Bible Discussion Thread

I have a question in these end time's how are we to fight back is it only spiritually or physically .. when martial law comes to take us out our homes are we to fight back ? And are we to forgive them as they hurt us like Jesus did on the cross? things are happening so fast and i feel it's to late for me to learn ? how are we to handle or except it when your being taking away for them to kill God's children? certain things i'm not understanding can be frustrating .. are we to forgive those that are hurting us or wanting to kill us ..

Maryann, the Scripture you quote has to do with the Revelation given to John for the Church in Smyrna. Even though Smyrna was a real Church, the messages to all the seven Churches are for us today. Church at Ephesus left their first love; etc, etc.( Rev 2 & 3). I'm unsure of the time of their suffering, but through the ages, believers have suffered for their faith at the hands of wicked men. There is a time coming called the Great Tribulation, wherein the Anti-Christ will reign in Jerusalem as God, & all manner of evil will come from him & to those opposing him. From Scripture, we believe that Christians will be removed from the Earth before that time (the Rapture) & will not go through the Tribulation (which is a time of God's Wrath), yet this event doesn't preclude anti-Christian sentiment & actions by the world now. How should we behave? Just as Christ did: show love & forgiveness to all, not retaliate, pray for them & for each other; bear our cross gladly as He bore it for us.

Amen brother, well said! I believe it's the same as it always has been for believers/saints - Jesus gives us the ability to suffer for his name. We cannot do it without his strength and grace. But with Christ we can do and endure all the things that were impossible for us before. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:12

Thank You so much ... God Bless You!

I believe the way that we behave depends on whether or not we are of this world.