Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Jesus Birthday in the Scriptures Foretold: Merry Christmas

 

Jesus Birthday in the Scriptures Foretold: Merry Christmas

Jesus Christ is the Foundation Stone of the Holy Temple Set and Born on the 24th of the ninth Hebrew month Chisleu or Kislev. In 2024 Jesus birthday is the evening of December 24th on Christmas Eve and truly is Christmas this year as the Hebrew day change begins at sundown. This happens about once every 35 years. The Hebrew calendar isbased more on the actual lunar cycles of the moon from which the word month is derived from. Later in this document the Hebrew calendar is explained more fully but the focus of this writing is Foundation Stone of the Spiritual Holy Temple named Jesus Christ born and laid in a manger in Bethlehem, the city of David.

Three times does the prophet Haggai speak of the 24th day of the ninth month Kislev concerning the foundation stone of the Holy Temple made without hands. When the Lord God speaks something three times in the prophecy of Haggai, it must be remembered and revered for good reason.

Hag 2:10  In the twenty-fourth of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the Word of Jehovah came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 

Hag 2:15  And now, I ask you, set your heart on it; from this day and onward, before the placing of a stone on a stone in the temple of Jehovah

Set your heart on the foundation stone of Jesus Christ.

Hag 2:18  Now set your heart from this day and forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that Jehovah's temple was founded. Set your heart: 

Haggai was not telling them to set their heart on the created temple made with hands but the spiritual temple of Jesus Christ, Messiah and savior of the world.

Twice does Zechariah the prophet write that the Branch, Jesus Christ would build the temple of God.

Zec 6:12  And speak to him, saying, So speaks Jehovah of Hosts, saying, Behold the Man whose name is The BRANCH! And He shall spring up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of Jehovah. 

Zec 6:13  Even He shall build the temple of Jehovah; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne. And He shall be a priest on His throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. 

The laying of the Foundation of the Spiritual Temple of the body of Jesus Christ is written in the book of Luke.

Luk 2:1  About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books. 

Luk 2:2  These first records were made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 

Luk 2:3  Everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed. 

Luk 2:4  So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David's hometown, and Joseph went there because he was from David's family.

Luk 2:5  And he took Mary his betrothed wife, being with child. 

Luk 2:6  And while they were there, the days for her deliverance were fulfilled. 

The literal interpretation of the Greek word tikto is to bear fruit from seed which is common Biblical terminology used by Jesus Christ and the prophets when speaking of Christians and God’s people.

Luk 2:6  And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should bring forth fruit G5088

G5088   τίκτω  tiktō 

Thayer Definition:  1) to bring forth, bear, produce (fruit from the seed)

1a) of a woman giving birth  1b) of the earth bringing forth its fruits  1c) metaphorically to bear, bring forth

Zechariah prophesied that the day the house of God is founded that the fruit would bless Judah and Israel, meaning that the Messiah Jesus, the foundation stone of the temple would be born and laid in Bethlehem, the house of bread, giving fruit, grain or food from seed to all who call upon his name.

Zec 8:9  So says Jehovah of Hosts: Let your hands be strong, you who hear in these days these Words by the mouth of the prophets, that in the day the house of Jehovah of Hosts is founded, the temple is to be built. 

Zec 8:12  For the seed shall be blessed; the vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 

Zec 8:13  And it will be, as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, but let your hands be strong. 

The Foundation Stone of the Spiritual Temple of Christianity is laid and the footing set just below Jerusalem in the town of Bethlehem.

Luk 2:7  And she brought forth her son, the First-born, and wrapped Him, and laid Him in a manger— because there was no room for them in the inn.

There was no room for the Foundation Stone of the Temple and Son of God for the religious leaders of Jerusalem, just as their was no room for him in the inn at Bethlehem, also known as Zion, the city where David dwelt.

1Pe 2:6  Therefore also it is contained in the Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner Stone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him shall never be ashamed." 

1Pe 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner

1Pe 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 

Luk 2:8  And in the same country there were shepherds living in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

Shepherds watching over their flocks in December is documented.

