Persecution and the Gospel

Matthew 24:9-14

9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
(from New International Version)

These are some distressing verses. Being put to death, hated and betrayed because we follow Jesus. When I was in India there were three young school age girls that were beheaded because they were Christians. Christians in China are thrown in jail. France prohibits talking about Jesus. In Sudan, whole villages were killed because they would not deny their faith in Jesus. During the Roman Empire the roads would be lined with Christians hanging on crosses. Jesus said, "men will hate you because of me" Luke 21:17.

Because of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. I live in a small town in the country. I went to a big city not long ago and there were security guards at a McDonalds. I wondered what I was getting into. The people I met were unhappy and wondered why. It boiled down to sin. People drove like they were the only people on the road and didn't mind letting others know if they were inconvenienced in any way. If people are that upset about the driving what will it be like when wickedness is rampant. But, when people are not being nice or even trying to kill us we will still need to stand strong in our faith. Do not fear what man can do to you but fear God who holds your eternal soul in His hands.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
(from New International Version)

The Gospel being preached to every corner of the Earth. I have heard of a list of people groups that have not heard the Gospel. There is a group of people that are focusing on reaching each of these groups. By every group hearing the Gospel it means there are no excuses when we all are in heaven at the Great White Throne Judgement. The list is getting shorter and Jesus said when it is done the end will come.