The Return of Christ

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus.

Today, I want to talk about something that should fill every Christian's heart with excitement and expectation—something that's both a promise and a mystery. It's the return of Jesus Christ.

Jesus IS coming back. He told us He would, and we have set our hope on His return. But when? When will He come back? I believe there's one verse in the Bible that gives us the clearest picture of when that will happen… Matthew 24:14.

Now, before we dive in, let me say this: I know this is a topic that gets some people nervous or uncomfortable. But I think we need to talk about it more, not less. Because understanding when Jesus might return should radically change how we live right now.

Throughout the centuries, different people have tried to predict when Christ will return. Date-setters have come and gone, predictions have failed, and frankly, a lot of people have made the Church look foolish with their specific prophecies. But you know what? Even Jesus's own disciples were eager to know when He would return.

Listen to this scene from Matthew 24. Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives, and the disciples come to Him privately. They ask: "Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" It's such a human question, isn't it? They want to know the timeline. They want specifics. They want dates.

And Jesus answers—but not the way they expected. He says: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." Then, a bit later in that same conversation, Jesus clearly states: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

So Jesus tells them—and us—that no one knows the specific day or hour. Not even Him, at that time. Only the Father knows. But friends, Jesus didn't leave us completely in the dark. He DID make one statement that helps us understand when He will return.

Here it is. Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Read that again with me: "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and THEN the end will come." The whole world. Every people group. Every nation must have an opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. And here's the stunning part: Who is to do the preaching? The Church. Us. His hands and feet in the world.

Let me read you something powerful from theologian George Eldon Ladd. He wrote: "God has entrusted to us the continuation and the consummation of that task. Here is the thing that thrills me. We have come far closer to the finishing of this mission than any previous generation."

Did you catch that? We are closer to finishing the Great Commission than any generation in history! He continues: "We have done more in the last century and a half in worldwide evangelization than all the preceding centuries since the time of the apostles."

Friends, can you imagine the privilege and awesome responsibility of having a part in bringing Christ back to earth? Think about that for a moment. Your prayers, your giving, your going, your support of missionaries—all of it could be part of the generation that sees the Great Commission completed. All of it could help bring Jesus back.

Our modern technology has revolutionized missions. We have the internet, smartphones, satellites, translation software, air travel. Things that previous generations couldn't even dream of. Languages that were previously unknown are being recorded and written down for the first time. Bible translation has accelerated at an unprecedented rate.

In 2010, when I first wrote about this topic on my blog, the Word of God had been translated at least partially into over 2,000 languages or dialects. But listen to where we are now in 2025: At least some portions of the Bible have been translated into 4,007 languages out of 7,396 known languages in the world.

As of August 2025, just 544 languages remain on the waiting list for Bible translation to begin—representing 36.8 million people. Think about that progression! In 1999, more than 5,000 languages needed Bible translation. In 2020, it was over 2,000 languages. A year ago, it was 985 languages. Today? Just 544. This acceleration is incredible—Bible translation has engaged more than 4,600 languages since 1999. We are witnessing history, friends. We're seeing Vision 2025—a goal set in 1999 to have Bible translation started in every remaining language—coming remarkably close to completion.

It’s estimated that 28% of the world, approximately 2.3 billion people, still have virtually no exposure to the gospel message. That's a massive number. That's billion with a B. But here's what gives me hope: There are 57,000 Evangelical Christians for every one unreached people group. Read that again. Fifty-seven THOUSAND evangelical Christians for every single unreached people group. The task CAN be completed. The question isn't whether we have the resources. The question is: Will we use them?

Like I mentioned in a previous podcast, of the approximately 400,000 Christians classified as missionaries worldwide, only about 11,000 to 12,000—roughly 3%—are going to unreached peoples. Three percent. That means only 1 of every 174,000 Christians goes as a missionary to the unreached.

