I will build my church and gates of hell shall not prevail against it. -Matthew 16:18
After the recently concluded elections in India; many believers seemed to be afraid of the future of the disciples of Christ. Yes, we are living in an uncertain age.
Yes, the times are deceptive. But one thing that we can be sure is about the promise of Christ, "I will never leave you nor forsake you”.
And the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church built by Christ.
The God of Daniel
We are living in a time similar to that of Daniel. Where the ruler of the nation is pagan and sets rules that makes life miserable and dangerous for those who worship the true God. But we serve the same God of Daniel who redeemed him from mouth of Lion;
saved his friends from deadly furnace. And made the king proclaim that the God of Daniel is the true God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
The Roman Transformation
When the mighty Roman Empire was trying to persecute and destroy Christian faith.
None thought the Disciples of Christ stood a chance. But within turn of two centuries Christian faith had swept over the Roman Empire. Though the mighty Roman Empire went all out to destroy; the Christian faith prevailed. It's an irony of history that the name Caesar used by Roman emperors became the pet name of dogs in 20th century.
While the name of Peter & Paul whom they persecuted became the chosen name of kings and eminent personalities.
The Chinese Miracle
When the Chinese communist party under Chairman Mao implemented Cultural Revolution in the 1970's. The Chinese Christian church came under heavy persecution.
Many historians thought that under the iron curtain Christian faith will have a natural death. But three decades later church and Christian faith in China had emerged victorious reaping a 100 fold growth. Today secular reports show a Christian population between 60_100 million. And a minimum of 35000 daily conversions to Christian faith in China as of 2001. And is expected to grow faster. Many historians say that it requires only the emergence of a Chinese 'Constantine' for Christianity to sweep across China.
The work of Holy Spirit is so powerful that Henan, the birth place of world famous Shaolin kungfu is now 75% Christian referred as the "Jerusalem of China".
The Acts of Africans
After seeing how Holy Spirit dealt with oppressive regimes in Europe and Asia let's see what happened in Africa. Beginning of 1900's Africa had 10% Christian population.
Now the Christian population in Africa stands at 45% as the biggest religion of Africa.
The sword of Islam, scorn of natives, scourge of racism nothing could stop the advance of the Gospel. The President of Zambia dedicated his nation to Jesus Christ.
The number of Protestants in Africa outnumbers that in Europe the birth place of protestant Christianity. Uganda the nation which has seen cruel persecution of Christians under Muslim dictator Idi Amin is now 80% Christian. African churches have started sending missionaries to Europe.
The work of Holy Spirit is so much so that sociologists across globe are studying the tectonic shift in African religiosity.
Take heart dear ones; it's time for revival in India.
Where the sin abounds HIS Grace will be revealed in increasing measure.
Whenever the rulers and authorities tried to destroy the glorious faith in Christ Jesus; they had to meet with failure only. None of the schemes of devil shall prosper.
Gates of hell shall not prevail over the church of Christ redeemed by HIS blood !!!.
In Christ,
Tent-e-Makers