DECEMBER.

Weather. — This is the first winter month; the cold is piercing, and sometimes fatal to those not inured to the climate. Yet rain is more common than snow. which, when it falls, very quickly thaws (Korte, p.555; Mariti. 2:187). The winds, as in the last month, usually blow from the east or north. They are seldom violent. The mercury stands at 46°, and is subject to very slight alterations (Russel, p. 115, 156). Productions. — Corn and pulse are sown during this month, as at the end of October. Sugar-canes now ripenened and cut down at Cyprus (Cotovicus, Itiner. Hi’PoP. p. 117). The grass and herbs are again springing out of the ground after the rains, and the Arabs now drive their flocks down from the mountains into the plains (Rauwolf, 1:118). SEE AGRICULTURE. (Cyclopedia)

The birth of the Only Begotten Son of God foretold in the first book of the Psalms, chapters 1 and 2.

Psa 1:1  BOOK I   Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. 

Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. 

Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. 

The winter or rainy season in Israel is actually described by the Hebrew word which may indicate autumn and winter when the leaves have fallen from the seasonal trees and the crops have all been gathered. The tree of Jesus Christ is always evergreen and brings forth fruit as prophesied by Zechariah and occurred in the book of Luke.

H2779   חֹרֶף

chôreph   kho'-ref

From H2778; properly the crop gathered, that is, (by implication) the autumn (and winter) season; figuratively ripeness of age: - cold, winter ([-house]), youth.

Luk 2:9  And lo, the angel of the Lord came on them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. And they were grievously afraid. 

Luk 2:10  And the angel said to them, Do not fear. For behold, I give to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

Luk 2:11  for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 

The city of David is also known as Zion and Bethlehem. In this scripture of Psalm which declares the birth of the only begotten son of God who is Jesus Christ interpreted Messiah in Hebrew.

Psa 2:6  Yea, I have set My king on My holy hill, on Zion

Psa 2:7  I will declare the decree of Jehovah. He has said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. 

David lived in Bethlehem which is a small distance south or below Jerusalem metaphorically just as a foundation or footing of a building is just below the ground.

Isa 28:16  therefore so says the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I lay in Zion a Stone for a foundation, a tried Stone, a precious Cornerstone, a sure Foundation; he who believes shall not hurry. 

Luk 2:12  And this is a sign to you. You will find the babe wrapped, lying G2749 in a manger

G2749   κεῖμαι

Keimai   ki'-mahee

Middle voice of a primary verb; to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively): - be (appointed, laid up, made, set), lay, lie. Compare G5087.

G2749   κεῖμαι

Keimai   Thayer Definition:

1) to lie   1a) of an infant   1b) of one buried

1d1) of vessels, of a throne, of the site of a city, of grain and other things laid up together, of a foundation

1Co 3:11  For any other foundation can no one lay than the one being laid, who is Jesus Christ. 

Ezr 5:16  Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. And since that time even until now it has been building, but is not finished. 

Sheshbazzar. (worshipper of fire). The Chaldaic or Persian nam, e given to Zerubbabel.

Zerubbabel is in both genealogies of Jesus Christ parents, Joseph being  father by l G2749 aw, as they laid Jesus the Foundation Stone of the Spiritual Temple in a manger at Bethlehem.

Mat 1:13  And Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, and Abiud fathered Eliakim, an

Luk 3:27  the son of Joanna, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, d Eliakim fathered Azor. 

Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you shall know that Jehovah of Hosts has sent me to you. 

Luk 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 

Luk 2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

The book of Ezrah also documents the laying of the foundation of the second temple in Israel and prophesied of the praising God for the laid foundation stone of Jesus Christ for the Spiritual Temple.

Ezr 3:10  And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 

The latter house below in Hag 2:9 is in reference to the Spiritual Temple of God in Jesus Christ which shall be greater than the first temple built in Jerusalem. The second earthly temple was modest in comparison to the first as evidenced in the scriptures below.

