Yea it is writen "wherefore, behold I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias whom ye slew between the temple and the altar" (Mat.23:34-35).
Jesus forewarns that "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."(John 16:2-3).
Indeed this word received fulfillment now and again in the apostolic age as found (in Acts.4:1-3) that "the priests and the captain of the temple, and the Saducees came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the ressurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them in hold". Also (Acts 5:17-33) "the High Priest rose up and all that were with him (which is the sect of the saducees) and were filled with indignation. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison, but the Angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said: Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life".
Yea, Stephen, one of the the seven deacons was stoned to death by the council of the high Priest (Acts 7:1-end); and Herod "killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews (the supposed people of God) he procegded further to take Peter also. ... and when he had apprehended him he put him in prison .." (Acts 12:1-4) but the Angel of the Lord opened the prison gates for him overnight. (Acts 12:7-11). "And others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better ressurrection". (Heb. 11:36-39).
"And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: They wandered in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented ... they wandered in deserts and in mountains and in dens and caves of the earth". And these all obtained a good report through faith.
Yea, such persecution which occurred in the dark ages through Roman emperor's decree in favour of a unified state religion (Roman Catholic Church) is prophesied to occur again at the end of the world (Rev.13:7), when all denominationn in unity of an ecumenical council and world council of churches will be ruled by a beast, antichrist, in a unified church & state governmental activity (Rome -again) (Dan.2:43,9:26-27) and they have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. They shall wage war against the saints (true believers who are separated from the governments of the world). Here is proof that the Catholic Church demanded the lives and minds of men. Listen to the edict of emperor Theodosius X: Theodosius First Edict ( which was issued immediately after he was baptised by the first church of Rome):
"WE THREE EMPERORS WILL THAT OUR SUBJECTS STEDFASTLY ADHERE TO THE RELIGION WHICH WAS TAUGHT BY ST. PETER TO THE ROMANS, WHICH HAS BEEN FAITHFULLY PRESERVED BY TRADITION AND WHICH IS NOW PROFESSED BY THE PONTIFF, DAMASUS OF ROME,AND PETER, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA, A MAN OF APOSTOLIC HOLINESS ACCORDING TO THE INSTITUTION OF THE APOSTLES, AND THE DOCTRINE OF THE GOSPEL; LET US BELIEVE IN ONE GODHEAD OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, OF EQUAL MAJESTY IN THE HOLY TRINITY. WE ORDER THAT THE ADHERENTS OF THIS FAITH BE CALLED CATHOLIC-CHRISTIANS; WE BRAND ALL THE SENSELESS FOLLOWERS OF THE OTHER RELIGIONS WITH THE INFAMOUS NAMES OF HERETICS, AND FORBID THEIR CONVENTICLES ASSUMING THE NAME OF CHURCHES. BESIDES THE CONDEMNATION OF DIVINE JUSTICE, THEY MUST EXPECT THE HEAVY PENALTY WHICH OUR AUTHORITY, GUIDED BY HEAVENLY WISDOM SHALL THINK PROPER TO INFLICT ..." (end quote).
The fifteen penal laws that this emperor issued in as many years deprived the evangelicals of all rights to the exercise of their religion, excluded them from all civil offices, and threatened them with fines, confiscation, banishment and even in some cases, death.
Yea we are headed right that way today! The Roman catholic church was the original first church of Rome that backslid and went into sin. In her was found the deeds and then the doctrine of Nicolaitanes (Rev.2:6) which exalt one man above every believer to make him religious king, whereas Christ said "ye all are brethren".
Now the Protestants, having gone a long way after Martin Luther, who protested against the papacy, are gathering at this end of the world in a world council of churches and shall cleave back in agreement to the catholicism from whence they cometh, in an ecumenical council. This mother and daughter combination is anti-word, anti-spirit and consequently antichrist.
A decree of the like above is then easily produceable that "all mushroom churched not recognised under the registered names of Baptists, Methodists,Catholic, Anglican CMS or Pentecostal churches etc., which are certified members of the world council of churches are forbidden to gather or carry on any activity in the country" Yea, that is where the world is heading to.
Behold, believer, fear not! But it shall be a time to try your faith and your understanding of why they are all lukewarm and false. In those days, which side will you be? Will it be super-state church or will it be the Lord Jesus Christ?
Jesus saith, "FEAR NOT LITTLE FLOCK FOR IT IS YOUR FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM" (Luke 12:32). For you must know that the leaders of all those registered organised churches are members of one occultic group or the other. Yet you cannot eat in the table of God and in the table of the devil.
Brethren, be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. DO NOT GO INTO THE CONFEDERATION OF CHURCHES! Stand out for Jesus Christ ever! If we suffer, we shall reign with him. If millions of the saints were persecuted and killed by false believers and they received a good report of faith, for they laid down their lives for their faith, we cannot expect anything better.
Lo, Christ saith, "The disciple is not above his master; if they had persecuted me they will also persecute you" (Mat.10:24-25, John 15:20), and brethren, "fear not, .... BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE" saith Jesus (Rev.2:10).
"I RECKON THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US (Rom. 8:18).
So, believer, brazen up yourselves to pass through the test of time! "FOR WE BROUGHT NOTHING TO THIS EARTH, AND IT IS CERTAIN THAT WE CAN CARRY NOTHING OUT OF IT" Amen!.