The Bible warns us that in the Last Days, perilous times would come. Christians are encouraged to STAND FIRM in the faith, even in perilous times. One thing that makes the last days so perilous is the people. The Bible gives a very detailed and sobering description of people in the last days. The most explicit “profile” of end-times human behavior is found in 2 Timothy, Chapter 3.
2 Timothy 3:3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.2 For people will be lovers of self,lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips,without self-control,brutal, haters of good,
4treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.
The Scriptures paint a unified portrait of the condition of humanity in the Last days…
Self‑centered and pleasure‑driven – People will prioritize self, money, pleasure, and pride over God.
Morally decaying – Wickedness increases, love decreases, and society becomes harsh, unforgiving, and brutal.
Outwardly religious but inwardly empty – Many maintain the appearance of godliness while denying its power.
A Reprobate Mind
According to Romans Chapter 1, people living in this condition are described as having a “reprobate mind”.
Romans 1:28: And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things that are not proper.
The Greek word for reprobate (adokimos) literally means “unapproved” or “failing to pass the test.” Ancient metalworkers used this term to describe metal that couldn’t withstand the refining process and had to be rejected as worthless for its intended purpose.
A “reprobate mind” is the result of repeatedly rejecting God, until a person becomes like rejected metal, no longer able to fulfill their God-given purpose. Completely cutting themselves off from the God who loves them, they chase idols (next high or pleasure) never truly satisfied or fulfilled. Like Cain who slew his brother out of jealousy, those with a reprobate mind often lash out at God’s Holy people.
Stand firm in the faith
Matthew 24:9:“Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name (JESUS).10 And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.
Christians are urged to remain steadfast in their faith.
In the Gospels, Jesus Christ Himself explained that in the Last Days Christian persecution would rise to unprecedented levels. He said because of the severe persecution, many (not a few, but MANY) would fall away from the Faith.
Lukewarm believers’ WEAK commitment to Christ will lead them to “walk away” from the faith because they are unwilling to pay the high cost which comes with following christ. (Luke 14:28-30)Some will even deceive and turn traitor to former friends, perhaps to escape persecution. Though they may once have seemed to love Christians, such people will act in hate.
How can we as Christ followers stand firm in our faith amidst growing persecution from both inside and outside of the Church? How can we live victoriously in perilous times?
Standing Firm Under Pressure
Christian persecution is ramping up in the last days, but it is nothing new. The early church was severely persecuted by both the Pagans AND the Jews and yet they were able to stand firm in their faith.
During the apostle Paul’s 2nd missionary Journey, the Holy Spirit🕊️gave Paul a vision of a man in Macedonia pleading for help. 🙏🏻This would be Paul’s first trip into Europe. God was expanding his tent pegs. Philippi and Thessalonica were two provinces in Macedonia (Northern Greece), and at the time of the Apostle Paul, part of the Roman Empire. On his 2nd missionary journey Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Philippi where he eventually planted the first European church.
When Paul first arrived in Philippi, it was a very pagan city with many shrines to the “god of wine” called Dionysius. The women of Philippi played a major role in pagan worship and typically held the “goddess” Diana as their favorite. There were very few Jews located in Philippi, and apparently no synagogue. As Christ followers, we understand that these pagan “gods” are demons and fallen angels. 😈 Sadly, “the pagan gods” seem to be making a resurgence in these last days…… Why is gender confusion exploding? – Life in a Dying World
Paul and Silas Experienced Severe Persecution
In the book of Acts, Chapters 16-17, the bible tells us about the severe persecution Paul and Silas endured in Macedonia. God sent them right into “the belly of the beast”to stand FIRM in the FAITH. While preaching the Gospel in Philippi, a slave woman with a spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas around the city chanting “These men are bondservants of the Most High God who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation”.
Paul grew very irritated at her continual chanting and commanded the spirit to come out of her. Her deliverance from demonic oppression would seem to be a wonderful thing, but her masters were not pleased. They had been using the spirit of divination to tell people’s fortunes for their own personal gain. When they saw that she was no longer able to make any money for them, they grew very angry.
In-fact, they were so angry that they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. The authorities accused Paul and Silas of being “Jews” who were “proclaiming customs that were not lawful for Roman citizens”.
They accused Paul and Silas of SEDITION!! Who else has recently accused others of SEDITION in the United States? (Donald Trump and his followers)This is what happens when people distort truth and when Satan’s rule 😈THREATENS others. There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
“Four Oath Keepers convicted of seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 attack”
WASHINGTON — A jury on Monday convicted four members of the Oath Keepers of seditious conspiracy in the second batch of guilty verdicts related to the “extremist group’s” efforts to block the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
It is our understanding that many people who attended the January 6th, 2020, protest in Washington DC have endured the harshest of conditionsin jail. Some claim to be “severely beaten and tortured.Some were thrown into solitary confinement.
