Written April 8, 2020

Currently most of us, myself included, have said we are not under “religious” persecution.  From the natural view this is true. From a spiritual view it is probably false.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

I think most Apostolic ministers would agree that the governmental response in grabbing more power and control is demonically inspired. Regardless of how this pandemic started, naturally, accidentally released from a lab or intentional bio-weapon, it does not matter.  We are living with the results of the loss of life and liberty.

The government orders and mandates have not focused only on Christians. There are other Biblical examples that would be similar.

Esther 3:2  And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

The King had given a command for all to bow, not just the Jews. It later became persecution of a specific group.  Demonically controlled leaders do not care how many people will die in the process of their end goal. Satan wants to destroy every last one of the true worshippers.

Daniel 3:4  Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 

Daniel 3:5  That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: 

Again initially this was a universal command, not “religious” persecution of one group.

Dan 6:7  All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 

Dan 6:12  Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 

We have the benefit or reading the back room story of how the King was tricked into this decree. Regardless, the decree was for “whosoever” and “every man”. The “conspiracy” was they were after ONE man, Daniel.

Certainly our circumstance is different because the orders and mandates are for a “compelling state interest to protect health and safety.” It is a brilliant scenario if you want to unite the entire world into agreement. 

Ever since the collapse of some European economies years ago (Greece, etc.) I have said that the only way you can get a one world economic system is you have to collapse all the existing economies at once. Then you can present the new economy as the solution. Of course I didn’t understand how that could happen, but we now see how it will happen. A worldwide pandemic, whether it is this one or another will level all the economies and the obvious answer will emerge.

When that happens there will not be “religious” persecution either.

Revelation 13:16  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 

Revelation 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 

If the Beast system is fulfilled in the way most of us believe, with a real physical marker, once again it will not be a matter of “religious” persecution. The mark won’t be just for Christians. It will be for ALL. The unbelievers of this world care nothing about our book and beliefs. We will be a risk to humanity if we don’t comply and using the excuse “that’s against my religion” will not work. It never has.

Revelation 12:17  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

The dragon is after us and the entire world is caught in the crossfire.

Should we comply with not resisting and not gathering now? I am not so sure.