The persecution of the muzzle

[nebula]

I'm reading a very interesting book right now about The Day of the Lord*, and in there an interesting point is made. I've made mention of this in a couple of other threads, but no one has seemed to pick up on it. Thought I'd give it a try here.

In Revelation, there's a verse:

Revelation 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Why are these three things significant?

Well, first we overcome "by the blood of the Lamb." This is in direct regard to sin. When sin is in the body, the body falls apart. We see this individually and corporately. How many ministers and ministries have fallen due to sin? How many Christians' testimonies have become innefective due to sin in their lives? I believe we have seen enough examples in the public and private arenas for you to know that of which I speak.

So from this we can see how "the blood of the Lamb" is essential for overcoming, because it is the blood that cleanses us of our sin, and it is the blood we need to cling to in order to overcome these sins that plague our souls.

Skipping to the third point - overcoming by not loving our lives to the death. It is said that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." And it's true. When one person gives their life for Jesus to the death, two or more people come to Jesus to take their place. I believe enough of us here know the stories to affirm that of which I speak.

So we love not our lives to the death when the enemy through other people demand we chose to forsake Jesus or perish. And Jesus is glorified!

But what of the second, "the word of their testimony"?

From the book I'm reading:

One of the devil's most effective strategies has been to tell the Christians that they are free to continue being Christians as long as they keep quiet about it They can believe in the blood of the Lamb as long as they don't powerfully testify about the blood of the Lamb. They can continue holding their meetings just so long as they don't preach publically. The devil makes an agreement with the church. If the church leaves the devil alone and dowsn't boldly preach the gospel, the devil wil leave the church alone. The devil knows the pwer of fearless preaching. The devil knows that when men testify of what they believe and back up their testimony with their own blood, his kingdom begins to fall apart.

It truly got me thinking about the situation we face here in the Western world. Some people will say what we face isn't "real" persecution because we aren't asked to spill our blood. But if persecution be understood as the devil's attacks via people to silence our witness - then one can see it is persecution . . . the persectuion of the mind, will, and emotions.

We are derided as "homophobes".

We are forbidden in our jobs to wear or display religious paraphernalia. (I actually worked at such a place)

We are mocked.

We are considered bigotted.

You get the idea.

History has another interesting example of this. When Christian nations were conquored by Islam, the remaining Christians were allowed to remain Christians, but they had to pay tribute to the Islamic state and recognize the supremacy of Islam, they had little to no legal rights, they were forbidden from wearing symbols of their faith, they were forbidden from speaking against Islam, they had to suffer humiliation and ridicule as the Muslims called them derogatory names that the Christians had to embrace, many jobs were closed to them, etc.

The persecution of the muzzle.

No, our society hasn't gotten that far yet, but one can see how close it's getting.

How long before a Chrisitian cannot teach in a public school (unless said Christian never lets anyone know he/she is one)?

Sure, it's OK to be a Christian behind closed doors, but it's bad to be a Christian out in the public square.

We need to cling to the word of our testimony, just as Peter and John did:

15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, "What shall we do with these men ? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name." 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge ; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened ; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. 23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL 25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, 'WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS ? 26 'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.' 27 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4)

* The Day of the Lord, by Vaughn R. Martin. It's not available on-line yet.

[JCISGD]

I agree with you Nebula. Thats v interesting about the parrallels between the Muslem conditions and todays muzzling.

We can rebuke the Devil all night, but if he knows we will not witness to unbelievers or that we have secret sin in us or the church, then he just laughs and awaits a better time to pull the rug from under us.

[amor]

Don't worry. I shan't be puttting on a muzzle in the new year.

[sheya joie]

We put muzzles on dogs to prevent them from barking (and biting). Nebula is referring to Christians being metaphorically muzzled into silence by sociatal pressures not to talk about Jesus.

[Guest yod]

I see it just a little differently.

Not everyone is called to teach, but everyone who has been saved by the blood of the Lamb has a testimony.

