What an interesting topic to pop up on Bob Thiel's blog today after he has been publicly rebuked by Rod Meredith and ripped apart on various blogs by people are who are disgusted with him. Was Meredith's letter "persecution?" This blog? James Malm's deep seated disgust with Bob? Readers comments on various blogs?
The world's most renown authority on prophecy writes (bold highlights are Bob's)
COGwriter
Jesus taught:
20 If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you (John 15:20).
29… Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or
brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands,
for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now
in this time–houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children
and lands, with persecutions–and in the age to come, eternal life (Mark 10:29-30).
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven,
for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew
5:10-12).
The Apostle Paul taught:
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)
What should a Christian do when persecuted?
43 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies,
bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are
weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!
11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly
clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own
hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat.
We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all
things until now. 14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as
my beloved children I warn you. (1 Corinthians 4:10-14)
The most faithful to the word of God often are amongst the most persecuted.
Remember also that Jesus said:
32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer (Revelation 2:10).
Persecution is not fun, but it is expected.
He ends his screed with this:
All the faithful will be subject to persecution and being betrayed by
professing believers (Matthew 24:9-13, Mark 13:12-13; Luke 21:16-18;
Daniel 11:32-35). Persecution has taken many forms throughout history
and a deadly time of persecution is coming.
There is not a single COG out there that has been persecuted for their beliefs. They still are able to assemble freely, write absurdly ridiculous books, maintain blogs critical of the Catholic church and it's beliefs, ridicule other churches, races and sexual orientation. On and on the list could go.
Christian are being persecuted in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Indonesia, and other places. But according to Bob those are not "TRUE" Christians so their "persecution" is irrelevant. Only the members of the Living Church of God will suffer "real" persecution. However, the "Dr." apparently senses he is suffering it now.
Since Bob apparently does not understand what persecution is I suggest he check these sites out:
Voice of the Martyrs
Persecution: International Christian Concern
Persecution Project Foundation
Please Note:
The pictures below are of persecuted FAKE Christians,
at least according to Bob Thiel,
the world's foremost authority on
Christianity, prophecy and persecution.
The only real Christians on the face of the entire earth
are part of Living Church of God,
at least according to Bob Thiel,
the world's foremost authority on
Christianity, prophecy and persecution.