There is something that has been weighing heavily on my heart.
The Church of Jesus Christ has never been a stranger to persecution. From the days of the apostles until now, believers have walked a narrow road marked by suffering, rejection, and, for many, death.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV)
That is not a suggestion.
That is not written to one generation or one nation.
That is the pattern of the Church.
A History Written in Blood
In the early centuries, Christians were fed to lions, burned at the stake, and hunted like criminals.
They were mocked, beaten, and driven from their homes.
“Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment… being destitute, afflicted, tormented.”
— Hebrews 11:36–37 (KJV)
The world called them fools.
God called them faithful.
And if we move forward through history, nothing has changed.
In the last hundred years alone, more Christians have suffered persecution than in all previous centuries combined. Across the Middle East, in China, in North Korea, across parts of Africa—our brothers and sisters in Christ have endured things most Americans cannot even imagine.
They have lost homes.
They have lost family.
They have lost their lives.
And yet—they have not lost their faith.
A Church Unfamiliar with Suffering
Now, let us bring this closer to home.
The American Church has lived through a season of freedom unmatched in history.
We have had open Bibles, open doors, and open worship.
We have built buildings, programs, and platforms.
But I must ask a hard question:
Have we built faith that can endure suffering… or comfort that collapses under pressure?
Because many have come to believe that we will never face what the rest of the world has already endured.
Some have placed their hope in being taken out before any real hardship begins.
But Scripture does not teach us to prepare for escape—
It teaches us to prepare to stand.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
— Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)
What Makes Us Different?
What makes the American Christian different from the believer in Gaza?
Or Iran?
Or North Korea?
Does God love us more?
Are we more worthy of protection?
No.
We are part of the same Body.
“And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it…”
— 1 Corinthians 12:26 (KJV)
The same Lord who walks with them in persecution will walk with us.
But the question is—
Are we ready?
The Danger of False Expectation
There is a danger in believing that we will escape all tribulation.
Because if we are not prepared for suffering, suffering will shake us.
If we are not grounded, pressure will break us.
Jesus never promised us an easy road.
He said:
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33 (KJV)
Tribulation is not the exception.
It is the expectation.
An Illustration: The House on the Rock
Jesus told a story that applies now more than ever:
“The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house…”
— Matthew 7:25 (KJV)
Both houses faced the same storm.
One stood.
One fell.
The difference was not the storm.
The difference was the foundation.
And I fear that many in the American Church have built on sand—on comfort, convenience, and cultural Christianity.
But when the storm comes, only what is built on Christ will stand.
A Call to Wake Up
We have taken freedom lightly.
We have treated the Word of God as optional.
We have grown comfortable in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to truth.
And yet the signs are all around us.
The same spirit that persecutes believers in other nations is not absent here.
It is rising.
Quietly.
Steadily.
And one day, it will no longer be quiet.
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…”
— 1 Peter 4:17 (KJV)
How Will We Stand?
When pressure comes, will we compromise?
When persecution comes—will we remain silent?
When faith costs something, will we still follow Christ?
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
— Matthew 10:22 (KJV)
Endurance is not built in a moment.
It is built now.
In prayer.
In obedience.
In surrender.
A Final Word from a Country Preacher
I do not write this to stir fear.
I write this to stir readiness.
Because the Church that is unprepared for tribulation is a Church that will struggle to stand when it comes.
Our brothers and sisters around the world are already living what many here believe they will never face.
And yet—they are faithful.
Not because it is easy.
But because Christ is worth it.
Closing
The question is not if tribulation will come.
The question is—
Will we be ready when it does?
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)
May we not be a Church that is surprised by suffering…
But a Church that is prepared to stand in it.
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