We overcome the world by having a testimony and no one can take that away from you (even if you could be silenced)

"Forsake Jesus or perish" is persecution.

Anyone unable to withstand the relatively small amount of harrassment/humiliation/ridicule we get in America for His Name's sake is unworthy of being called "christian". The whining that American christians do over having our pride bruised is embarressing to me.

But not to worry...it won't be long before we find out what real persecution is at the rate we are going.

[Sir Gareth]

I agree very stronlgy with this and thank you for posting it.

I wsould like to add, if you don't mind;

Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Now we know from the message to the laodaceans that there is no middle ground wit Jesus, you either are or you aren't.

so if you are not actievly confessing him (not just through witnessesing and evangelism but through your life) your denying him.

Thank you again for the wonderful post and i shall be picking up that book.

[Bold Believer]

Why do you think I keep on pointing out things like the Humanist Manifesto 2? So long as your beliefs are kept to yourself, MAGOG DOESN'T CARE BECAUSE YOU ARE NO THREAT TO THEM.

Christians are too busy worrying about how to be nice. I GOT NEWS FOR YA KIDDIES...THIS IS WAR. WAR AIN'T NICE. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE TO FIGHT TO SHOW THE WAY OF THE LORD. If you adopt their terminology, if you adopt their way of thinking..THEY WIN.

Misguided 'love missiles' will not work. Sometimes you have to say "Hey that's horse hooey!" You have to stop compromising and not mollycoddle foolishness. Stand up. Slap that muzzle away. We've become the land of unwalled villages and they come seeking easy prey.

[nebula]

I'm not quite getting just what the, The Persecution of the Muzzle is. I understood your post but the persecution of the muzzle is a new one on me and I don't get anyways thanks.

Sheya explained it well. (Thanks Sheya)

We put muzzles on dogs to prevent them from barking (and biting). Nebula is referring to Christians being metaphorically muzzled into silence by sociatal pressures not to talk about Jesus.

[nebula]

Don't worry. I shan't be puttting on a muzzle in the new year.

I sure would love to hear you talking about Jesus and His death on the cross and resurrection for a change.

[nebula]

Not everyone is called to teach, but everyone who has been saved by the blood of the Lamb has a testimony.

I agree.

But the "muzzle" silences our testimony - in whatever form that may take - evangelism, preaching, singing, etc.)

We overcome the world by having a testimony and no one can take that away from you (even if you could be silenced)

But lights can be hidden under the bushel, correct? Why else would Yeshua have mentioned it?

The devil can use pressure, fear, humiliation, laws, rules, etc. to tempt us to hide our light under the bushel.

"Forsake Jesus or perish" is persecution.

Anyone unable to withstand the relatively small amount of harrassment/humiliation/ridicule we get in America for His Name's sake is unworthy of being called "christian". The whining that American christians do over having our pride bruised is embarressing to me.

Not everyone has the tough skin you've got. I know I don't.

And I know what it is to be the class laughing stock on account of my faith (my entire elementary and middle school years). I would have rather faced the threat of death - it's over and done with and you go to Heaven victorious - than the day in and day out ridicule, cut-down, degrading, etc. I went through.

After working a series of temp jobs (which is unsteady income), I finally got a full-time job at the temp job location I was at. After being hired, I decorated my desk with some personal items. Some of them had Scripture verses on them (one being a mug I was using to hold pens in). My boss told me no religious items were allowed. I felt like such a compromiser for taking those things home, but what could I do?

But not to worry...it won't be long before we find out what real persecution is at the rate we are going.

I'm sure - but what we have is a start. Back in the 80's we discussed religious persecution in school, and even the non-Christians couldn't imagine our nation jailing people and executing them for their religious faith. I would bet if this same conversation were held in high school today, the idea wouldn't be so shocking. Religion belongs behind closed doors. If you insist on displaying it in the public square, you should be punished!