Spiritual Temple

Hag 2:9  The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former, says Jehovah of Hosts. And in this place I will give peace, says Jehovah of Hosts. 

Physical Temple

Ezr 3:12  But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, ancient men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. And many shouted aloud for joy. 

Hag 2:3  Who is left among you who saw this house in her first glory? And how do you see it now? When compared to it, is it not as nothing in your eyes? 

It is obvious that Haggai is not prophesying about the second temple made with hands built in Jerusalem over which some wept for its modesty in comparison to the first  but that the latter house was a spiritual temple in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Isa 9:6  For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace

Isa 9:7  There is no end of the increase of His government and peace on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on, even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will do this. 

Luk 2:15  And it happened as the angels departed from them into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Indeed, let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has happened, which the Lord made known to us. 

Luk 2:16  And hurrying they came and sought out both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger

Luk 2:17  And seeing, they publicly told about the word spoken to them concerning this Child. 

Luk 2:18  And all those who heard marveled about the things spoken to them by the shepherds. 

Luk 2:19  But Mary kept all these sayings, meditating in her heart. 

Luk 2:20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as was spoken to them. 

The foreshadow of praising God for the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Spiritual Temple who is Jesus Christ Messiah.

Ezr 3:11  And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endures for ever toward Israel.And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 

Jesus Birthday on the Hebrew Calendar

The ninth month in the Hebrew Biblical calendar usually parallels approximately the middle of November to the middle of December in the Gregorian calendar.

The years of the Israelites, like those of the modern Jews, were lunar (Rabbinical שְׁנֵי הִלַּבֵנָה), of 354 d. 8 h. 48 min. 38 sec., consisting of twelve (unequal) lunar months; and as this falls short of the true year (an astronomical month having 29 d. 12 h. 44 min. 2.84 sec.), they were obliged, in order to preserve the regularity of harvest and vintage (Exo_23:16), to add a month occasionally, so as to make it on the average coincide with the solar year (Rabbinical שְנִת הִחִמָּה), which has 365 d. 5 h. 48 min. 45 sec. Among the later Jews (who called an intercalated year שנה מעיברת, in distinction from a common year, or שנה משוטה), an intercalary month was inserted after Adar, and was hence called Vedar (ואדרCyclopedia

The commencement of the month was generally decided by observation of the new moon. The usual number of months in a year was twelve, as implied in 1Ki_4:7; 1Ch_27:1-15 , but since twelve lunar months would make, but 354 1/2 days, the years would be short twelve days of the true year, and therefore, it follows as a matter of course that an additional month must have been inserted about every third year, which would bring the number up to thirteen. No notice, however, is taken of this month in the Bible.

In the modern Jewish calendar, the intercalary month is introduced seven times in every nineteen years. The usual method of designating the months was by their numerical order, for example, "the second month," Gen_7:11, "the fourth month," 2Ki_25:3, and this was generally retained, even when the names were given, for example, "in the month Zif, which is the second month." 1Ki_6:1. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

According to Biblical commentaries the second temple foundation was laid on December 18th, just one week preceding the commemorative day of celebration known as Christmas. It is not my objective to argue the date but to show the birthdate of Jesus Christ as written in the Holy Scriptures as he is the Foundation Cornerstone of the Holy Spiritual Temple or Church of God. In 2022 the day commemorating the laying of the foundation of the Holy Temple who is Jesus Christ is the 24th of Kislev, the evening of December 17th as Hebrew days start at sundown, one day before the beginning of Hanukkah, which is the 25th of Kislev and is the re-dedication of the earthly temple in Jerusalem. Jesus was born at night per the Holy Scriptures as written in the book of Luke when the shepherds kept watch over the flock at night.

Unfortunately the unbelieving Jews have set their hearts on the physical temple and consider Hanukkah, a holy day which occurs one day after the birthday of Jesus Christ by no coincidence as a witness against them. The have set their hearts on the festival of dedication or lights rather than the the True Temple and Father of Lights. Oh, and by the way the prophet who prophesied Jesus birth as the foundation stone is named Haggai which is interpreted "My Festival".

