Hate Crimes Law

How does the new hate crimes law target Christians for persecution?

The agenda of those promoting passage of the new hate crimes law is pretty clear... bring an end to free speech. As our government slips steadily toward totalitarianism, people saying things the ruling elite do not agree with can not be tolerated.

Dr. James Dobson has summarized some of the provisions of the new and proposed federal legislation calling them "utter evil." For example, under existing federal law, someone who "induces" a crime can be tried, convicted and sentenced as the principal. He said that leaves open pastors and Christians to be prosecuted should someone who commits a crime claim to have heard them speaking against homosexuality.

More and more we see our government adopting policies that are the same as what we expect from the coming world ruler. Revelation 13:7 says regarding the Antichrist, "It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (NKJ). God is subtly removing his restraining hand on the Evil One to foreshadow what is coming on this world.

None of this should be a surprise to Bible-believing followers of Jesus because He said this would happen before He returns in Luke 21:12: "they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake" (NKJ).

I believe the worst of the persecution will be after the rapture of the church because 2 Thessalonians 2:77 says, "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way" (NKJ). The evil-restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit will be removed when the church is raptured off the planet. Followers of Jesus should be encouraging by this; but as Jesus advised in Luke 21:36, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (NKJ).

With laws like the new hate crime bill, we can't have long to wait. Maranatha!