The Roman authorities accused Paul and Silas of inciting “sedition” against Rome, and threw them into the deepest, darkest part of a Roman prison. These false accusations, cloaked in “partial and distorted truths”, whipped the angry crowd into a frenzy. With the magistrates’ approval and assistance, they tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and beat them with rods. After striking them with “many blows,” they threw them into the dungeon.
Paul and Silas, BLOODIED and BEATEN, chained to the hard, cold floor in the depths of a Roman prison. Stories of such prisons spoke of sheer brutality and terror—men left there to die. Whips tore their backs, captors ripped away their clothes, and agony racked their bodies as they shivered, hungry, and thirsty.
How did Paul and Silas respond? How would WE respond?
Paul and Silas did not complain, murmur or groan.They did not get angry with God for allowing this trial. Instead…they did the unthinkable. 😲 Paul and Silas STOOD FIRM in their FAITH.
Acts 16:25Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying🙏🏻 and singing hymns🎶 of praise to God🙌🏻, and the prisoners were listening to them;
Paul and Silas were PRAISING GOD in these most difficult of circumstances! How could this be? Their persecutors had beaten and bloodied them, left them cold, hungry, thirsty, tired, and sitting in the dark. They were INNOCENT and thrown in jail on “trumped up charges!” They had no idea how long they would be there or if they would EVER get out. And yet…they were SINGING HYMNS and PRAISING GOD? Yes!!! And the other PRISONERS were LISTENING to them!
Why were the other prisoners listening to Paul and Silas? Because through Christ Jesus we have HOPE!Biblical Hope is not wishful thinking — it is THOUGHTFUL KNOWING. In a dark and foreboding place, God’s LIGHT was SHINING BRIGHT. 💡 God’s light always shines brightest in the darkest of places!
“HERE PAUL AND SILAS ARE IN PRISON AND THEY STILL PRAISE THE LORD!
Faith Breaks Chains
As Paul and Silas praised the Lord Jesus Christ, the foundations of the jail began to shake, and the prison doors flew OPEN! This is what happens spiritually when we stand firm in our faith,no matter what we are facing!
Acts 16:25: Now about midnightPaul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
The jailer awoke, saw the prison doors standing open and realized the prisoners had likely escaped, so he prepared to kill himself. He understood that Rome would do far worse to him if the prisoners had escaped under his “watch”. 😱
But did Paul, Silas and the other prisoners take this opportunity to escape from their jail cell? 🤔 No! Paul shouted to the jailer…
Acts 16:28: But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”
What was the frightened jailer’s response?
Acts 16:29: And the jailer asked for lights 🕯️and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
The Bible tells us that the jailer took Paul and Silas to his own home, bandaged their wounds and gave them some food to eat. The jailer and his whole household believed the Gospel (Good News) ✝️ and were baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. (Note: Water baptism is not necessary for salvation. Water baptism is merely an outward symbol of what takes place inside of us when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior)
This was the beginning of the First Church in Europe. 💖What does this mean for us today in the 21st century? Will God always shake prison doors and set captives FREE when we stand FIRM in our FAITH? Spiritually – yes, definitely! Jesus Christ came to set the captive FREE. All who BELIEVE in Jesus Christ and make Him their LORD and SAVIOR are set FREE from enslavement to sin.
Jesus Christ still saves people and sets them free from anger and rage, from addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, or sex, from greed, gluttony, and from other sins that destroy their lives, marriages, and families.
Praising God in our darkest moments is one of the highest forms of worship. Praising Jesus in the fiery trial confuses the enemy. 😖 Satan’s “game” is to crush us until we “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). That is Satan’s 😈 plan and goal. He thinks we only praise when life is easy—and cannot fathom praise rising from pain, from suffering, from false accusation.
But when we Praise God simply because we KNOW that God (Father/Son/Holy Spirit) is WORTHY of our praise—no matter our circumstances—the dark kingdom is utterly shattered and confused.
We began this post wondering…HOW can we stand FIRM in our FAITH in the face of persecution?
Do not be afraid of those who can kill only the body. Fear (Revere) God who can throw both body and soul in hell/lake of fire. (Matthew 10:28)
Remember those who have gone before us and how they handled persecution and suffering. – Jesus, the Apostles, the prophets. (Hebrews 11)The Bible tells us that the apostles REJOICED at being found worthy to suffer for the Name of Jesus! (Acts 5:41)
Know that Jesus Christ suffered for us and is with us in our suffering! Jesus said He would “never leave or forsake us”. (Hebrews 13:5). When Paul and Silas were in that jail, they were NEVER ALONE! Holy Spirit 🕊️was there with them the whole time!
Trust and believe that God loves us and that His promises are TRUE. No matter what, God gives His people a future and a hope! Walk by faith not by sight. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Keep an eternal perspective. The bible says that this “momentary light affliction is not to be compared to the GLORY that is to be REVEALED in US! We suffer for a “moment”, but we will have an eternity of joy and glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
Praise God in the presence of our enemies! This confuses the enemy and can facilitate our release.