Friends, this is what missions leaders call "The Great Imbalance." We have more than enough resources—both people and money—to finish the Great Commission. But 97% of our missionary force is working among people who already have access to the Gospel. That's not wrong, necessarily. Discipleship matters. Church planting among reached peoples matters. But shouldn't more than 3% of our missionaries be going to the 2.3 billion people who have never heard?

The Global Church has roughly 14,000 times the financial resources and 36,000 times the manpower needed to finish the Great Commission. This isn't a resource problem. It's a mobilization problem. It's a will problem. It's a "do we really believe this" problem.

So let me ask something that's been convicting me: Do we eagerly anticipate and desire the Lord's return? How often do you think about Jesus coming back? I'll be honest—when I originally wrote this blog post in 2010, I did not think of His return very often. My life on earth was comfortable and relatively easy. I wanted Him to come back, but I don’t think I eagerly anticipated His return as I should have. But then came 2020. If you are anything like me, a lot changed in the way I looked at the world. My eyes were opened in many ways. Now I do think about and anticipate the return of Jesus Christ almost daily. 

If we really comprehend how incredible Jesus is... If we really understand what life will be like in Heaven with Him... If we look forward just a bit to Heaven... Then I think we all should be thinking about His return a lot more than we are! And if we begin thinking about His return more, we should be doing more to hasten His coming.

Here's what George Eldon Ladd wrote that absolutely thrills me: "If a relatively small minority of God's people took this text seriously and responded to its challenges, we could finish the task of worldwide evangelization in our own generation. We would then witness the Lord's return!"

Did you catch that? A relatively SMALL minority. Not everyone. Not even most Christians. Just a small minority who take Matthew 24:14 seriously. We could finish this in our generation. We could witness the Lord's return.

Friends, can you imagine the privilege of having a part in bringing Christ back to earth? It should be something that causes all Christians to do all they can to spread the good news of Jesus to every people group. But that isn't happening at the scale it needs to. Why? I think it's partly because we don't think about Heaven enough. We're too comfortable here. We love Jesus, but we love our comfort more.

So what do we do? How do we respond to this reality? First, we PRAY. Prayer is not the least we can do—it's the most powerful thing we can do. Pray for unreached people groups by name. Pray for missionary organizations. Pray for Bible translators. Pray that Jesus will continue to appear in dreams in the Muslim world…more on that in another podcast. Pray for doors to open in closed countries.

Second, we LEARN. Find out which people groups are unreached. Learn their names. Learn where they are. Learn what's keeping them from hearing the Gospel. Knowledge leads to action. 

Third, we SHARE. Not everyone can go overseas as a missionary, but everyone can share the Gospel where they are. Start practicing being a witness in your own neighborhood. If you can't cross an ocean, you can cross the street.

Fourth, we SUPPORT. Give financially to missions. Support Bible translation. Sponsor missionaries. Your money can literally put the Gospel into people's hands in languages they've never had access to before. 

And fifth, some of us need to GO. Not everyone, but some. Maybe you. Maybe your kids. Maybe someone in your small group. Ask God if He's calling you to go to the unreached.

Friends, we are living in an unprecedented time. From May 2019 to May 2021, a new language was being engaged with Bible translation every five days. From May 2021 to May 2023, that increased to every 30 hours. Every 30 hours! That's the kind of acceleration we're seeing. The task can be completed. It WILL be completed. The only question is: When? And the answer has a lot to do with us. Each of us can make a difference. We can pray, learn, share, support, and go.

Jesus tells us plainly that He will return once every nation has had an opportunity to hear the Gospel message. That doesn't necessarily mean every single person—though that would be wonderful. But it does mean at least every distinct people group with their own culture, language, and ethnicity. And we're closer to that goal than we've ever been.

Think about it: What if we're the generation? What if the decisions we make in the next 10, 20, 30 years determine whether Jesus returns in our lifetime or our children's lifetime or our grandchildren's lifetime? What if our prayers, our giving, our going could make the difference?

