Have you wondered about the increased persecution of Christians taking place around the globe? What’s with this urgent need to silence their voice? Even the mention of Jesus’ name can get you locked up or executed in many countries. In the United States, chaplains in our military are now being told not to pray in the name of Jesus. In our schools and other public forums, the name of Jesus is no longer welcome. What’s happening? What is it about Jesus that scares this world so?

          If you listen to Jesus’ message, it becomes abundantly clear who should be frightened by it, and why they’re trembling in their boots right now.

 The Good News of the Kingdom of God

           Jesus came to pay the price required to redeem mankind to the Father, to give His blood as the perfect sacrifice once and for all, so that ANYONE and EVERYONE who accepts His sacrifice as payment for their sins, and calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13).  But while he was here, he spoke of a Kingdom to come. He said his Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).

           Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God. He told his disciples, “I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God…for that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43) His followers are also sent to preach the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:2).  The message of Jesus is the announcement of a coming Kingdom that will replace the current kingdom on the earth.

           This current kingdom is quickly spiraling out of control. I think we all sense the urgency of our times. Jesus spoke of a time coming when, “…unless those days are shortened, no flesh would be saved…” (Matt 24:22). The good news is, Jesus is coming back to save us from self destruction! The Bible says in Zechariah 14 that when all nations gather around Jerusalem to fight against it, “Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations…On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem…Then the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with him…The Lord will be king over the whole earth.” 

           Yes, Jesus is returning! And on his robe will be the name “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19:16). When the Kingdom of God is set up, there will be great peace, healing, and prosperity for all. NO MORE WAR!  You’d think this would be great news to everyone, but….

 Not Good News for Everyone

            Not everyone considers the coming Kingdom of God to be good news. This world system is currently being ruled over by an invisible ruler. His name is Satan, the Devil, and he’s the archenemy of God and man. Paul said the struggle of the Christian is not against flesh and blood humans, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12). Satan, the god of this world, is the one behind the persecution of Christians. He’s blinded the minds of those which believe not (2 Cor. 4:4). And the devil hates the message of Jesus!

             Christians proclaim the same message Jesus proclaimed – the coming Kingdom of God! At Jesus’ return to the earth, Satan will be bound and thrown into the Abyss. Yes, Satan’s days of wrecking havoc over this planet are numbered and now drawing to a close. The devil is filled with fury because he knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12), and he’s making war against those who hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev 12:17).

             This is why we’re seeing an increase in the persecution of Christians. The good news of the coming Kingdom of God is not good news to the devil. He’s pulling out all the stops in his attempt to shut the mouth of Christians. But he will ultimately fail, because they will overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony (Rev. 12:11).

             Now is the time to lift up our eyes, because the Kingdom of God is coming! There will be no more pain, no more suffering. Every tear will be wiped from our eyes. The river of life will flow from the throne of God and the Lamb for the healing of the nations. There will be peace and prosperity for all.    Come soon Lord Jesus!

ToHimBeTheGlory!