Pray 🙏🏻and stay together! Support one another! Paul and Silas faced the enemy together. Members of the Church were PRAYING FOR THEM! The Church needs UNITY in this hour of trial!
Believe our God is still a God of MIRACLES!
Christian persecution in the West
One hallmark of the Last Days is the global rise of Christian persecution. We live in an “antichrist world”. While some regions have long faced intense persecution, it is now increasingly visible in the West as well, appearing in places where it was once unknown and usually following the same pattern: the enemy seeks to silence and shut down opposing voices. He works through authorities, governments, and even religious systems—just as he used the Jewish leadership and profit-driven pagans to oppose believers in the days of Christ and the apostles.
Today, radical elements within religions and ideologies hostile to Christianity are severely persecuting Christians. These groups demonize Christians and incite others to attack them and burn churches.Nearly 100 churches have been burned or vandalized in Canada since 2021. Governments and media often enable this hostility. Bible-believing Christians face censorship, mockery, imprisonment, violence, and even death. Many will even be abandoned and betrayed by family and friends.
The Bible teaches that in the last days, because of persecution, many lukewarm Christians will fall away from the faith.Let that not be us—may we be found standing firm in our faith ✝️, rock-solid 🪨, because Jesus Christ is coming soon! 🎺👑
Prison doors may literally shake open! MANY prisoners may be set free when they HEAR us PRAISING GOD in the midst of suffering and pain! We may even SEE the jailers and those who persecute us come to the FAITH!
Prophetic Dream
Holy Spirit brought a dream to mind that I had a few years ago on January 3rd, 2014. 🕊️ Please pray for discernment. The book of Joel tells us that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and grant dreams and visions to His people.
In the dream, I was sitting in a seaside restaurant that seemed to be built on a pier. The walls of the restaurant were made of glass, so we could sit and eat while looking out at the ocean. People had gathered there and were enjoying themselves. Then, suddenly, I looked through the glass wall and saw a gigantic wave racing towards us.
My attention was drawn to a plaque on the wall that read “JANUARY 6“—no year was given. Nobody else seemed to notice the massive wave.
The wave struck the restaurant so hard that it nearly shook the building off its foundation. In that instant, people’s behavior changed; panic took over, and they began screaming. Though violently shaken, the restaurant remained standing.
I looked again just as a SECOND WAVE slammed into the restaurant.
This wave struck with such terrifying force that the entire building tore free from its foundation, shattered, and was hurled into the sea. The moment it hit, I threw myself into the water. Somehow, I escaped the exploding glass and the total destruction of the restaurant. — Perhaps this is a glimpse, a haunting picture, of the Rapture?
When January 6th, 2014, came, I scoured the news to see what I could find. I did find this…
The massive wave that hit the U.K. on January 6, 2014, may have been a foreshadowing, but it was not the main event. Did the “wave” that struck the U.K. on January 6th symbolize what would later occur in the United States on January 6th, 2020? Is a second, larger ‘wave’ yet to come, one that will knock the US off her foundation and into the sea?
January 6th, 2020
In the dream, the “restaurant” collapsed into the sea
In the dream, a second wave destroyed the restaurant, and it collapsed into the sea. What could this mean? In biblical literature, the sea frequently symbolizes chaos and disorder. In the creation narrative, the sea is depicted as a primordial abyss. The sea also represents divine power and judgment.
In prophetic literature, the sea often symbolizes nations and peoples in turmoil, subject to God’s judgment. For example, Isaiah 17:12–13 describes the nations as “roaring like the roaring of mighty waters,”yet God rebukes them and they flee.
Jesus Christ is Our Only Savior
This may sound unsettling at first, but if we see this prophetic dream as a “Paul and Silas” moment, then perhaps these massive “waves” will not only drag the restaurant down into the sea, but also blast open the prison doors and release countless captives, as people finally see that no man and no government can SAVE them—only Jesus Christ can save! ✝️🙏🏻
I RAISE A HALLELUJAH; I WILL WATCH THE DARKNESS FLEE! 🙌🏻
“I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief“ I’m gonna sing in the middle of the storm, louder and louder you’re ‘gonna hear my praises ROAR!
FAQ:
Question: How bad will Christian persecution get?
Answer: The Bible indicates that many Christians will literally be killed for their faith in the Last Days. This is already happening in Nigeria, Iran and North Korea. Similarly, Chinese Christians have an Underground Church and many have been thrown into prison. Still, they are standing firm in their faith and are a wonderful testimony to the rest of us.
Question: Why does the Bible say the love of many will wax cold?
Answer: Lawlessness causes this heart condition. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. When people do not fear or revere Jesus Christ or God’s commandments, lawlessness ensues and love grows cold. God is love.
