PERSECUTED BUT BLESSED

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PERSECUTED BUT BLESSED  By Shane W Roessiger

I don’t think that many people in the church really know that persecution is real. We are so worldly that we think that things we go through are just because people don’t like us. But there is a persecution that comes because of righteousness, because of Jesus Christ. But the carnal man can't see the spirit. You must see with discernment.

Blessed are you when you are persecuted because there is the kingdom of heaven. If you are not being persecuted, you are not in the kingdom. If you are part of Babylon, you will not be persecuted. But when you are in Him, you will be persecuted. So persecution is a sign of being in Him.

The carnal church is in big trouble. They are the ones persecuting the ones who walk in righteousness. We have a lot of people with a title, but by their fruit, you don’t know them. When people talk evil about you, you are blessed. We think we are doing something wrong, but actually, we are doing something right. If you are right with God, it does not matter what lies they say and what opinion man has. Look at the source.

Paul was one of the most persecuted men back then. He was the persecutor that became persecuted for His righteousness sake. A true sign of a conversion right there. A carnal church will not understand the things of the kingdom because they need to be born again. A family will become your own foe. Many in the church have become our own foes. Why are they not being transformed? They have been conforming to the World's ways. Paul was the head persecutor who became the most persecuted believer.

When they revile you and accuse you, the Word tells us to rejoice because they have done the same with GOD’S people before us. The devil wants us to believe that we are doing something wrong. But that is not true. People with demons around us will be used by him. The carnal church thinks like that, too.

Some of us might be of the World. That is why people can’t understand us sometimes because they have a worldly mind. We are living in the World but we don’t bow to it. There are people who don’t know you because they don’t know Him. Have you ever thought that you may not know Him? They have been going to what people call "church" but they don't even know Him. The Bible says, "They don't know Him." Wow. God said they are among us but they are not of us. If they were of us, they would continue with us. Wow, so deep!

By wisdom, a house is built. By discernment, a house is established. A church established is a church full of discernment, a people of the Spirit only. Even the elect might be deceived if the time was not shortened. Four years is enough time for the laws of this country to be changed (that’s like one election cycle), and we won’t even be able to be Christians anymore. Legally, in one day, we could be a criminal just for believing in Jesus Christ, just for standing for the Truth.

Are you ready for persecution? You think you are but you are not. None of us are in this nation. But we need to be and will be, in HIM that is.

If we are a new creation, if someone comes to Jesus Christ and becomes new and the system in the World ignores these changes, this is persecution. People are losing their job promotions because of the religious values they carry within. This is persecution. Family won’t invite you for events anymore. This is persecution. Liberals say, “We need to accept everybody,” but they don’t accept us because of our beliefs. That is hypocrisy. This is getting worse and worse. Double standards. It is time to come out from among them or you will be just like them.

People hate you because they hated Him first. Because we follow God, we love our enemies. They will hate that, too. Since the law of the land is not changed, we still have time. But once the law changes and is against us, time will run out fast.

If you don’t love your brother and hate them, you are already a murderer. In a way, you are already persecuting your brother without knowing it. If you lust with your eyes after someone, you have already committed adultery in your heart according to Jesus and new covenant believers. The only thing that is holding back full persecution is the level of the Bible that you live by and the law of the land.

The worse persecution now in America and around the World comes from “Christians” with a false revelation of love. But we are not supposed to look like false Christ, but Christ.

Can we be led by the Holy Spirit and let Him deal with our persecutors? Can we let God be God and let Him bring justice when we are persecuted?

Some people say, “Hey, he is Christian.” But I say, “I don’t know yet if he is or not.” I do not ever go by titles anymore. I go by discernment.

Some people say, “I am not ready to forgive.” But I say, “You are not ready to follow Jesus then.” You don't know Him. Who is my brother? Those who follow His Word. Period.

Some people say, “That is not Christ.” But I say, “It is because you have your own Christ.”

I am writing unto you because the Word of God abides in you, that means the Word was made flesh in you. If you have been to the church, one, two, or three years, you should be mature by now. The early church allowed the Holy Spirit to teach the Word of God, and not by their own minds and knowledge, not philosophy steps, or programs and techniques without the power of the cross.

When you love God, you will be persecuted. But when you love the World, you won’t. People would love to throw us in a cage and set us on fire, but the law is still stopping them. If you don’t hear Him and do something opposite, that is just a mistake. But if you hear Him and do the opposite, that is rebellion. You are not of Him.

The persecutors came out from us but they were not of us. Because if they were, they would continue with us. They are not of us!

We have an unction from the Holy One and we know all things. We must seek God for direction. What kind of Father would lead us to the pit when we seek for direction? If you end up in the pit, it is because you were seeking your own desires, your own way.

Gifts and fruits are needed to be prepared for this end-time persecution. That is why the carnal church wants to kick out the Holy Spirit.

Paul was told by Agabus that he would be bound when he went to Jerusalem. That warning was to prepare him, not to persuade him not to go. The gifts are in the church to prepare us. Not to keep us safe but to prepare us for what is to come. All the people around Paul knew what was going to happen. All of them tried to get Paul out of God's will. This is what the carnal church does today. But Paul obeyed God.

How many people around us encourage you to avoid persecution? I want people around me that will encourage me to go where God is telling me to go not where it’s safe, even if there is persecution. Jesus Christ was led to persecution all the way to the cross. Why did God tell the prophet what was about to happen to Paul? Because God wanted Paul to be prepared for persecution. That is why we need the gifts preparing us for what is ahead. Now Jesus Christ, the greatest prophet of all time, tells us all what we are going through because of His own sake and Gospel. Just like Agabus told Paul.

Paul says, “I am ready to be bound.” Are you ready? You say, “Yes.” God says, “No, you are not.” That is why God is bringing this message. People are running from it. Let’s ask for His will to be done no matter what.

Man will deliver you up to the court system or the religion system. Take no thought. Brother will betray brother to death. You will be hated for His sake. But only those who endure to the end shall be saved.

Christians will be persecuted by everybody. Are you ready? Be ready. He is talking to us to wake us up! Scream: “Wake me up, Lord.” I am not where I am supposed to be. Nobody is. I don’t know one person.

Are you ready for persecution?

Every message God speaks through us is unique and made especially for us. Take heed. Don’t listen to it lightly.

God is awakening His church. He does not want to find her sleeping. Prophets are speaking and giving them direction. Prideful people always think the message is for someone else. No. It is for you. We must be in His will. His grace is sufficient for us. The power of God rests upon the weak ones.

How many take pleasure in persecution and distress for Christ’s sake? We need tenacity. Boldness. We need to endure unto the end, the end of the World. Who shall separate me from the love of Christ? Your own tribulation? Endure it. In all these things, we are more than conquerors.

They called you “bad” because of the persecution, but God calls you “blessed.”

Are you ready to be persecuted but blessed?

Word: Matthew 5:1-14, John 15:19-21, 1 John 2:1-20, Acts 21:7-14, Mark 13, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Romans 8:35-39

FULL MESSAGE!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oJ65X9f42k