from Havok20x:
"We are ALWAYS hanging on this precipice. We are only one Supreme Court ruling or one executive order or one national disaster away from it. The question is not IF it will come to this, but when."

My brother, this is the scenario I sense with all my heart that will "kickstart" real persecution - a national disaster. I didn't feel led to join this conversation until you added this comment.
I have heard many over the years give their opinions about nuclear bombs going off in cities, but the impression on my heart is that God HIMSELF will bring devastating disasters upon this land; supernatural devastation that can't be blamed on man. We have biblical precedent for this in the destruction of 4 cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim (Deut 29:23).The city of Joplin, MO was torn apart by a tornado in May of 2011. The Lord started speaking to me about natural disasters in April of 2011. Those words are still in my spirit and have never left. I weep and tremble over this city that I live in - Atlanta, GA. I believe it is marked for destruction.
When these disasters take place, God will have men and women raised up to proclaim that these are judgements from God and the people need to repent for their sins. This destruction will cause death for millions. Life in America will never be the same. The land is defiled (Lev 18:25). The "Christian God" will be blamed and they will take out their fear and anger on us.
I do not share this lightly, and there are many details I have left out. If anyone is interested, or if the Lord has shared similar things with you, I will give you my email address. I have shed many tears and have been in deep travail over what is coming. I have prayed that the Lord will remember mercy in judgement, and that many souls will come to the Lord because of this. The harvest is ready, but the laborers are few.

I submit this in trembling, for your consideration.

Renee

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Renee

Bretheren I do not know which scenario that God will use to increase persecution in America. I say increase. Because we are experiencing some form of persecution. We are living in a society that's becoming increasingly hostile toward the things of Christ. Though some may dispute me. I believe the blood of the martyrs has already been shed on American soil. But can anybody argue that the society is becoming increasingly hostile toward believers.

God has warned us through prophetic men such as David Wilkerson. He is warning us now through prophetic men such as Paul Washer. All I can say is we would do well to heed their warnings.

I do not know how we can realistically prepare for persecution. But one thing that has been gripping me as I listen to the book of Acts. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Then I believe we can withstand any persecution that comes against us. We look at Stephen. He was filled with the Holy Spirit when he saw the Son of man standing at the right hand of the glory of God. I do not know if he felt the stones that were hitting him. But if he did it was only momentary pain. For he saw an eternal weight of glory that was waiting for him. Ultimately the Eternal One, Jesus himself.

My thoughts this Easter morning.

Blaine

Renee,
I don't disagree with you at all. Could be Yellowstone, San Andreas Fault, a Tsunami, West Coast Subduction Eathquake, or all of the above in the Lords timing. But I believe (either before or after it, it will also be the other things mentioned too - terrorist attacks, Supreme Court decisions, total economic collapse, war, "famine" meaning some type of food shortage, etc.). I believe what's coming will be comprehensive in time including potentially all these things, including natural disasters. But (just for clarity again for all those who might call this "fear-mongering") I am not walking around in fear. I believe in the midst of these historic judgements that more will turn to Christ than in the revivals of America's past (Jesus movement, great awakenings, etc.).

Amen, Brother Blaine.

Ritchie writes............

"I see many talking and I see few doing anything about preparing for the wrath to come, nor helping those that are suffering. As the Apostle says, Faith without works is dead"

I see the opposite where I live in the Bible belt. There is a church on every corner and good works abound but very little speaking of Jesus and the need for salvation, good works seeming to have replaced and asuaged the consciences of many.

James writes.......

"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[c] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[d] And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

I think it is very instructive that James uses two examples when he was speaking of the works that goes along with faith. It also instructs us how to live, especially in these days and the days to come. His first example is Abraham offering up his son. Now his son represented all of his dreams and ambitions and really everything that he had lived with, but Abraham would rather lose everything that he had to be obedient to God. I believe that soon enough every Christian will face the scenario of losing everything they have if they wish to be obedient to God.

His second example is Rahab. Interesting choice. Rhab put her life on the life for the sake of God's people. If she had been found out that she was in cohorts with the spies she and all of her family would have been killed, again, everything was on the line. The is the meat of what James is talking about. We have the majority in the Bible belt who would help an old lady across the road and who feed the homeless. They feel good about this and there is nothing wrong with this, but this is the analogy part of James story, this is the part that is perfectly obvious. But his examples of Abraham and Rahab go the very heart of what it means to have faith in God, a willingness to give up everything for the Lord and if we do not have that then " faith is dead," does not exist. This is the faith that the Lord will be looking for when He returns. It is this faith that overcomes the enemy. .........bro Frank

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Some promises to keep In mind as you see all the different things happening, today.

In Jesus Christ the only faith that matters is faith that worketh by love and the love of God casts out all fear. (See also 1 Cor 13, if I have not love I am nothing).

Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Someone said, "how are we preparing for the wrath of God?"
We are not appointed unto wrath

1 Thessalonians 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

The New Testament concept of "prophecy" is primarily that of proclamation rather than prediction; forth-telling rather than foretelling.

Hebrews 1:1-2
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

My brothers we must make a distinction between the wrath of God and persecution. The believer will not experience the wrath of God in that has been settled for us at the cross. The wrath of God was poured out upon Jesus Christ for our sins. And His righteousness has been given to us. John 3;31 says that the one who believes in Jesus has eternal life. But for the one who does not believe in Jesus. On him the wrath of God abides.

But Believers in Christ will experience persecution. For this has always been the history of the remnant Church. And persecution will certainly come upon the remnant church here in America.

True the enemy instigates persecution. But God always uses it for His purposes. Often to purify and perfect the bride He is calling for himself.

Simply my thoughts.

Brother Blaine

The coming persecution is far different than what is called the wrath of God. The NA church is a million miles from where it is suppose to be. Socially, politically, personally and spiritually it has been kicked into the corner and told to "Shut up", and it has. Our persecution will be self inflicted not righteous.

Marc mc

"Primarily" not exclusively.