Since the birth of the church there has been persecution; somewhere, somehow, for some reason, someone has been attacking the Bride of Christ.  We all “feel” it to some extent because when “one member suffers they all suffer.”  As we’ll study on Sunday, the persecution was intense in Jerusalem just after the stoning of Stephen. The political and religious climate created a perfect storm.  It’s remarkable the church even exists today.  Gerald Bray wrote, “How likely is it that a discouraged group of disciples, scattered and diminished by the events of the crucifixion, would have rallied behind a man like Peter and established a movement that would quickly gain a large following?”  It’s one of the proofs of her Divine origin and preservation that the Church has existed for almost 2,000 years. Persecution has never been the undoing of the Church, it has almost always been a catalyst for growth.  John Stott wrote, “In 1949 it seemed like a disaster when 637 China Inland Mission missionaries were forced to leave.  Today, the underground church is 30-40x larger than when the missionaries left.”  If persecution doesn’t kill the church, what does? There is more than one answer as Revelation 2,3 reveal.  But, if I had to boil it down I would say the ruin of the church is the pride that follows success. Self-righteousness and arrogance is the undoing of God’s people.  It always has been.   I do not wish for persecution in this country—though it may come whether we want it or not.  If it does come, it will purify and extend the reach of the Kingdom as we wait for the Blessed Hope.   In the meantime, let’s remain humbly His, filled with gratitude and eager to bring glory to God and God alone!