by Bill Rudge
“The kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him.” Revelation 19:19
There is a deliberate and intensifying war against the Christ of Scripture. Why? Who is motivating it? What are they doing? Where is it leading? Two U.S. based religious freedom groups inform us that anti-Christian persecution is on the rise in America and the attacks are dramatically proliferating. Atheists, agnostics and “skeptics” seek to silence Christian expression. Scriptural values are considered repressive, biblical truth divisive and evangelism is labeled a hate crime.
Why such hostility toward the name of Jesus? Scripture foretells that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10, 11). Those who do not want this to become a reality are inspired to do everything possible to stop it. Revelation 12:17 foretells a generation such as ours where Satan will be so enraged against God that he will make intense war on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 19:19 tells us that the Antichrist and the kings of the earth and their armies will gather at Armageddon for the express purpose of making war against Jesus Christ when He returns to establish His Kingdom. Zondervan Bible Commentary states that these “kings of the earth” are allied with the Antichrist and embody the fullness of Satan’s attack against Jesus Christ in the great final showdown. But their efforts will prove futile as Jesus will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14).
In light of this intensifying war on Jesus Christ and growing hostility toward believers in His name, should we quit witnessing and stop doing evangelism? No way! We must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). Many awesome things are happening through this ministry, and other ministries, as we pierce the darkness with the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Never before have we had such unique opportunities to share the Gospel with so many confused, disillusioned and fearful people. We ask you to earnestly pray we will continue to boldly, accurately and powerfully proclaim the Good News to this generation.
The time is at hand when Christians virtually have to stand for their faith and convictions or forsake them. Those who refuse to take a bold, uncompromising stand for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ will deny Him. Every professing Christian must choose whether he or she will be a Cultural Christian – beliefs and lifestyle determined by contemporary society, or a Biblical Christian – beliefs and lifestyle based on Scripture. There is an eternity of difference – so choose wisely.
It will become increasingly unpopular and potentially dangerous to be a witness for Jesus Christ. The compromisers, lukewarm and cowardly (Revelation 3:16; 21:8) – out of fear for their lives or loss of property and prestige – will either refuse God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ (even though they are convinced of its truth) or they will deny Him in times of persecution. Those who conform and compromise for the sake of convenience instead of depending on God to give them the courage and strength to stand and make their lives count will be no better off (unless they truly repent) than the murderers and the sorcerers (Revelation 21:8).
It has been said that a strong person stands up for himself; a stronger person stands up for others. But I say the strongest of all stands up for his testimony of Jesus Christ. As believers we must unashamedly proclaim the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
May our hearts cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus. No longer let Your name be profaned. No longer allow Your truth to be perverted. May Your name be exalted in all nations and Your will done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
May you have a blessed Christmas and let your light shine brightly. That is what Christmas is all about – the birth of a Savior for a lost and dying world.
Bill Rudge Ministries 