Scripture: Matthew 24:8-12
We also see in this process persecution comes to the Church. Persecution that must initiate a
preparation in order to endure to the end of the age. Jesus guarantees believers will be killed.
They will be hated. They will be an offence. Their own family members will betray them.
What can we say about such a season of persecution? Is the Church-world-at-large preparing
congregations for the level of persecution Jesus prophesies? We certainly have plenty of
people prepared for the rapture, but are we really thoroughly prepared for the persecution of
which Jesus speaks? It has the potential to parallel another holocaust!