You are almost close!

In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize that he is near — at the door. Matthew 24:33.

The world is in utmost confusion, Christians are the focus everywhere. All religions, governments and political parties want to eliminate Christians from the face of the earth. Let's see some statistics that bring home this truth both internationally and nationally:

According to world watch list 11 persons are killed daily for their faith. If you follow the world news 215 million Christians faced persecution in 2018, and it was estimated that 245 million will suffer in 2019, according to Open Doors — a 14% increase, that represents 30 million more people abused for their faith. This means that "1 in 9 Christians experience high levels of persecution worldwide" (world watch list 2019)

Accordingly to Wikipedia, In August 2017, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) ranked India’s persecution severity at “Tier 2” along with Iraq and Afghanistan.

Over the past seven years, India has risen from No. 31 to No. 10 on Open Doors' World Watch List, ranking just behind Iran in persecution severity. As of 2019, USCIRF repeatedly placed India as Tier-2 in minority persecution. India estimated Christians, 65,061,000 and it is in the 10th place of Persecution severity.

Coming to our nation, India; Persecution Relief has recorded 330 incidents of hate crime against Christians in 2016, 440 incidents in 2017, 477 incidents in 2018 and till September 2019 they have recorded 349 incidents of Christian Persecution against Christians in India.

What does it all converge to, nothing but a sober reminder His coming is almost close. If you notice Jesus while training his disciples and sending the disciples to share the gospel and about the kingdom of God, He was almost preparing them for intense persecution and warned them not to give up, because of what they are going to face. Observe Jesus' saying,  "Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul;  rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.". Matthew 10:28 CSB. You and I may try fighting against persecution by every means, but honestly you cannot do away with persecution.

Let me remind you once again on some basic facts: watch out to hold on to your faith till the end for Jesus said, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved.". Matthew 10:22 CSB

Life is going to be extremely difficult Matthew 24:21; 10:22, John 16:33 & I die daily 1 Cor 15:31.

Love of many will grow cold, as a result, hypocrisy and superficiality will be rampant. Matthew 24:12 & 1 Timothy 4:1-3

Even the elect and spiritual giants will fall prey to deception Matthew 24:24

You will cease to exist in this earth one day, for sure. Hebrew 9:27.

Only if you are prepared will hear the sound of the trumpet and be gathered to meet him ( in rapture) Matthew 24:31.

You will be surprised either being taken up or left behind. Matthew 7:21-23 & Luke 17:35

The coming of the Lord is very very near. Matthew 24:33, James 5:8 & Revelation 3:11.

But do you have a hope in what you go through? Definitely yes! Because we will be soon reaching a place where neither tears nor any pain exists (Revelation 21:4). And most importantly we will reign with Him for ever and ever (Revelation 22:5).

May the Lord help us to stay watchful and stay blameless. You have a mission;  fulfilling the great commission.

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