Oppression as Fruit

 

 It could be the case that some ecological disaster, plague, or war decimates the majority of the global population in the near future. This does not mean that the world is coming to an end but that the fruit of sin is being reaped. This sort of suffering is not punishment from God but the consequences of not living as truly human. Mankind was designed to love and to be loved and anything else will only lead to suffering. When you plant carrot seeds, carrots will grow. 

The world could fall under the oppression of Islam, of Chinese communism, or global technocratic socialism. But regardless of the suffering that follows the Church will never cease to be. The Church does not need comfort and ease, it does not need technology and it does not need the support of any government agency. The Church will continue to be until and throughout the kingship of Jesus Christ is manifested across all of creation.