Philadelphia

[micah719]

Philadelphia - "brotherly love"


George Whitefield


Jonathan Edwards


Persecution of the Waldenses - Massacre of Mérindol 1545


Underground Church - Somewhere in China

Rev 3:7-13
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.


Bibles for the wolrd:
Bibles For The World

[WKUHilltopper]

Underground Church - Somewhere in China

Wow...this picture is convicting. These people are probably risking their lives and freedom (what little they have) to learn about and worship God. I'm such a wimp! God bless these people and Lord keep them from harm. I wish I could reach out and help them but know that God is much worthier at that than I. Nearly brings a tear to this old redneck's eye...

[micah719]

Last Sunday we had a Pastor from Open Doors come and give a talk at our service. He himself experienced persecution as a Christian in the USSR, and had many tear-provoking stories of what our brethren are experiencing....great opposition and terrible persecution, but in the midst of that they see The Lord loving and supporting them in ways we comfortable fat sheep can not imagine. Makes me want to ditch this life in the west and go serve The Lord in places where bearing His glorious Name is a signed death warrant awaiting execution. No need to go, though, sooner than we might imagine those things are going to come home to roost even here. The laws are laid, all we need now is the right crisis. And the best thing about that is....the hypocrites will evaporate like mist on a hot day. Nothing like hot fire to purify the metal. No Todd Bentleys and Rick Warrens and Rob Bells in concentration camps and underground churches (though perhaps in uniforms, with clubs...)! No need to worry about The Shack and Harry Potter and Narnia, The Bible is the only Food that will satisfy in those circumstances. In the Chinese Churches, if they have no Bibles, the faithful memorize a book. So if you want some Scripture, you go talk to Brother Romans, or Sister First John. Now that's commitment that shames.

God bless these people and Lord keep them from harm

A hearty amen, especially this bit.