Those Called Christians

I've been called "Lawrence" all my life! That's not my name. My parents called me "Larry". Until I was ten years old I was called "Roger" because there were just two many Larry's. That's when I saw my birth certificate. My middle name was "Rodger".

All my life I've been called a "Herrin". In my research it appears that my family name was at one time "Herring" and before that "Heron".

I've belonged to different organizations. I was a Methodist, then Nazarene and finally a Baptist.

I'm a Theta Tau and was a General Motors Employee. In Little League I was a "Giant" and in Babe Ruth a "Yankee".  Throughout life I've always been called a boy, man and a human.

You see, I have been called by many names some too filthy to print here. I'm proud of some names and ashamed of others. Scripture refers to me as a "sinner" and you care called that too!

Because I had not accepted Jesus my "old person" was called "Lost". When I was born-again the preacher called me Christian! That name has been around for awhile and I'm honored to be called by the same name as first century followers of Christ! That term is now my family name for all those who are called "Christians" are my brothers! The name of this new person is after my Father who was called "Jesus". He is the Christ and our family are Christians:

Acts 10:26 "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

Many names originate as an insult. We don't know who coined the term "Christian", but it may have been in derision of these zealots for Jesus. It does appear that the disciples were called that in reproach (Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16).  Those who ridiculed the disciples called them "Christians". Imagine if you will "You crazy loons believe in this common criminal. You Christians are fanatics!" It is true, the disciples were fans of Christ.

A fanatic is "a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, especially for an extreme religious or political cause." (Dictionary.com). Because the disciples were fanatics are why Christianity grew. If Christians today are fanatics, Christianity will continue to grow! As Christians we must become fanatics because zeal is the vocation of these new people:

Matthew 28:19a "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..."

It takes a fanatic for Christ to obey this command. The disciples, those fanatics called "Christians" did their job assignment. We are called "Christians" because those fanatics were ridiculed for their zealousness! Society still calls us "Christians" in ridicule. That is the hallmark of socialism. That is the brand atheists have assigned to modern Christian fanatics. Just as the disciples proudly accepted the name "Christian", we can do the same. Some are asked one question: "Are you a Christian?" The answer is a matter of life and death. It's called "baptism of blood".

Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Persecution caused Christianity to grow. There is power in Jesus name! Someday when the remaining Christians are asked that question, this is the exchange:

Revelation 20:4b "I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

In the Tribulation Period (seven-year period in the end after the rapture new people who become Christians) Christians will be beheaded for being Christians.  They will suffer death for claiming that name! Scripture teaches that society will slowly accept false teachings. It will become as it was in the days of Noah. This new world will not come suddenly; it will slowly emerge! Like "creeping socialism" we will have "creeping corruption".

As such the One World Government which has a false God as it's head, may now be in the formation period. These early-comers are called anti-Christs. A world-wide empire will be built in preparation for the Anti-Christ. I believe that the end of time government will be socialist for the first 3-1/2 years and communist for the last 3-1/2 years. Both, in my opinion, will be an Islamic Caliphate who's cheerleaders are modern Progressives (read that socialists).

Because this One World government will behead those who are called "Christians" it seems to me that the progenitors of that government are the caliphate builders of today; Muslims. These are not "radical Muslims" but zealots for what Mohammed taught in the Q'uran. They are orthodox Muslims, and are the only religious group who beheads today. These terrorists are the fathers of those who will behead our descendants in times to come!

In the middle east, indeed in apostolic times, Christians were first called Nazarenes:

Matthew 2:23 "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."
Acts 24:5 "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:"

Today most Christians in the middle east are called "Nazarenes" mostly in derision. What's more, the purveyors of terror mark the homes of Nazarenes who will be killed by their "N" pronounced "noon" and is the first letter of the name of Christians in the middle east called "Nasrani". It is shown in Figure #1.  It is with great pride that a Christian have their home marked with this "N" for they will soon be baptized of blood. They endure persecution for righteousness sake!

At the Columbine High School massacre young Cassie René Bernall was asked by Eric Harris "Do you believe in God?" She stood firm and was shot for one thing: because she was called a Christian. Standing up for Christ even under the threat of death is "baptism of blood". They become "martyrs"; witnesses for Christ.

Figure #1: Nasrani

There is power in Jesus name and those who believe in that name are called Christians! Having this symbol applied to your home is the ultimate in faith. Those whose homes are marked with this "N" and are destined for death, to die for Christ's name. It is a privilege to be called Christian!

Never take that name lightly and live like you are one for whom you're called! Based on your life, would your home be marked with this symbol? If not, then does "Christian" apply to what you claim to be?  Those who claim to be Christians yet are not righteous would never be marked to die for "righteousness sake". False Christians are anti-Christs. To be called Christian is an honor, but to be a Christian is grace!