Persecution??? Division???

[Biff]

Hi, I have a question.

Ever since becoming born again Christians many years ago, my wife and I have had trouble with members of our own family.
The problem began when we had both come out of the catholic religion.  As of late it has ended with our own family members (sons and daughters) disowning us, because we stand for the word of God and will not be moved.
Now it's important that you know that we do not PREACH to these adult children over and over again - instead we have taught them in the way in which they should go, and simply expected them to do so.

The problem is that one of them wilfully turned his back on Jesus 20 years ago and is a practicing homosexual to this day.
The other will have nothing to do witrh us telling them how they should raise their kids, as if we told them how they should maybe twice over the past 15 years.  They think we're sick because we have never compromised our faith or backed down from our stand in the Lord.

The youngest member of the family (now 30), wishes we could all forget our differences and just get along with everyone else concerned, even though we told her a "few" times that she has been raised to know better than to wilfully and knowingly fornicate with men (several) against our wishes, and has ended up with an incurable VD.

Now stop and think about all that I have said.  You can be sure that since our conversion and our witnessing Christ to them, that my wife and I haven't gone out of our way to PREACH to these people all the time - maybe ONCE in two years, to show (when we could take no more) them that what they were doing was a terrible sin (like letting their 14 year old son go on a trip alone and live with his homosexual uncle and his lover for a week) and where we stood with the Lord.  They in turn disowned us!

My question is this --

Is this a sure sign of the end???  Or is it to be expected???  Has this ever happened to you???  Are you and your family members (as stated below) divided because of the Truth?  I may not respond but I will read every answer to this thread.
Thanks again.

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  Luke 12:51-53 

Biff

[Soldier4Christ]

The closer we get to the end times the more people will turn away (fall away as worded in the Bible) from God.

[Shammu]

Luke 17:28-30 "It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. "It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed."

When Jesus Christ returns to this earth to remove His followers, it will be a day like any other day. People will be living as though nothing would ever change. They will be involved in the affairs of life and planning for a long and bright future. These people do not believe in the God of the Bible, although they may believe in a God of their own imagination. They may be religious, and they may be faithful church goers, but they are not followers of Jesus Christ. There is no way to convince them that God is about to bring judgement upon this world because they are wicked, they do not truly believe in Jesus Christ, and they are in love with this world.

They are unwilling to acknowledge that they are wicked. Furthermore, they judge a person to be innocent or guilty according to how they feel about that person. They ignore the law and judge according to their unrighteous desires. They fail to recognize that God is just and righteous, and that His judgements are sure to be also. They will not escape.

Christians who study their Bibles and pay attention to prophecy know that the Lord is coming soon. Furthermore, they are warning others that God is about to bring an end to all things as we know them.

All true Christians do believe that Jesus Christ will someday return to this earth and they look forward to His return, but not all Christians expect Him to return soon. The way things are happening in the world, this may happen sooner then we think.  Many Christians are so in love with the world and are so involved in the affairs of this life that they will be caught by surprise when the Lord returns. At a time when they should be warning unbelievers, of the coming judgements of God, they are enjoying life with the world. They have left their first love.

Resting in the hands, of the Lord.
Bob

[Biff]

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  Luke 12:51-53 

Hi again,

I thought that I would get far more replies than I did.  (Thanks to those of you who did reply.)  Perhaps I'm in the wrong forum???

My questions were simple -

1.   Has anyone here been persecuted for their faith causing their own family members to hate and dis-own them and want nothing to do with them anymore because of their unwavering stand on God's word and the conflict that develops???

2.  Is this type of persecution a sign of the last days or has it been in effect since Jesus said it???

Thank you,

Frank

http://www.intergate.com/~subi/hard2.htm#i

[nChrist]

Hello Biff,

I'm sorry to be so late in replying here. NO, I have not experienced these problems, and I give thanks that I haven't. BUT, I know a lot of people who have experienced problems like you list, and I'm a retired police officer who has seen a lot of grief and misery within families. I am completely SPOILED with a very large family full of strong Christians.

YES, I do think that things like this are possible signs of the end of this age of grace. I don't believe for a minute that your strong stance for Christ had anything to do with causing the problems you speak of. In fact, I would expect your strong stance for Christ to be part of the only solution.

At this point, the only thing I know to tell you is that I will pray for you and your family. I mean that sincerely, and I would suggest that you also pray and ask God for strength and guidance. In my heart, I know that JESUS is going to be at the core of any real answer.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 5:1-2 NASB  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

[Biff]

Thank you for your comments. 

In Christ,
Biff

[Rookieupgrade1]

Prayer is a powerfull tool. It saved my marriage, and my wifes eternal life.

I will be praying for you as well

BIC

Gary