While the church is asleep, Christian persecution is exploding around the globe. Even in the western world, freedom for Christians to practice and express their faith is being curtailed as never before. Today even we were shocked when we read about how two Christian hotel owners in the U.K. are being charged with a crime for witnessing to some Muslim guests.
Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang were arrested and charged with using “threatening, abusive or insulting words” that were “religiously aggravated” after a Muslim woman complained to local police in the U.K. that she had been “offended” by their comments.
So what was so offensive?
Apparently the couple believes that Christianity and that Islam is wrong.
It is alleged that they told the woman that Mohammed was a warlord and that traditional Islamic dress for women is a form of bondage. However, the couple is insisting that they did not threaten the woman and that they have every right to explain and defend their own beliefs.
So what will happen to this couple if they are convicted of this hate crime?
Well, they could face a fine of up to £5,000 and they will have a permanent criminal record.
It would be nice if this was just an isolated incident, but the reality is that freedom of religion simply does not exist in the U.K. any longer.
For example, recently we reported on a couple of street preachers in the U.K. that were confronted by police and told that preaching the gospel and passing out tracts is not only offensive but also against the law…..
True Christianity is now considered to be “offensive” in the U.K., and if you seek to promote the Christian faith there you are apparently now in danger of being arrested.
Hopefully the hotel owners will win their case, but there is a bigger issue than that at stake here. The reality is that millions of Christians in the U.K. will hear of this case, and they may become very hesitant to ever speak out about their faith for fear that they could be arrested and hauled into court.
The persecution of Christians is increasing not only in the U.K., but also in places such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and even in the United States. Those of us who study the signs of the last days knew that such times would come, but to see it actually happening can be stunning at times.
The Scriptures tell us that one day there will be no place on earth where it is legal to preach the truth about Christianity.
Are you prepared for that day?
Will you continue to stand for the truth when it may cost you your freedom or even worse?
It is something to think about.
