Since the Founder started Christianity about 2 thousand years ago, His followers have often had to meet together in secret, to evade persecution from the worldly authorities. In many places, and across the centuries, this has been Standard Procedure for the followers of Jesus.
America held a brief respite from that norm, and it was a magnet for not only historical, biblical followers of Jesus, but any belief. There was no Official State Religion, but freedom of conscience was promoted, and America shone as a beacon of Freedom.
But we have entered a new phase in history. America, as a Standard Bearer for freedom, is over. Unscrupulous charlatans have wormed their way into power, and are whittling away at the base freedoms that Americans once took for granted. If the pattern of history continues, and it always does, we can expect a return to Christian persecution, as the societal norm, in this Brave New World that the progressives have created.
This is an alert.. a wake up call.. for American Christians to expect a return to the conditions that our Founder called us to, and told us to expect. I will not list the proof texts, where He said these things, assuming that true believers know them, already.
Likely scenarios:
- An Approved Version of Christianity will emerge, with uncomfortable and politically incorrect principles from the scriptures sanitized, so it fits within progressive ideology. This has actually been in place for a century or more.
- Biblical Christians will be demonized as 'Haters!', 'Racists!', Science Deniers!', or other euphemistic terms of endearment. (They already are)
- Big corporate mega churches will likely be the early targets, as well as the major denominations.. any with a worldly corporate structure will have to comply with the State edicts, to stay in business.
- Prominent Christian leaders will urge compliance, or disappear from the public discourse. Dissent will not be tolerated.
- The State Indoctrination of religious belief, with the uncomfortable passages from the gospel message sanitized, will reign supreme. Christianity will still be a second class belief, to the premier Declared Truth of Progressivism, and their psuedo science decrees of atheistic naturalism, but it will be there for nostalgic purposes.
- True Believers in historical, biblical Christianity will, once again, go underground, meeting in secret, in homes, or outside, to build and encourage themselves in these dark times.
- The Great Apostasy (falling away), foretold by the apostles, may be at hand, indicating a wrapping up of this age, and the imminent return of the Messiah.
- Faithful Endurance, and holding fast to the Head, is still the call for the followers of Jesus, regardless of persecution, mocking, or any pressure to deny the Christ.
It's not a Bad Thing. Christianity has historically flourished in such climates. This will winnow out the pretenders, and will strengthen the faith of the Believers. It may be difficult, for a while, but momentary, light affliction produces for us an eternal weight of glory.
..what to do..
- The fewer ties with corporate religion, the better.
- '2 or 3', gathered in His Name, is all you need.
- Know and study the scriptures, where the apostles and the Lord Himself instructs and warns of these things.
- Build and keep a vibrant, sincere faith, not dependent on ear tickling orators.
- Encourage and exhort your brethren.
Going underground has been the solution for survival among Christians for millennia. This will likely be the pathway for American Christians, as the freedoms they once knew disappear.