Herod harasses the church and kills the Apostle James.

Acts 12:1-2

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.” Acts 12:1-2

Some knowledge that may help us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is this verse, “James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder” Mark 3:17 James and John were two of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, Mark 3:13-19. James, the brother of Jesus Christ, was alive and well in Acts 12:17 but was not one of the twelve Apostles.

The Holy Spirit is letting us know that the days are coming, and already are, when governing leaders will use their authority to harass the followers of Jesus Christ. Our brothers and sisters in Christ will have a spear driven through their heart to create excruciating heartache, pain, and anguish. That heartache comes by being aware of and being a witness to how fellow Christians are made to suffer, are afflicted, harassed, imprisoned, and even killed.

We live in a world where the large majority of the members of the United Nations are atheists. They scoff at belief in God, discard the need for Jesus Christ, and oppose the presence of the Holy Spirit. When the United Nations become the undisputed one world government then there will be governmental harassment, persecution, imprisonment, and killing of Christians. Today, the global government and its global culture are already revving up to that task.

The global government and its global culture, as it stands today, already live by the beast that governs by giving them what to speak, do, think, and feel. The beast opposes God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all of Christianity. That beast gives breath/life to the image of the beast to speak by speaking and living through people. By what they are given to say and do they are groomed to the mark, name, number of the beast.

“It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelations 13:7-8 The “him” in this verse is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 We are worth very much to God and His vengeance is coming to this world, “…for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye.” Zechariah 2:8 Our reward at His coming is the glory of a redeemed body and eternal life. As our Lord Jesus says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11