I woke this morning hearing 1 Peter 4:4. I did not turn to the Scripture immediately, and later began watching a video I was led to by the Spirit. While watching, I opened my Bible to the above Scripture reference, “”In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values.“

In connection with the excerpt of Evangelist Lester Sumrall below, I believe the Lord is beginning to prepare His Church for persecution. What’s even wilder is that much of the persecution will be from her ‘own members’.

I’ve spoken about this a few years back, though this is one reason of which I believe the Lord is returning for a remnant. Not all in the Church Body will be the Bride. This in essence, speaks to the parable of the 10 Virgins in a sense, 5 wise and 5 foolish. There are many in the Body who are not actually conformed to the entire Gospel. When persecution becomes more prevalent this is when we will see an even greater falling away. Within the Body, there are persecutors and unbelievers of the power of the Gospel, and there are also persecutors because they DO ‘believe’ but are not operating in the same power because they did not go through process. These are the foolish virgins, they have not been through the crushing to produce oil, and they say “I want some of yours, give it to me!” and so covetousness ensues them. Some can not receive you, perhaps jealousy, fear, etc. though none the less living a life in the full resurrection power of the Gospel will cause others to behave in such a way (as written of in 1 Peter 4:4 using other adjectives from different versions) that you will be judged, criticized, maligned, spoken evil about, slandered, abused, vilified, made fun of and ridiculed but the Lord will have sent you. Though pressed, the persecuted remember all the evil can not compare to His resurrection Life; because divine union has afforded them their delight in suffering with The Christ.

Your “own” will reject you. Yet when we look at the life of Jesus no less did He endure, His creation despised and rejected Him, His own hated Him too.
Therefore, the most wise preparation we have is this; allow yourself to be buried with Christ that you may rise with Him.
To the victorious Love and forgiveness will be their banner.
Hallelujah!
‭‭

”But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”“
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