We’re going to suffer persecution.  But we’ve been given great promises, “I’ve given you all power and all authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm you” (Luke 9:1 and 10:19).  Beloved, let that come into your heart right now, that the persecution that’s coming doesn’t strike fear and terror into you.  We’re going to be hunted down because of the name of Jesus.  It will start off with little things like losing your job, being mocked in society, your name being a byword.  Does it sound familiar when we read the Scriptures that that’s exactly what the first apostles, the disciples, were experiencing, and they were beaten and mocked?  They were excommunicated; rejected by their families.  And what does the Scripture say their response to that was?  They counted it all joy that they would suffer for His name’s sake (Acts 5:40-41), praise God!  We’re talking about preparing for persecution. 

I would encourage us now to begin this preparation by expressing thanks to God for His goodness in all that He’s provided for us, rather than complaining about the little adversities we’re going through right now.  The little foxes, the footmen.  If we’re going to prepare for persecution, it needs to start today when we’re not experiencing the severity to which this is going to go.  How are you doing today?  That’s all I’m asking.  How are you doing today with the everyday trials, with adversities, with the small rejections or encounters that we might have on a daily basis?  Possibly people are mocking you.  Maybe people are isolating you at work, even now.  Are you counting it all joy?  Are you believing that this is what happened to our brothers and sisters, this great cloud of witnesses that has gone on before us?  Do you realize that you’re being hated because of your faith and because of your association with the Jesus?  That name that’s above every name, hallelujah!  Proclaim it loudly.  Proclaim it proudly; amen?  And when the adversity comes, and the trials come, respond as those that have gone before us, counting it all joy when we fall into these kinds of temptations, tests, and trials.

Look down here in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews for just a moment, and we see the great testimonies of those who “by faith (verse 29—) passed through the Red Sea… by faith the walls of Jericho fell down,” hallelujah! and they went in and possessed the land.  And he goes on and talks about the great victories that were won, whether it be Gideon or Samson or David.  Those “who through faith (verse 33—) subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,” hallelujah!  This is what we should be believing for!  Amen?  When the persecutions become real in our lives, we should be believing for these deliverances!  When I’m talking about trials and temptations, persecutions come, I’m not talking about us laying down.  I’m not talking about us just saying, “Well, you know, this was prophesied,” and allow the enemy to rule and to reign over our lives.  We’ve been given the power!  We’ve been given the authority, praise God!  Our faith is the victory; amen?