When the Gospel is Called a Crime
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer." Revelation 2:10
When Jesus dictated his letter to John for the church in Smyrna he started with a powerful declaration about himself.
"These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again."
I am sure the church in Smyrna read and reread these words many times as they suffered through persecution. It was a great comfort to them then, and to us now, to know that Jesus also suffered greatly and, through his suffering, He became victorious, overcoming death the great enemy of all people everywhere.
The persecution of God's people has a long history. Jesus once asked: "Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?" (Acts 7:52).
Disciple-makers carry a message of love and hope and peace in a world where people have no idea how much they are loved by Jesus who has already died for them. People need such a message when they are without hope and where peace is often only a dream. It is very strange that people who carry such a positive message would be persecuted for a good news message like the Gospel. Nevertheless, persecution of Jesus followers continues to this day. Many stories could be told but today we mention Pastor Jose Thomas who is a pastor with Hope India Mission which was founded by Elavatta Abraham, F4L National Director in India.
"On the morning of Sunday, February 22, 2026, while the Sunday worship service was progressing, the Uttar Pradesh police raided Pastor Jose's church. Acting entirely on an unverified complaint of "forced conversion" filed by the district coordinator of the Bajrang Dal (a militant group in North India), the police disrupted the sacred service. Without investigating the facts, authorities searched every corner of the church, causing great distress. Women, children, and Pastor Jose's own young daughter watched in shock and tears as the police seized everything in the church to use as "evidence" before taking Pastor Jose into custody."
Pastor Jose, his family, and his church are suffering through a time of persecution. He is representative of 365 million Jesus followers in our world who are currently experiencing high levels of persecution. Billions more live in countries where there are restrictions to exercising faith in Jesus openly.
Persecution brings into focus what it means to be a Jesus follower. The mandate to go and make disciples is undertaken with the full knowledge that there will be opposition and persecution. Persecution uniquely brings eternity into focus. The letter to the church in Smyrna concludes with the assurance that those who are victorious in the face of persecution will have no fear of the second death.
