How can we get ready for the persecution? First we need to feed on the word of God,
digest it, make it a part of our being. This will mean disciplined Bible study each day
as we not only memorize long passages of scripture, but put the principles to work in
our lives.

Next we need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not just the Jesus
of yesterday, the Jesus of History, but the life-changing Jesus of today who is still
alive and sitting at the right hand of God.

We must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is no optional command of the Bible,
it is absolutely necessary. Those earthly disciples could never have stood up under
the persecution of the Jews and Romans had they not waited for Pentecost. Each
of us needs our own personal Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We will
never be able to stand in the tribulation without it.

In the coming persecution we must be ready to help each other and encourage
each other. But we must not wait until the tribulation comes before starting.
The fruit of the Spirit should be the dominant force of every Christian’s life.

Many are fearful of the coming tribulation, they want to run. I, too, am a little bit
afraid when I think that after all my eighty years, including the horrible nazi
concentration camp, that I might have to go through the tribulation also. But then
I read the Bible and I am glad.

When I am weak, then I shall be strong, the Bible says. Betsy and I were prisoners
for the Lord; we were so weak, but we got power because the Holy Spirit was on us.
That mighty inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit helped us through. No, you will
not be strong in yourself when the tribulation comes. Rather, you will be strong in
the power of Him who will not forsake you. For seventy-six years I have known the
Lord Jesus and not once has He ever left me, or let me down. Though He slay me,
yet will I trust Him, for I know that to all who overcome, He shall give the crown of life.
Hallelujah!