Persecution against Church of God Christians in Uganda

Uganda (Mark Dingemanse)

There are some in Uganda that have expressed interest in the Continuing Church of God, but are not yet actually part of us. Kenya-based Pastor Evans Ochieng was born in Uganda and was able to meet with a couple of them. Several hours ago, I received the following from him in an email:

I went to meet two brethren from Uganda who met me at border yesterday till today early. There is a sad news from them that I would like the church to offer prayer to this our brethren. They have a great war with some denominations that surrounding them. These denominations are saying that they are devil worshipers because they are preaching that people are not going in heaven. That Christ is coming to rule on earth. This is a big problem which facing these our brethren. Some of people have attacked them and are ready to accuse them because of what they preach. But it is good that, they insisted that they must preach the truth and they cannot change whatsoever. Even some of people who had joined went back to follow men instead of following God. Now they told me that even though the situation is tough, They are going to arrange how I am going to meet those people on the ground. They told me that I should wait first and give them time to see how they are going to solve that problem We took a lot of time when talking, answering questions and talking about kingdom of God. I urged them not to give up because God has chosen them to reach in the kingdom of God. When I saw how they were brave and strong, I was very happy and pray for them. please pray for the gospel in Uganda to stand.

Evans

Notice that Christians are being persecuted an being devil worshipers for teaching what early Christians taught about heaven (see also Did Early Christians Teach They Were Going to Heaven?). This email reminded me that in ancient Rome the pagans called the Christians ‘atheists’ because they would not worship the various Roman gods and goddesses. Real Christians have long been subject to persecution, as sometimes have nominal ones.

Continuing Church of God Pastor Evans Ochieng wanted me to make a prayer request for those in Uganda, so I am repeating that prayer request here.

Many do not wish to hear that Jesus is going to come to reign on the earth (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

We all need to realize that because those who support the proclamation of Christ’s gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14), that we in the Continuing Church of God are subject to persecution and more persecution will come per Daniel 7:25a, Daniel 11:30-35, and Revelation 12:13-16. Christians have been persecuted for this in the past and will be again (see also Persecutions by Church and State).

Even those Christians who do properly support the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom will be subject to persecution at a later time per Revelation 12:17 and Daniel 7:25b. Additionally, Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught:

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. (John 15:20-21)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12).

Persecution will get worse in time, but we should pray for brethren (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2) in distress as well as pray, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10, KJV).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel? Who is preaching the gospel? Here is a version in Korean 복음이란 무엇인가?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Did Early Christians Teach They Were Going to Heaven? What do the Bible and scholars teach? What about ‘near-death experiences’? Here is a link to a related sermon: Heaven and Christianity.
What Is the Place that Jesus Is Preparing? Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote this and answered whether the saints go to heaven upon death.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.