So here's my question for you today: Will you take Matthew 24:14 seriously? Will you be part of the generation that finishes the Great Commission?

I'm not asking you to quit your job and move to Africa tomorrow—though maybe God is calling you to do exactly that. But I am asking: Will you do something? Will you pray regularly for an unreached people group? Will you give sacrificially to Bible translation or missionary support? Will you learn about the unreached and teach your kids about them? Will you consider short-term mission trips? Will you ask God if He's calling you to go long-term?

This generation could see Jesus return. We have the technology. We have the resources. We have the people. What we need is the will. What we need are Christians who care more about seeing Jesus than about being comfortable. What we need are believers who will sacrifice now so that people they'll never meet, this side of Heaven, can hear about Jesus and spend eternity in Heaven.

Dearest Lord Jesus, we believe that You are coming back. We don't know if You will return in our lifetime but we pray that You will. When You do, we want to hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We want to know that we played our part—however small—in getting the Gospel to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.

We want to be able to look into the eyes of believers from unreached people groups in Heaven and know that our prayers, our giving, our going helped make it possible for them to be there. Holy Spirit, make this true in each of our lives as we willing obey You. In Jesus’ name, Amen,

Thank you for joining me today in this conversation about the return of Jesus and our role in His coming. I pray this has stirred something in your heart—excitement, conviction, hope, urgency. Whatever God is saying to you right now, don't ignore it. Respond. Take a step. Do something.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, remember that Jesus is coming back, and live like you believe it.

Sources: Joshua Project, Wycliffe Bible Translators, ProgressBible, Global Frontier Missions, The Traveling Team, Radical.net, SIL International

Listen to this in podcast form at Spotify

North Korea: The World's Worst Persecutor of Christians

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus.

Today, I want to talk about something that absolutely breaks my heart—something that I believe should capture far more of the world's attention than it does.It's the persecution of Christians in North Korea.

For the 23rd consecutive year, North Korea has been named the worst persecutor of Christians in the world by Open Doors. Twenty-three years. Think about that. Nearly a quarter century of holding the number one spot for the most dangerous place on earth to follow Jesus. 

The conditions for believers inside this politically closed, spiritually dark nation remain what can only be described as "extremely harsh.” We're talking about an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Christians imprisoned for their faith right now—many of them tortured, and some reportedly used as subjects for biological and chemical weapons testing.

Let that sink in for a moment. Human beings—our brothers and sisters in Christ—being used as guinea pigs for weapons testing simply because they believe in Jesus.

Now, here's what troubles me: While the international community is legitimately concerned about North Korea's nuclear ambitions—and they should be—most of the world seems to be overlooking the ongoing and serious human rights violations being carried out by the repressive regime of Kim Jong Un.

We hear about missiles. We hear about nuclear tests. We hear about geopolitical tensions. But we don't hear nearly enough about the Christians suffering in labor camps. We don't hear about the families torn apart. We don't hear about the secret believers worshiping in constant fear for their lives.

Today, I want to shine a light on what's really happening there. Not just the statistics—though we'll talk about those—but the human reality behind them.

Among the many atrocities taking place in North Korea is one of purposeful neglect.

While Kim Jong Un and the country's elite live in absolute opulence—and I mean real luxury, friends—millions of ordinary citizens continue to suffer from chronic food shortages and malnutrition that have plagued the population for decades.

The disparity is staggering. The leaders feast while the people starve. It's a tale as old as tyranny itself, but that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking. And in this environment of desperate poverty and constant surveillance, Christians are trying to follow Jesus. Can you imagine?

To understand why Christianity is so viciously persecuted in North Korea, you have to understand their national ideology.

It's called Juche—essentially a form of personality cult that centers on the absolute worship of the Kim family. This isn't just political loyalty we're talking about. This is worship. State-mandated worship of human beings.

