Understanding the Coming Christian Persecution

As American Christians, I think it's hard for us to imagine being persecuted in our own country. Perhaps if we were trying to serve as missionaries in North Korea or China or the Middle East, we could expect to be arrested, beaten, or put to death just for sharing the gospel. But here in the United States? Why not? What prevents violent and systematic persecution of Christianity from our shores?  The COVID lockdowns of the past year have proven to me with alarming rapidity that we are not so far removed from the plight of the church historically in diverse places and times. Church services forbidden. Singing songs together banned. And major alleged news media outlets running stories blaming Christians for being "anti-science" and thereby spreading the pandemic. Despite not usually being a fan of John MacArthur, I must admit he has been a true American hero through the past year. For just the latest example of what I mean, check out his sermon from June 17th, 2021 titled 'When Government Rewards Evil and Punishes Good,' sent me by my friend Lukas Abernathy yesterday afternoon. And to further drive home the point MacArthur is making about our current circumstances, consider the new documentary 'The Government War on Worship' highlighted yesterday in this article by Jon Brown at The Daily Wire.  Who would have thought a few short years ago that the Chinese Communist Party's repression of Christians in that country would be juxtaposed with some merit alongside images and footage of Canadian law enforcement arresting and repressing pastors and laypeople just for trying to hold church services in North America in violation of public health orders? If you didn't see that happening - at least so soon - neither did I. And what else might come sooner than we think next? But whatever comes next, it's important to remember what's in play here. It's critical to recognize what is really at the center of this conflict. And most importantly, it's imperative we remember who wins in the end.