Are home Bible studies slowly being made illegal in many areas of the United States? Unfortunately, the headline above is not a joke. It is actually happening in many areas of the country. Many of you who are reading this have already seen some of the headlines. It just seems so bizarre that authorities are spending their time and resources going after home Bible studies when there are so many other problems out there right now. But it is happening.
Ever since the United States was created, people have gathered in their homes to study the Bible and worship God together. There has never been a time when such meetings in homes have been against the law.
Until now.
For example, it is being reported that a home Bible study group in Rancho Cucamonga, California must have a “Conditional Use Permit” by Good Friday, April 2nd, in order to continue gathering.
This is for a Friday Bible study that only has an average of 15 people attend.
Do the authorities there really need to spend time, money and resources to stop a 15 person Bible study?
No wonder this nation is spinning wildly out of control.
But sadly there are more examples of this phenomenon.
One town in Arizona has actually banned absolutely all church meetings in private homes.
Seriously.
The pastor of the Oasis of Truth Church received a cease and desist letter ordering him to terminate all religious meetings in his home, regardless of their size, nature, or frequency.
So how many members does this horribly threatening church have?
7 members.
But apparently the town of Gilbert, Arizona is prepared to go all out to keep these 7 adults and their children from having Bible studies in their homes.
What in the world has happened to the United States of America?
The truth is that we need to be able to meet in our homes. The home church movement in America is growing, because most of the “establishment churches” have sold out and have abandoned the gospel long ago.
But in the new America the churches that sell out and conform to worldly standards are the ones that get approval from the establishment.
For example, many national leaders are absolutely thrilled that the Episcopal Church has confirmed the election of an Annapolis, Maryland priest as the first openly lesbian bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
But churches and Christian organizations that try to live according to God’s standards increasingly find themselves being persecuted.
In fact, a new bill before Congress would prohibit Christian adoption agencies from refusing to adopt to gay and lesbian couples.
So would that cause a large number of Christian adoption agencies to shut down?
Of course.
But they don’t care.
The truth is that America is increasingly becoming a hostile place for Christians.
But America is not alone.
The world is becoming an increasingly hostile place for Christians, but this is exactly what Yahshua (Jesus) told us would happen in the last days.
Persecution of Christians is only going to get worse from here on out, so you better buckle up and get ready.
This is going to be quite a ride.