Threshing Floor Tabernacle

“Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed…” II Cor 4:9

During the year 2016, some 90,000 Christians were killed for their faith around the world, according to a new study from the Turin-based Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR). The director of CESNUR and leader of the study, Dr. Massimo Introvigne, told Breitbart News that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, and the numbers of those affected are staggering.*

Christians are targeted primarily for two reasons, Introvigne said, “first because their proclamation of peace disturbs more belligerent groups; and second, because their social teachings on life, family and poverty are opposed by powerful forces.” While “Communism’s last salvoes” are still responsible for some ill-treatment of Christians, Introvigne told Breitbart, “Islamic ultra-fundamentalism” has taken its place as the number-one agent of persecution. CESNUR’s annual study, which is slated for release next month, indicates that between 500 and 600 million Christians were in some way persecuted and prevented from freely practicing their faith.*

Ryan Mauro, national security analyst for the Clarion Project, and other experts say that the faith has continued to flourish despite growing opposition. “The persecution of Christians has failed to suppress the faith,” he said to FoxNews.com. “On the contrary, Christianity appears to be rapidly growing beneath the surface. Persecution will increase as Islamists see Christianity as an increasing problem for them.”**

Staggering news yet the outcome is encouraging. The adversary’s intention is to eliminate Christianity, the Church, from the earth. But Jesus said, “…the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Mt 16:18).” “It” is the Church that Jesus is still building in the earth. We press through the persecution, the opposition, the lies, and the deception. Our message is clear and effective: Christ came; Christ died for our sins; Christ rose from the dead. Jesus saves, Jesus heals, and Jesus delivers. Man your weapons, lock and load. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God. The persecution of Christians will continue, but we will have surpassing victory on every front. Our enemies are already defeated. Let’s take the spoil. Jesus is in charge.

“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” Ex 1:12

 

*Taken from article on Breitbart News Jan 1, 2017

**Taken from Article by Perry Chiaramonte, FoxNews.com Jan 6, 2017