Christians Are Extremists?

There are two news stories that caught my eye last week. Both of them imply that the world is truly turning upside down. One states that police are being trained to be on guard for Christians who take The Bible literally.

Among those groups, Kluczynski had listed, were those who believe America was founded on godly principles, Christians who take the Bible literally, and “fundamentalists”. Kluczynski did not explain what he meant by “fundamentalists” but from the context it was clear he was referring again to those who took the Bible literally or “too seriously.” - The Blaze

And another story is about how the defense department is treating several conservative Christian groups as dangerous.

As it turns out the headline is true, Christians were labeled as religious extremists in a presentation given over a year ago. But Army officials say that after receiving a single complaint following the presentation, the slide was deleted and it was never shown again. - WOAI 4 News

Both of these stories are slight on their impact of law abiding regular folk, and the second one was even discontinued. However they are indications of a growing trend.

In 2006, as a co-host on "The View", Rosie O'Donnell made a statement that shocked me when I heard it way back then. I thought "how can anyone actually believe that?"

On the September 12 edition, in response to fellow co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s comment that militant Islam is a grave threat, O’Donnell stated that "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America." - NewsBusters

But ever since then I've heard that opinion with growing frequency. So to see these two news stories break in the same week, it definitely makes me recall Rosie's statement.

There are a couple Bible verses that come to mind when I hear statements like this. The foremost is this one:

(John 16:2-3)
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

I've taken that verse out of context for this application, but it does show that people who do not have God in their hearts may act out violently towards those who do. And as we approach the end times, and the devil's influence grows, I'm sure we will see more of it.

The other Bible verse that comes to mind, and in the future you'll see this one referred to often in this blog, is this one:

(2 Timothy 3:1-3)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good

So even though there is something called "tolerance" and "diversity" in society today, tolerance of Christian and Jewish diversity will decrease as we get closer to the end.

But The Lord has given us reason to hope:

(1 Thessalonians 1:10)
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

(1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Please invite Jesus into your heart so you too can be encouraged to endure these times, and be comforted knowing that you will be delivered from the wrath to come.