"Against the church a barrage is set" - victory song from USSR era (Eng. Subs.)

Here in the west Christians have generally experienced little State persecution. And yet the world as a whole more Christians have been killed in the last century than in all the previous centuries combined. In times of persecution the enemy - satan, is usually acting through outside forces. Whereas during times of freedom the enemy is able to apply his destructive forces from within the church itself & this is far more damaging than any form of physical repression. So we believers must remain faithful to God by being vigilant in whatever situation we're living in. Christ's promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church" (Matt 16:18) is fulfilled when we obey Christ & His commandments in both good times & bad.