How should Christians prepare for persecution?

In the face of increasing cultural pressures, Alexander Strauch draws inspiration from the courage of biblical figures like Daniel, who "purposed in his heart" (Dan. 1:8) not to conform to the expectations of his time while a captive in Babylon. Strauch warns that persecution, possibly in the form of legal challenges and social discrimination, is a reality Christians may soon face. The New Testament extensively discusses suffering for the Lord, urging believers to stand firm in their beliefs despite societal opposition.

Strauch stresses the importance of “readiness” in preparing for the inevitability of persecution. This involves teaching young people and church communities what the Bible says about persecution and suffering for the faith. By understanding and accepting that persecution is a normal part of the Christian journey, as noted by Peter, believers can find comfort in knowing they are on the right path. This readiness involves not only knowing the Scriptures, but also being prepared to face opposition with courage and resilience.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV): "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 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."

Well, in that Daniel passage, particularly Daniel 1-8, he purposed in his heart, I like that statement, he purposed in his heart not to eat of their food. And we see the courage of Daniel. So I learned from that, courage stand for your beliefs. So I think we're going to see more actual outward persecution. It may come in the form of litigations against our beliefs.

We may not be, well, we're considered discriminating already against the gender issues and the sexual issues, but I think we're going to see a day here where it will be illegal. I don't know if you'll get a job if you will not surrender to the sexual revolutionaries. And they're very militant and they're aggressive and they're coming after us. So I think that's what we're going to see. So here's what I would say to you And I've done this myself in my book acts 20 where Paul talks about the persecution he had we need To take our Bibles and see what the Bible says about persecution Here's what you're gonna be shocked how much the New Testament talks about suffering for the Lord and persecution.

So I've listed all the verses. I think it's on my website, biblicalellorship.com. All the verses, and I don't know if I have them all, But there are a lot. How does a Christian respond to persecution? We're given specific instructions.

In fact, we're actually to rejoice in persecution because it tells us that we're doing the right thing. So I think we need to be teaching our young people about persecution in the neighborhood with other children who might be making fun of them or challenging their beliefs. So I think we need to do more teaching on this. We need to be looking at the scriptures and preparing ourselves. Now in the army they have a word it's called readiness, readiness.

And we need to be ready and are we ready? Are we teaching our churches what Jesus taught and what the apostles taught about suffering for the Lord and about persecution. So I think we ought to adopt that word readiness and be seen what our Bible says about this. And incidentally, according to Peter, this is perfectly normal. It's a little abnormal what we've seen in America.

We haven't been really persecuted. No one's locked me up yet or put me in a concentration camp or threatened my life. But what is coming, I feel, and it's right here right now, I shouldn't say coming. There is, from our neighborhood, men at work, women at work, are seeing more and more pushback by the world, yeah.