Jer 7:4  Do not trust in lying words, saying, The temple of Jehovah, The temple of Jehovah, The temple of Jehovah are these. 

Rom 1:25  For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

Mat 12:6  But I say to you that One greater than the temple is in this place. (Jesus)

Heb 9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Twice in the book of Haggai and the only two times in the Old Testament God tells his people: "I am with you".

Haggai 1:13 Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, delivered the message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.

2:4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.

Jesus Christ is called Emmanuel which is interpreted "God with us" and also prophesied by Isaiah.

Matthew 1:22So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.

Jesus is the Sanctuary.

Isa 8:14  And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. 

Joh 2:20  Then the Jews said, This temple was forty-six years building, and will you rear it up in three days? 

Joh 2:21  But He spoke of the temple of His body

The apostle Paul defined the spiritual temple of God.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 

Eph 2:20  and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone

Eph 2:21  in whom every building having been fitly framed together, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord; 

Eph 2:22  in whom you also are built together for a dwelling place of God through the Spirit. 

1Co 3:9  For of God we are fellow-workers, a field of God, and you are a building of God. 

1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let every man be careful how he builds on it

1Co 3:11  For any other foundation can no one lay than the one being laid, who is Jesus Christ. 

Jesus is Salvation

Luk 2:21  And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS G2424, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 

G2424  Ἰησοῦς

Iēsous  Thayer Definition:  Jesus = “Jehovah is Salvation”

1) Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate

Salvation is Jeshua or Jahshuah in the Hebrew language, Joshua in the English language. Remember that the birth of Jesus Christ is written in the first two Psalms.

Psa 3:8  Salvation of Jehovah. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah. 

H3444   יְשׁוּעָה

Yeshû‛âh   yesh-oo'-aw

Feminine passive participle of H3467; something saved, that is, (abstractly) deliverance; hence aid, victory, prosperity: - deliverance, health, help (-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare.

Luk 2:21  And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, His name was called JESUS, the name called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 

Luk 2:22  And when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord 

The Law of Purification after Birth

Lev 12:2  Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, If a woman has conceived seed and has borne a male, then she shall be unclean seven days; as on the days of her menstrual impurity she shall be unclean. 

Lev 12:3  And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 

Lev 12:4  And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying thirty-three days. She shall touch no holy thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are fulfilled

The rest of the Christmas story concludes with the wise men bringing presents at a later in a house at Bethlehem. Most likely these men were from the area of Babylon, known for Magi, as the prophet Daniel was head over all them when Judah was there and likely the knowledge of Biblical Scripture was handed down from his teachings. Babylon is roughly 600 miles from Jerusalem and could be traveled in the forty days of purification for mother Mary and the dedication of Jesus to the Lord in Jerusalem which would be closer to and more likely to fall on December 25th.

Mat 2:1  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, 

Mat 2:2  saying, Where is He who is born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him. 

Mat 2:3  But when Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 

Mat 2:4  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 

Mat 2:5  And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea. For so it is written by the prophet, 

Mat 2:6  "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the governors of Judah. For out of you shall come a Governor who shall rule My people Israel." 

Mat 2:7  Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, inquired of them exactly what time the star appeared. 

Mat 2:8  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child. And when you have found him, bring me word again so that I may come and worship him also. 

Mat 2:10  And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 

Rev 22:16  I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify these things to you over the churches. I am the Root and theOffspring of David, the bright and Morning Star

The wise men came and found Jesus a short time after his birth not in the manger but now living in a house in Bethlehem.

Mat 2:11  And coming into the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother. And they fell down and worshiped Him. And opening their treasures, they presented gifts to Him, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 

Mat 2:12  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 

Mat 2:13  And when they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and His mother and flee into Egypt. And be there until I bring you word, for Herod is about to seek the child to destroy Him. 

Satan’s attack on the infant Lord Jesus.

Luk 10:18  And He said to them, I saw Satan fall from Heaven like lightning. 

Rev 12:4  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them onto the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman being about to bear, so that when she bears he might devour her child. 

