This verse sums it up:
Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
These verses go further into this, and weave a profound picture of the warfare of the saint in this life:
Psa_71:20; Job_5:19, Job_30:9-31, Job_42:12; Pro_24:16; Joh_16:33; Act_14:22; 2Co_4:7-12, 2Co_4:17, 2Co_11:23-27; 1Th_3:3-4; 2Ti_3:11-12; Heb_11:33-38; Jas_5:10-11; 1Pe_4:12-13; Rev_7:14-17
But there's a paradox to life. As we observe the actions, behavior, and outcome of peoples ambitions, and accomplishments. The righteous do not always win, sometimes they are killed, wiped out, taken from the earth.
Here's some examples:
Mat 14:10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
John the baptist, sent by God to declare the coming of the Messiah. What did the people do to him?....plotted and killed him. What did Jesus say of Him?
Mat 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
Mat 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus has this to say of all who are as John was:
Mat 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Mat 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave the great commission to all who believe in him:
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Anyone who believes in Christ today, and proclaims Him as Lord and King of the universe-will suffer persecution, we must expect it.
Hebrews ch. 11 gives us the hall of faith, and explains the outcomes of many down through the ages, and teaches us that there are some, with great faith, who choose to suffer, rather than enjoy the pleasures of this world:
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Heb 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
These, and many more, fly in the face of the deceitful teachings of the mega church leaders today-who never teach on these verses. It would ruin their agenda's, and their moneymaking schemes.
At this place in my life, I don't care if what I say sounds harsh, or unkind. The truth is, my heart grieves every day, by the things the Holy Spirit shows me that goes on throughout the country and the world. The riots and chaos in the streets of our nation is a direct reflection of how far we have gone away from the ways of the Lord. Lawlessness has taken over, there is no fear of the Lord in people today. Everyone does what's right, in their own eyes- we are reaping what we have sown.
But, what are the mega churches doing? The same as they've been doing for many years- scheming, manipulating, and continuing to put on their conferences and spewing their religious psychology; and there's plenty of people still willing to put their money in their coffers. They are like horses with blinders on-unable and unwilling to see that they are being fleeced, and lied to.
1. Rick Warren- He serves up an ominous blend of Catholicism\Islam\Buddhism\Christianity-mix well, and serve. You can also add the LBGTQ in. "Love", is the answer- forget the verses that speak of the abominations of these religions, and practices; that the Bible teaches that anyone who practices their sins, will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and warns us to not be a part of them.
2. Joel Osteen- The "encourager"- leave out doctrine, preaching against sin, its a bloodless gospel.
3. Joyce Meyer- "God didn't make you Holy Ghost junior"- That's not in the Bible- it's your own sarcastic answer to excuse people's ongoing lifestyles of unrighteousness, and sin. My Bible tells me to confront sin, and expose it- the boldness to do that only comes by the Holy Spirit- we are the temple of the Holy Ghost.
I'm responsible for myself- to listen to these people, then compare it with what scripture teaches about what they are saying, and either choose to believe them; or the word of God. I'll choose the Bible.
These people spend their supporters money on lavish hotel rooms costing thousands of dollars a night, mansions, luxury cars, vacations we can only dream of. They write books that contain material many of us would not be allowed to publish, because they have the influence and the money to get what they want. Jesus name in used as a means to promote and enable them to live these lavish lifestyles.
In my area, it's about the same. I've seen signs in front of some local churches offering yoga classes- they are blind, do not read their Bible, and it's obvious the pastor doesn't believe it either. There's a Buddhist alter of worship up on a cliff not far from me, and no "Christian" I know around here- seems to be concerned, or care at all. If you studied the scriptures of how God feels about this, you'd weep. This is not a country led by the God of the Bible anymore. We see the evidence of this, everyday on the news. But, I'll just address this with what Jesus said about Himself:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I could go on much longer, but instead will leave some links to some videos that are long, but give excellent teaching on the many false teachers, preachers, and "prophet's today; and warnings to stay away from them.
I'll also add this compilation of images- for emphasis, and a little humor. We are in very dark days, and they are going to get darker. Those of us who are awake, will need to be "as wise as serpents, and harmless as doves", and depend on the guidance of the Lord, to order our steps through the landmines in our path.
Lorna Couillard
The links go to videos worth taking the time to watch, just click the links, it will take you right to the sight:
The Modern Prophets and Faith Healers Utterly Destroyed by COVID 19 - Justin Peters Ministries - https://youtu.be/ajU5Yc-_UCY
The Floyd Protests To End All Protests- - https://youtu.be/0HKfevWSPxI
Midnight Ride: Last Days Cites of Refuge - https://youtu.be/kP5Rmoj8bvc