But Understand This...

Greetings,

For a long time Christians in Canada have been living in relative comfort and ease. How much longer will this last? The Bible promises that those who follow Jesus will face adversity and trials. We should not fear or dread this, but we should prepare our hearts to suffer for the name of Jesus. I can imagine a time coming for Canada where religious freedoms will be a memory, where the Bible is censored and where Pastors will be imprisoned for refusing to agree with or participate in sinful practices. Blessed are the persecuted, for they share in Christ's sufferings.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:11-12

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is within you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame. - 1 Peter 3:14-16

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. - 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. - Matthew 24:9-13

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. - Hebrews 10:39