Rev 12:5  And she bore a son, a male, who is going to shepherd all nations with a staff of iron. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 

The whole temple and church will be completely built with the return of Jesus Christ as the Headstone .

Rev 22:13  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the First and the Last. 

The Lord God Almighty Father and the Lamb are the temple of New Jerusalem descending from heaven.

Rev 21:2  And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. 

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty is its temple, even the Lamb. 

In conclusion we find in the Holy Scriptures the evidence that Jesus Christ, the Foundation Stone laid in the city of David and Zion which is Bethlehem for the Spiritual Temple of Heaven was born on the 24th day of the ninth Hebrew month now named Kislev. These Holy Scriptures containing the evidence of the day of Christ’ birth are written in the books of Haggai, Ezra, Zechariah, Luke, Isaiah, Psalm, Job, Revelation, etc. which were set forth by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  If we are allowed to name this day of Jesus Christ birth to be Christmas, then it takes place on the evening of December 17th 2022. According to historians the second earthly temple foundation was laid on December 18th. God bless all who hear the Word of God and abide in his only Begotten Son Jesus Christ forever, Amen.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Christians Must Suffer Persecution and Tribulation



The false prosperity and happiness teachings of today’s church are from Satan. If your life is good, you are happy about what is being taught in your church, in need of nothing, the world is treating you well and you call yourself a Christian; you have a major problem because the Bible does not teach these things for those who follow the Truth.

Luke 6:25.  Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.

James 4:9.  Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  10.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

I am not saying you can never be happy in this earth age but our only true lasting joy and happiness is in the Lord Jesus and his Holy Spirit and the expectation of our future in Christ and our Father’s kingdom away from an evil and adulterous world. We have not yet entered into the one thousand year reign of Christ with his Saints and therefore do not rule this world. If you are not being persecuted for Christ, the Holy Spirit does not rest upon you.

1 Peter 4:12.  Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;  13.  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  14.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

John 16:20.  "Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.  21.  "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.  22.  "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

1 Thessalonians 2:19.  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?  20.  For you are our glory and joy.

Acts 13:52.  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

We do not see the open persecution of Jesus followers yet in the so called free world yet but it is happening covertly to the few who truly follow the Word of God. Many will come out of this false church when open persecution begins during the time of great tribulation.

Hosea 5:15.  I will return again to My place till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; in their affliction they will diligently seek Me.''

It would be better if you came out of Laodicea now, which is this false prosperity church spoken of in the book of Revelation.

John 15:18.  "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.  19.  "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 15:20.  "Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  21.  "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

Timothy 3:12.  Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  13.  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Galatians 4:29.  But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.

Romans 8:35.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36.  As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.''  37.  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

1 Corinthians 4:12.  And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure it;  13.  being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

2 Corinthians 4:8.  We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are  
perplexed, but not in despair;  9.  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed   10.  always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  11.  For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Matthew 3:11.  "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Psalms 66:10.  For You, O God, have proved us; You have refined us as silver is refined.  11.  You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.  12.  You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

Mark 9:49.  "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.

1 Corinthians 3:13.  Everyone's work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.

Luke 21:11.  "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  12.  "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

The church of the gentile nations are not excluded from great tribulation.

Revelation 7:9.  After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10.  and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!''

Revelation 7:14.  And I said to him, "Sir, you know.'' So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

John 16:33.  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.''

1 Thessalonians 1:6.  And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 5:10.  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11.  "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  12.  "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jeremiah 20:12.  But, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous, and see the mind and heart, let me see Your vengeance on them; for I have pleaded my cause before You.

James 5:10.  My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.  11.  Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Study the scriptures and you will see that the church of God does not become stronger during prosperity but falls away into apostasy. You are not better than Jesus and the apostles so stop looking for a pretribulation rapture and watch the Word of God, studying the end times to prepare yourself and others for the great evil which is to come upon the whole world.

Daniel 11:32.  "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with smooth words; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.  33.  "And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.  34.  "Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by flatteries.  35.  "And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purge them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.