Counted Worthy to Suffer: A Warning and Call to the Church
Few in the American church want to hear: persecution is coming and it is already here.
The Lord speaks clearly: His people must be prepared. The persecution that has long plagued the church in other nations is stirring to life here as well. The shaking has begun.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV)
The Example of the Early Church
In Acts 4, where Peter and John having been imprisoned for preaching Christ returned to their brethren and offered up this powerful prayer:
“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.”
Acts 4:29 (KJV)
The place where they gathered shook. They were filled with the Holy Ghost, and they preached the Word of God boldly. They did not cower, compromise, or seek the approval of man. They obeyed God, not men (Acts 5:29).
“We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Acts 5:29 (KJV)
Even after being beaten, the apostles rejoiced that they were “counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).
Stephen: A Witness unto Death
In the story of Stephen in Acts 6–7. A man full of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Ghost, Stephen was falsely accused and brought before the Sanhedrin. Instead of shrinking back, he delivered one of the boldest Spirit-led sermons in Scripture. He was stoned for it.
“And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Acts 7:60 (KJV)
His martyrdom sparked a wave of persecution in Jerusalem, scattering the believers and catalyzing the spread of the Gospel (Acts 8:1–3).
The question is no longer hypothetical: Will we be ready when persecution arrives at our doorstep?
A Personal Word from the Holy Spirit
“You must be prepared.
Remember, I will be with you.
I will go before you and make your path straight.
You will not be alone.”
This is not a message of fear. It is a message of fire of refinement, readiness, and resolve. God’s remnant must learn now what it means to stand firm. To say, like the apostles, “We do not work for men. We work for God.”
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer… be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10 (KJV)
A Call to Examine Ourselves
If someone knocked on your door tomorrow and asked if you were a follower of Jesus Christ, what would your answer be?
Would you hide your Bible? Take down your Scripture wall art? Delete your digital witness?
Or would you stand?
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
Persecution reveals what comfort conceals. Now is the time to strengthen what remains.
The Gospel: Our Only Refuge in the Storm
We are all guilty of sin.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23 (KJV)
Sin brings judgment and death.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (KJV)
But God, in His mercy, sent Jesus to take our place.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (KJV)
And we are offered salvation through faith in Him.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Romans 10:9 (KJV)
Now is the day of salvation. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Now.
Final Thoughts
Persecution will separate wheat from chaff, sheep from goats, and followers from fans. Let us not be found sleeping, compromising, or lukewarm.
Instead, let us be like Peter, John, Stephen, and the early church empowered by the Spirit, unashamed of the Gospel, and ready to give our lives if necessary for the One who gave His for us.
Stay vigilant. Stay filled. Stay faithful.
And remember: He is with us until the very end.
“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
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