This ruling philosophy treats any religious belief—any recognition of a deity beyond the Kim family—as an existential threat to the regime. And they're not wrong to see it that way, because Christianity is a threat to their power. When you worship the one true God, you can't worship a dictator.

According to Open Doors, "Every religious activity is recognized as an insurrection to the North Korean socialist principles.” The government has been especially zealous—and I use that word intentionally—in its attempts to eradicate Christianity. They've taught the population that Christians are dangerous, crazy, subversive people.

So what does it actually look like to be a Christian in North Korea?

First of all, simply owning a Bible is illegal and can result in immediate execution. Let me say that again: owning a Bible can get you killed on the spot.

If a Christian's faith is discovered, one of two things happens: either they're killed immediately, or they're sent to a labor camp and treated as a political criminal, where they're punished with years of hard labor that very few survive.

And here's something that makes this even more horrific: the persecution doesn't stop with the believer only. North Korean authorities routinely round up the extended family of discovered Christians and punish them as well—even if the family members aren't Christians themselves. Even children. The youngest recorded detainee was only two years old at the time of arrest.

Two years old.

There are no church buildings. There's no Sunday morning worship. There's no Bible study in someone's living room. There's no Christian radio station or bookstore or coffee shop where believers can gather.

It's impossible to gather for worship or prayer. Even secret worship and prayer put Christians at enormous risk. Official spies could inform on you. Your neighbors could report you. Your child's teacher could turn you in.

And if you thought maybe things were getting better, let me tell you what happened in early 2024.

The government announced even stricter regulations and increased crackdowns. And then they made a public example. According to Chosun TV, authorities publicly executed approximately 30 middle-school students—teenagers, friends, just kids—for watching a South Korean drama on a USB drive. Several other teenagers were sentenced to life imprisonment or death for similar infractions.

If they'll do that for watching a TV show, imagine what they do to Christians.

This intensified climate of terror affects all North Koreans, but Christians face disproportionate targeting. They're considered enemies of the state at the highest level.

Now, you might think, "Well, at least if they can escape North Korea, they'll be safe.” But that's not true either.

North Korean refugees who escape the country are not safe. Those in China and other neighboring countries are at constant risk of being rounded up and forcibly repatriated—sent back to face punishment. Chinese authorities actively work with North Korean officials to return refugees. It's a coordinated effort to hunt down escapees.

And here's the devastating part: If it's discovered that a North Korean has become a Christian, or heard the gospel, or simply come into contact with Christians while outside the country, they will be singled out for especially severe punishment when they're sent back. So even in freedom, there's no real freedom. The threat follows them.

But friends, here's where the story gets absolutely remarkable. Despite these inhuman circumstances—despite the surveillance, the torture, the executions, the family punishment, all of it—Christianity continues to grow in North Korea.

Let that sink in. In the worst place on earth to be a Christian, the church is growing.

Open Doors estimates there are approximately 400,000 Christians in North Korea today. All of them following Jesus in complete secrecy. All of them risking everything. As one secret Open Doors fieldworker supporting North Korean believers stated: "Despite persecution, nothing and no one can stop the church from growing."

Isn't that powerful? It's a living testimony to what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18: "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Even in North Korea, Jesus is building His church.

Former prisoners report that some Christians are so courageous—and I mean extraordinarily brave—that they share the gospel with fellow inmates. They host silent prayer gatherings. They share contraband scripture at enormous personal risk.

The Light of Christ is shining in one of the world's darkest places. And darkness cannot overcome it.

Now, here's where I want to shift gears a bit, because I believe we're at a crucial moment.

President Trump has publicly stated his willingness to engage in renewed dialogue with Kim Jong Un. He's referenced their previous meetings and correspondence during his first term. He's talked about their relationship. And listen, I know the nuclear issue is critical. I'm not downplaying that. National security matters.

But friends, this diplomatic opening presents an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss.

