Christian Persecution in America | can it really happen?

We live in a day of great intimidation towards Christians and Christian churches, worldwide, but also in America.

You may have thought Christian persecution in America wasn't possible, but...

In America, great emphasis is put on bending to societal norms or Political Correctness instead of adhering to the word of God.

Signs of persecution in America are all around us.

Censorship and shadow banning against conservatives and Christians is quickly being implemented by Facebook, Google, Twitter and others. This is the beginning of the opposition to Christians and ultimately Christ that we are facing in America.

Intimidation from the left abounds with groups like Antifa threatening physical harm and the media always biased against conservatives and Christians.

Movies, music and books try to push hedonism, witchcraft and satanism as being the new accepted norms to warp our children against God.

Christian pastors are pressured to only cover certain politically correct subjects from the pulpit at risk of losing their tax exempt status.

You may have heard recently in the news about how the IRS was biased against Christian and conservative organizations, denying their tax exempt status applications.

So, how do we deal with a rising tide of intimidation against Christians in the United States or worldwide persecution?

Let's examine the book of Daniel and see what God's faithful servant did in the face of intimidation and persecution...

In The Face Of Intimidation
The enemy is an impostor. He roams about as like a roaring lion (that's intimidation) seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) He is not a lion, but an impostor. There is only one true lion and that is The Lion of Judah, Jesus.

Daniel, God's servant, was faced with intimidation by scheming evil men, but he did not react to them, instead he prayed to God to watch over him and deliver him.

Daniel 6:1-10

1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.altereth not:

9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Daniel had an excellent spirit towards God and man and God's favor was upon him and he was being promoted by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Daniel is facing opposition because of his devotion to God. The devil sends the evil men to attack Daniel and scheme against him.

So they came up with a decree and convinced Darius the king to sign it saying that no one could pray to anyone except the king.

Nowadays, this Democrat screams something and that Republican has a quick retort. Arguing and bickering constantly but never coming up with real solutions that are fair to all the people.

But Daniel in the face of intimidation went and prayed to God.

He didn't argue with the schemers or, as we'll see next, he didn't accuse his accusers before the king.

He prayed.

Daniel In The Lion's Den
Daniel 6:11-18

11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

And what do you think happens next to this servant of God, Daniel who served God with his whole heart and had a daily prayer life?

Surely the lions ate him up, but wait, God sends His angels to protect Daniel from the lions and king Darius throws the evil schemers into the lion's den and THEY are eaten alive, instead...

A Pagan Kings Decree
Daniel 6:19-28

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.power: Chaldee, hand

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

This is a pagan king making a decree that in his dominion the people will revere the one true living God, the God of Daniel His servant.

Do you see how only God can take a seemingly hopeless situation and turn it around for good?

More Scripture to Consider
Proverbs 29:27

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

The wicked will never accept the righteous just as the righteous will not accept the wicked and so we have conflict and quarreling in our fallen world.

Isaiah 5:20

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

A warning to America, specifically WOE to those who call evil good and good evil.

You see it all the time when movies, music and books try to push hedonism, witchcraft and satanism as being the new accepted norms.

You can't even shop for a bottle of wine without having to peruse hedonistic and satanic looking labels.

Proverbs 16:32

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Don't fight on the enemies terms. He wants to get you to fight his fight. Somebody is nasty to you and your nasty right back.

Stop! Go home like Daniel and pray.

Ephesians 6:12-13

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The battle is spiritual. Learn to use your spiritual weapons like prayer. Look to God for the answers when you feel attacked like Daniel.

Make prayer a custom
Prayer must be accompanied by thanksgiving
Daniels enemies knew where to find him in a crisis - praying 3 times a day.

The world can be falling down around you and if you are steadfast in your faith and prayer you have no real worries.

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Daniel was condemned to a certain death, but he had faith in the power of God, live or die. Daniel didn't know that God would deliver him from the lions, but he trusted God no matter his fate.

Zechariah 4:6-7

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

God will speak to the mountains that stand before His servants and make them a plain by the power of His Spirit shouting Grace, Grace. How great is that?

What impostor lions or mountains are trying to intimidate you? Consider Isaiah...

Isaiah 41:10-13

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Satan's plan always works for God's purpose.

Trust in Jesus and secure your eternal future no matter what adversities you may face.

Jesus faced intimidators and eventually they put Him on the cross, but this wasn't the end! God decreed that the Lord would secure everlasting life for those who believe on Him and so He was resurrected on the third day. The Victory of all Victories!

Stand Firm in Your Faith
When the evil schemers conned king Darius into outlawing prayer to God, Daniel prayed anyway.

It was the liberty of the Gospel that originated America, that made it great.

It was liberty of the Gospel that ended slavery and brought around civil rights in America.

Not Mohamed, not Buddha, but the liberating love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Stand firm in your faith, look to God for your answers with daily prayer, seek justice and peace with graciousness.

One important way you can fight the enemy in his schemes against America is to be mindful of what movies, music and books your family encounters.

Seek out Christian and family oriented material to give as gifts to children, family and friends.

Be an example to your children of faith, prayer and love of God as Daniel is an example to us.

If outright Christian persecution in America ever does happen, look to the God of miracles who turns bad situations into good on the turn of a dime all the time.

If you have any questions or comments leave them below and I will be sure to reply as soon as possible.

Do you have any stories of how God turned your life around that you would like to share some about?

God Bless You

The Grim Reaper Preacher says, "Try reading the
Bible from cover to cover - you'll like it."

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