Judgment on China?

Religious Freedom is a fundamental right we enjoy in the United States and one of the founding principles, responsible for the many blessings America has seen. Likewise, it is about the power of choice which is the same freedom God gives His creation.

God created us to be free will creatures. We have the choice to love Him or not love Him, though anyone who learns to know Him will want to love Him. As we know, love begets love.

In the past few decades, China had been enjoying a period of religious toleration (though not full freedom). It was a blessing that Christians and others could gather together to worship God. Churches were established and the number of believers grew. However, in recent times, a change has come.

It seems China decided that all religions must submit themselves to the Communist State. So, a law was passed that mandated this. The law was to go into effect this past February 1, 2020. In this law, China claims the right to amend and re-write the materials of each religious faith. This includes a rewriting of the Bible to bring its teachings in line with the government’s demands.

This then becomes religious tyranny and whenever nations or governments try to impose religious tyranny they are found to be fighting against God! The result of this is always judgment. The Bible says, “with the same measure you use, it shall be measured back to you”. (Luke 6:38 NKJV).

Thus, whether it be in the dark ages or even more recent times, authoritarian regimes who impose religious persecution, eventually find themselves in deeper problems than they had before and sometimes these deeper problems brings relief to the persecuted.

The Bible predicts a time is coming when all nations on earth will adopt a tyrannical spirit towards religious freedom. Persecution will then fall on those who are true to God’s Word. Ultimately God’s judgments will also fall on the persecutors of His people, just prior to Christ’s return.

The timing of what is happening in China now compared with the timing of the law for Christianity (and others) to bow to the government, is most interesting. Perhaps end time judgments are closer than we think?

So, what can we learn?

1) Religious Freedom/Power of Choice is a precious gift, cherish it.
2) Religious tyranny will result in God’s judgments (as it has in the past and predicted in the future).
3) What we see in the world today, is a foreshadow of future events.
4) Now is the time to have our own lives right with God and to share with others what a precious friend we have in Jesus. He is the only hope and answer in these difficult times.