The Trump administration is currently evaluating various scenarios for engagement with North Korea. Meetings are being discussed. Channels are being explored. Strategies are being developed. And as these discussions take shape, it's absolutely essential that human rights—particularly religious freedom—become a non-negotiable part of any diplomatic framework.

Here's the thing: President Trump has emphasized his personal relationship with Chairman Kim. He's talked about the letters they exchanged. He's described their conversations. He even stepped foot on North Korean soil—the first sitting U.S. president to do so. That's unprecedented. That's unique leverage.

This rapport could be used to address not only security concerns but also the unconscionable treatment of Christian believers. During his first term, President Trump demonstrated a willingness to raise human rights issues directly with authoritarian leaders. He wasn't afraid to have hard conversations. That same boldness is needed now. Maybe even more than before.

So here's what I'm calling for—what I believe we as Christians should be calling for:

First, make religious freedom a central component of any diplomatic engagement with North Korea, not a secondary concern or an afterthought.

Second, demand verifiable access for international human rights monitors to North Korean prison camps. No more closed doors. No more hiding the truth.

Third, condition any sanctions relief on measurable improvements in religious freedom and the release of prisoners of conscience. Real change, not promises.

Fourth, use both public and private diplomatic channels to apply consistent pressure on the Kim regime regarding the treatment of Christians. Make it a priority in every conversation.

Fifth, coordinate with allies in South Korea and Japan to present a unified front on human rights as an integral part of regional security. This can't be just America speaking up—it needs to be the whole region.

President Trump has repeatedly said he believes he can make deals that others cannot. He's positioned himself as the ultimate dealmaker. Well, this is his opportunity to use that diplomatic leverage not just for denuclearization—though that's important—but for the fundamental human right of religious freedom.

Think about the legacy that would create. Think about the lives that would be saved. Think about the testimony it would be to the world if America used its power to stand up for persecuted Christians.

The world is watching North Korea's nuclear program. But God is watching how His children are being treated. And the international community, led by the United States, has both the moral obligation and the diplomatic tools to demand change.

Now, I want to bring this home for a moment. What does all this mean for us? For you sitting in your car or your home or wherever you're listening to this?

It's easy to hear these stories and feel overwhelmed. It's easy to think, "What can I possibly do about North Korea? I'm just one person.” But friends, we're not powerless. Not at all.

First and most importantly, we must pray.

Pray for the transformation of hearts. Pray for Kim Jong Un and the other leaders of North Korea to encounter Jesus Christ personally, experiencing the life-changing power of the Gospel.

Can you imagine if Kim Jong Un came to Christ? Can you imagine the doors that would open for the Gospel in that nation? Nothing is impossible with God….just look at Kings Nebuchadnezzar, Darius and Cyrus during Daniel’s days. Don't underestimate what God can do when His people pray.

But let's not stop with prayer. There are practical things we can do:

Support organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, and International Christian Concern. They're doing real work to help North Korean believers.

Write to your elected officials. Let them know you care about religious freedom in North Korea. Ask them to make it a priority.

Raise awareness. Share these stories. Share this podcast. Don’t let the persecuted church be forgotten.

When you hear news about North Korea, don't just think about missiles and politics. Remember the Christians. Remember the 400,000 believers worshiping in secret.

And keep the eternal perspective, friends.

This life is so short compared to eternity. If we are asked to suffer—and Jesus promised we would—so that Christ will be glorified and so that other people will not suffer for eternity in Hell, shouldn't we be willing to obey? What's 20, 40, 60, even 80 years compared to forever?

Our North Korean brothers and sisters understand this. They're living it out right now. They're making the calculation and choosing Christ. Choosing to risk everything. Choosing to lose everything. And they're doing it joyfully because they know the math works out—eternity with Jesus is worth any temporary suffering.

You know what's amazing about the persecuted church? They show the rest of us what real faith looks like. They show us that Jesus is worthy. Worthy of our lives. Worthy of our suffering. Worthy of everything we have and everything we are.

