The Crucifixion of the Church    55 

Church's Crucifixion. The phrase  put you out of the synagogues  means 

that during some times of persecution Christians will be put out of churches 

and have to worship God in secret. 

    Many times in the Church's history, Christians have suffered persecution 

and death for the Faith.  Again, in the future, in various places, at various 

times, Christians will be persecuted and martyred for Christ. And many 

individual Christians bear sufferings and carry their crosses every day. In 

this way, the Church shares in the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus, Her 

Savior. 

    But I say more. The Church shall endure a time of suffering which will be 

greater than any previous persecution since the beginning of the Church. 

This persecution of Christians and of the Church will be worldwide. Few 

places of refuge for Christians will be left on the earth. This time is described 

in the book of Daniel and in Revelation and by many of the prophets of the 

Old Testament. Many Saints have also mentioned this time of suffering in 

their writings.

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 It is this time of great suffering which is called The Church's 

Passion and Crucifixion. During those years, the Church will be a living 

image of Christ Jesus on the Cross. 

    In every age, Christians share in Jesus' suffering in various ways. During 

a certain period of time, the Church will share in Jesus' suffering most 

intensely. This time is called the Crucifixion of the Church; it is described in 

detail in the book of Revelation. It occurs during the 25th century  A.D. 

(during the 2430's). An earlier persecution of Christians, which will not be 

worldwide but will be very severe, will occur during the 2030's. This earlier 

persecution resembles and foreshadows the later, worldwide persecution of 

the Church. 

    The events of the Church's Passion and Crucifixion are revealed 

symbolically in the events of Jesus' Passion and Crucifixion. The sufferings 

which the Church must endure are revealed by the sufferings which Jesus 

endured. The servant must be like the Master. 

    Just as Jesus suffered in the hours leading up to the  Crucifixion, so also 

will the Church suffer much in the years leading up to its Crucifixion. A 

period of nearly seven years will contain the greatest sufferings the Church 

will ever endure (during the 2430's). But the last 3  years out of those 

nearly seven years will see the most intense of the sufferings, the worst of the 

worst. 

    The Church must suffer in order to become perfect, to become like Christ 

who suffered. Christ suffered and died because of sin. There will be much 

sin in the years leading up to the Church's great suffering. At that time, the 

world will be ruled by sin. And there will be much serious sin among 

Christians.