christian buildings were attacked, and 4,765 believers were detained without trial,arrested, sentenced, or imprisoned. These numbers serve as a stark reminder that persecution is not something believers will escape; it is something that many are experiencing right now. Persecution in the United States While the persecution faced by Christians in the United States may not be as overt or violent as in other parts of the world, it is still present and growing. American believers are increasinglyfacing legal, social, and cultural challenges for standing up for biblical values. The idea that persecution cannot happen in a country founded on religious freedom is rapidly being proven wrong. One notable case involved Christian baker Jack Phillips, who faced a legal battle after refusing to design a wedding cake for a same-sex couple due to his religious beliefs. The case, whichwent all the way to the Supreme Court, highlighted how Christians can be targeted for their faith, even in a country that values religious freedom. Phillips’ case is not isolated. Across the United States, Christian business owners, employees, and educatorsare facing fines, job loss, and public shaming for refusing to compromise their biblical convictions. A recent survey conducted by Lifeway Research in 2021 revealed that 60% of Protestant pastors believe religious liberty is on the decline in the U.S., with growing concerns about the futureof religious freedom for Christians. This cultural shift can be seen in various forms of media, entertainment, and political discourse, where Christianity is often portrayed in a negative light. News outlets have reported an increasing number of incidents involving the targeting of churches and Christian symbols. For example, during the social unrest of 2020, several churches acrossthe U.S. were vandalized or burned, with Christian monuments and statues being defaced. This shift reflects a cultural hostility toward the faith, one that is likely to increase as the world moves further away from biblical principles. The Biblical Call to Endure Persecution The Bible not only predicts that Christians will face persecution but also calls on believers to endure it faithfully. In Matthew 24, Jesus describes the events that will unfold in the lastdays, saying, "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name" (Matthew 24:9). This passage clearly indicates that persecution is a certainty for followers of Christ, especially as we approachthe end of the age. The Apostle Peter also encourages believers to endure suffering for the sake of Christ: "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear theirintimidation, and do not be troubled" (1 Peter 3:14). In fact, Peter goes as far as to tell believers to "rejoice" when they share in the sufferings of Christ, as this is a mark of their faithfulness (1 Peter 4:13). Paul's letter to the Romans reinforces this idea of enduring persecution as a mark of the believer's faith. He writes, "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress,or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:35-37). These passages underscore the reality that persecution is not something to be feared, but somethingto be expected and endured through the strength of Christ. Rescued from Wrath, Not Persecution While persecution is an inevitable part of the Christian life, the Bible is clear that believers are not appointed to experience God's wrath. In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul reassures the church,saying, "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ". This distinction is crucial in understanding the difference between persecution and divine wrath. Persecution comes from the world, Satan, and the forces of evil that oppose Christ and His followers. Wrath, on the other hand, is the righteous judgment of God poured out on a sinful, unbelievingworld during the tribulation. Revelation 3:10 provides further assurance of deliverance from this period of wrath: "Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon thewhole world, to test those who dwell on the earth". This promise, also referred to as the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13) / Pre-Tribulation Rapture, is the basis for believing that while Christians will face persecution, they will not face the specific period ofGod's judgment during the Tribulation (70th week of Daniel). In Luke 21:36, Jesus commands His followers to pray that they "may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man". This is not anescape from suffering in general, but from the unparalleled wrath of God that will be poured out in the final days. The church is not destined to endure this wrath, but until the rapture, Christians are called to stand firm in the face of persecution. Addressing the Desire for Persecution There are some believers who, despite not currently facing persecution, feel that they need to experience it in order to validate their faith. This mindset is deeply problematic, as it oftenstems from a misunderstanding of salvation and Christian service. The notion that one must suffer to be considered faithful can easily devolve into a form of works-based salvation, where personal suffering is viewed as a way to earn God's favor. This is contraryto the message of the gospel, which clearly teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). For those who believe they need to suffer to validate their faith, the solution is not to seek out persecution but to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. In my experience,many of the individuals who hold this belief are not experiencing persecution because they aren’t posing a significant threat to Satan’s stronghold. Simply put, they are too comfortable in their faith. The Bible calls us to be bold witnesses for Christ, andif these individuals are genuinely seeking persecution, perhaps they should start by stepping outside their comfort zones. Proclaiming Christ in a hostile world will naturally bring persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). But for those who feel that they need to be persecuted, I would challenge them to "get off the couch"and start engaging in the spiritual battle more actively. If they’re serious about their convictions, I would even recommend that they take the gospel message to places like North Korea or China, countries where believers face severe consequences for theirfaith. If these individuals desire persecution, let them see how boldly proclaiming the name of Christ in such places challenges their mindset. True persecution is not something to be sought out as a badge of honor; it is the result of faithfully living outthe Christian life in a world that opposes Christ. Conclusion The Bible does not teach that believers will escape persecution; in fact, it teaches the opposite. Persecution is an inescapable reality for those who follow Christ. Whether in countries where believers face imprisonment or death for their faith, or in nations where cultural and legal pressuresseek to marginalize and silence Christians, persecution is a present and future reality. The promise of the pre-tribulation rapture is not a promise to escape persecution, but a promise to escape the wrath of God that will be poured out on the earth. The growing persecution of Christians worldwide, whether through violent oppression or subtle cultural pressure, serves as a reminder that believers are engaged in a spiritual battle. Yet,even in the midst of persecution, we are called to endure, to remain faithful, and to keep our eyes fixed on the hope of Christ's return. We are not appointed to God's wrath, but until He calls us home, we are called to take up our cross and follow Him, evenin the face of persecution.