When someone is willing to go to a labor camp rather than deny Christ, that says something. When someone is willing to die rather than stop sharing the Gospel, that testifies to the reality and power of Jesus. The world sees that kind of faith and has to ask: What do they have that's worth dying for?

And the answer is: Someone. Someone who already died for them. Someone who rose from the dead. Someone who's preparing a place for them in eternity.

So let me ask you something today: What are you willing to risk for Jesus? I'm not asking this to make you feel guilty. I'm asking because it's a question we all need to wrestle with.

We live in relative comfort and safety. Most of us have never been threatened because of our faith. We can go to church openly. We can own Bibles. We can share the Gospel without fear of execution. But are we using that freedom? Or are we so comfortable that we've become complacent?

The persecuted church challenges our comfortable Christianity. They show us what it means to truly follow Jesus, to count the cost and pay it gladly.

Brothers and sisters, I want to close with this encouragement.

The persecuted church in North Korea needs our prayers, our advocacy, and our unwavering solidarity. They are not forgotten. Not by us, and certainly not by God.

Their courage in following Jesus—despite the ultimate cost—stands as a testimony to the unstoppable power of the Gospel.

And one day—maybe soon, maybe not in our lifetime, but one day—Jesus is coming back. And when He does, every knee will bow. Even Kim Jong Un's. Even the North Korean guards'. Even the prison camp commanders’. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

On that day, our brothers and sisters who suffered in those labor camps will be vindicated. Their faith will be proven right. Their sacrifice will be shown to be worth it. And they'll hear the words we all long to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master."

Heavenly Father, we come before You to pray for an immediate end to barbaric treatment…an end to the torture, imprisonment, and execution of Christians. May this mistreatment capture international attention and may governments worldwide demand its end.

Shine Christ's light into the darkness. May Your light, Lord Jesus, continue shining throughout this darkened nation, penetrating even the most heavily guarded labor camps.

Provide supernatural strength for imprisoned believers. May Your presence be with Christians who have been imprisoned and those being tortured right now. Bring comfort, strength, and encouragement to families who have lost loved ones.

We pray for a bold witness for our North Korean and Chinese brothers and sisters who continue sharing their faith courageously, even in the face of fierce persecution and death. Give them divine appointments and supernatural protection.

Provide spiritual fortification. Help Christian believers remain strong in You, O Lord and in the power of Your might, standing firm in their faith regardless of circumstances.

We ask for Kingdom breakthrough. Continue to bring Your Kingdom to North Korea with great and awesome power. Holy Spirit, move among the people, drawing multitudes into relationship with Jesus Christ. May new believers be discipled even in the most difficult circumstances.

And Lord, we pray for diplomatic breakthrough. Give wisdom to President Trump, Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, and their administration as they consider engagement with North Korea. May human rights and religious freedom be prioritized in these critical conversations.

We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Thank you for joining me today for this difficult but necessary conversation. I know it's heavy. I know it's heartbreaking. But we can't look away. We can't forget. And we can't be silent.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, remember those who are suffering, and live in such a way that Jesus is shown to be worth everything.

Sources:

Primary Organizations: Open Doors (2025 World Watch List), Voice of the Martyrs, International Christian Concern, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB)

News & Analysis: CNN, The Baptist Paper, CatholicVote.org, Christian Post, 38 North, The Diplomat, Foreign Policy, Lowy Institute

Key Statistics: 50,000-70,000 Christians imprisoned in North Korea; 400,000 estimated secret believers; 380+ million Christians persecuted globally (1 in 7); North Korea ranked #1 for 23 consecutive years

For more information and to support persecuted Christians: OpenDoorsUSA.org, Persecution.org (ICC), VOMRadio.net

To hear this in podcast form go to Spotify podcast

The Purpose of Suffering: Why God Allows Persecution

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus.

