Ezra 4:4-16 The Jews are beginning to rebuild Jerusalem after returning from exile and are being met with great resistance. First, the people of the land simply try to discourage them. Then, they hire counselors against them to "frustrate their purpose" (they sic the lawyers on them! ); finally, they write to the king of Persia, and they cc everybody, the military commanders, the scribes, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the Babylonians, etc., etc. This is like a modern day cancel culture campaign! In the letter they tell the king that the Jews are seditious and rebellious, and they cannot be allowed to rebuild Jerusalem, for then they will be protected against the king. They are seeing everything from a worldly point of view. What other reason, but political power, could the Jews have for rebuilding Jerusalem?

When people do not have God, they cannot understand great devotion to him, so they have to look at things through their own lens. This world is one of power and domination, so everything is fed through that narrative. Christians today are being treated the same. First, the secular try to dissuade us (let's use the Christian baker as an example, they ordered the cake, knowing that it is something that offends his religious sensibilities ); next, they have the lawyers sue; then, when they still have not succeeded, they bring the power of the government in, organizing a vast cultural campaign against people trying to follow their religious beliefs.

This is cyclical. I think right now the Church may still be being destroyed, as Jerusalem was laid waste. Maybe we have not hit bottom yet, but when we do, and start rebuilding, we will be in for more of this. I do feel called to rebuild, though, and I'm encountering some of this resistance (people try to dissuade me) - so maybe we have reached bottom? Who knows? Only God. We just have to keep trying, and God will take care of the rest!