Today, I want to talk about something that weighs heavily on my heart—something that comes up again and again as I've learned about the persecuted church and prayed for the lost around the world.

It's the question of suffering.

Why does God allow His people to suffer? Why does persecution exist? And what are we supposed to do with these realities in our comfortable Western lives?

These aren't easy questions, but they're important ones. So let's explore them together today.

First, let me be clear about what the Bible says. Scripture tells us repeatedly that if we follow Christ, we will suffer. This isn't a maybe. It's not a possibility. It's a promise.

Listen to these words from Jesus Himself in Matthew 5:10-12:

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

In John 15:18-20, Jesus said:

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you."

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8-11:

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

And perhaps most directly, in 2 Timothy 3:12:

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

So the question isn't whether Christians will suffer. The question is: Why?

Jesus tells us that we will be persecuted. But listen carefully to the reason: Because in no other act of a human being is God's love shown more profoundly.

Jesus was the ultimate martyr. He gave His life for us, and He tells us time and again that we must be willing to do the same for others. And that is exactly what Christians are doing all over the world right now—today, in this very moment.

Think about this: As people willingly sacrifice their lives—not just through death, but also through other types of loss and persecution—those around them see a God who is worth giving everything for.

When they see Christians give everything for God, they begin to believe that God loves them and will give everything for them.

Actions speak louder than words, don't they? When people see Christians who are bold in their belief, who desire to tell others about Christ even at the risk of persecution, unbelievers often want to know more.

Paul himself said in Philippians 1:14: "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."

Here's something remarkable that history has proven time and again: The Christian Church grows through persecution.

There's an ancient saying that has stood the test of time: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."

God is glorified when people see that faith in Him is worth losing everything on this earth—even life itself. This isn't theoretical, friends. We're seeing it happen right now in places like Iran, China, and across the 10/40 Window. The more Christians are persecuted, the more the church grows.

Now, let me interject some thoughts about America at this point.

Right now, there is much concern about the future of our nation—morally and financially. Many Christians are worried, anxious, looking at the changes around us with fear.

But I want to challenge that perspective. I don't think we, as Christians, should be worried and concerned, or look on potential hardship as entirely bad.

Listen to what Robert E. Coleman wrote: "The Church should not fear affliction, though it causes anguish and even death. Suffering may be necessary to convince us that we do not live by bread alone. When received as an expression of God's trust, our suffering can be a means of helping us comprehend more of the love of Christ, 'who suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps' (1 Peter 2:21)."

Without hardship, probably few of us would learn much about the deeper life of grace. We all know this is true in our own lives, don't we? When we go through difficult times, it draws us closer to the Lord.

Think about your own life. When have you grown the most spiritually? Probably during your hardest seasons.

So maybe—just maybe—God has more difficult times ahead for the Church in America in order to draw her closer to Him and purify her for greater works as we anticipate the return, someday, of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In addition to persecution and suffering drawing the non-believer and us closer to the Lord, it helps to keep in mind that we are in a spiritual battle.

The Church doesn't talk about this as much as it used to. Remember the old hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers"? But just because we don't talk about it doesn't mean the battle isn't being waged.

Satan hates us. This is a spiritual battle first and foremost.

Ephesians 6:12 says: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

This battle is greater than any other battle on earth. And unlike any earthly war, it's a battle not just for freedom on earth but freedom from Hell and Satan for eternity.

Jesus gave us a profound picture of this in John 12:24-25:

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

Friends, this is the paradox of the Kingdom. Death produces life. Sacrifice produces fruit. Suffering produces glory.

Now, let me be completely honest with you. I write all this fully aware that I have never suffered on the scale that many are suffering today.

I haven't been imprisoned for my faith. I haven't watched my church building burned down. I haven't lost family members to martyrdom. I haven't been beaten for preaching the Gospel.

I pray that when suffering comes in my life—and Jesus promised it will—I will be reminded of all of God's promises that He will be with me and will give me the strength to endure.

I share all this with the belief that we, as a Church, need to be mindful of those who suffer. We need to:

Pray for them. Consistently, fervently, specifically. Pray for Pastor Son Hyun-bo in South Korea. Pray for the underground church in China. Pray for believers in North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria. Pray by name when you can.

Do all we can to help them. Support organizations like Voice of the Martyrs. Write letters to imprisoned believers. Advocate for religious freedom. Give financially to help persecuted Christians.

Be prepared for suffering ourselves. As much as we can be. Because if persecution comes to America—and increasingly, it seems it might—will we be ready? Will we stand firm? Or will we compromise?

And here's the promise we hold onto. Romans 5:3-5 tells us:

"Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Suffering isn't wasted. It produces something beautiful in us. It creates perseverance—the ability to keep going when everything in us wants to quit. It builds character—the depth of soul that only comes through fire. And it births hope—a confident expectation that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He'll do.

Friends, this life is so short compared to eternity!

If we are asked to suffer so that Christ will be glorified and so that other people will not suffer for eternity in Hell, shouldn't we be willing to obey?

Think about it: What's 20, 40, 60, even 80 years of difficulty compared to eternity? What's losing everything on earth compared to gaining everything in Heaven?

This isn't just theological theory. Right now, there are believers around the world making this calculation and choosing Christ. Choosing to risk everything. Choosing to lose everything. And they're doing it joyfully because they know the math works out—eternity with Jesus is worth any temporary suffering.

So here's my question for you today: Are you willing?

Are you willing to suffer if God calls you to it? Are you willing to sacrifice comfort, reputation, safety, even life itself for the sake of the Gospel?

I'm not asking if you think you could do it. I'm asking if you're willing.

Because willingness is what God is looking for. He'll provide the strength when the moment comes. But we have to be willing.

So what do we do with all this?

First, examine your heart. Are you living a safe Christianity or a sacrificial one? Are you protecting your comfort or pursuing God's glory?

Second, learn from the persecuted church. Read their stories. Study their faith. Let their courage inspire yours.

Third, pray for a willing heart. Pray the prayer: "Lord, I'm willing to be made willing."

Fourth, start small. Begin sharing your faith more boldly. Stand up for truth even when it's uncomfortable. Practice sacrificial living in small ways so you'll be ready for big moments.

Fifth, keep the eternal perspective. When life gets hard, when following Jesus costs you something, remember: this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Friends, I don't know what God has in store for America, for South Korea, for any of us individually. I don't know if we'll face the kind of persecution our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world face.

But I do know this: God is worthy. He's worthy of our lives. He's worthy of our suffering. He's worthy of everything we have and everything we are.

Heavenly Father, help Your Church be willing to give it all. May we be willing to be that seed that falls to the ground and dies—that's when we see the harvest. That's when multiplication happens. That's when the Kingdom advances. May we be a Church that doesn't shrink back from suffering but embraces it as a gift—a terrible, painful, precious gift that allows us to participate in Your sufferings Lord Jesus Christ and see Your glory revealed through our weakness. In Your name, Lord Jesus, amen. 

Thank you for joining me in this difficult but necessary conversation today. I pray it has challenged you, encouraged you, and prepared you for whatever God has ahead.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, remember those who are suffering, and hold loosely to this life—because eternity is coming, and Jesus is worth it all.

Episode Description:

Why does God allow His people to suffer? If we follow Christ, the Bible promises persecution—but understanding the "why" changes everything. Discover how suffering displays God's love most profoundly, how persecution actually causes the church to grow ("the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church"), and why America's potential hardships might be exactly what the Church needs to draw closer to God. This vulnerable, honest conversation explores what it means to be willing to suffer for Christ, how to support the persecuted church, and why this short life of potential suffering is worth it for eternity. Are you willing to be that seed that falls to the ground and dies so others might live?

Listen to this on my podcast at Spotify podcast