In what is quickly devolving into a Church vs State showdown between pastor of Grace Community Church, John MacArthur and the state and local governments of Los Angeles, California, it appears that MacArthur has now been threated with the possibility of arrest for continuing to hold worship services against the state and county’s mandate against gatherings.

MacArthur has been under fire from the governments who continue to threaten to shut down his church or take other actions such as shutting off the utilities to his church — which have already happened — and he’s also been under fire from those whom he’s called friends.

John MacArthur recently took a stand against government tyranny when he released a statement declaring that his church would not succumb to the intrusion of government into the right to freely worship unhindered. In the wake of MacArthur’s stand, he has taken a lot of heat from government that has not only threatened to shut off utilities, but has apparently followed through with it.

Now, according to Franklin Graham, he’s being threated with fines and arrest.

“After Pastor John MacArthur announced that his congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, would be assembling in obedience to the Word of God,” Graham writes in a Facebook post, “he received a letter from Los Angeles county government officials threatening repercussions such as fines and even possible arrest.”

He continues,

 But Pastor MacArthur said he isn’t worried about that—he and the church elders voted unanimously that the church will be open this Sunday and every Sunday. He said, “It has never been the prerogative of civil government to order, modify, forbid, or mandate worship.” They will not render to Caesar what is God’s, so they will continue to meet as the church every Sunday. I agree with Pastor MacArthur and appreciate his call for “the church to be the church in this world.” If I were in Southern California this weekend, I would love to attend their service tomorrow—and if you live anywhere in southern California, I urge you to get up tomorrow morning and go! It will be worth the drive. Not only will you hear a great message from the Bible, but this would be taking an important stand for our religious freedom. They have a tent set up and additional seats outside. The service begins at 10:30 AM, and the address is Grace Community Church, 13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352. If you’re like me and live on the other side of the country and can’t join them tomorrow, take a moment to share a word of support with Pastor MacArthur in the comments below.

This is much more than a war on the rights and liberties afforded us by the Constitution — this is now an outright war against God and His people. The Church is being attacked — cloaked in “public safety” attire — but nonetheless, devoured by power-hungry politicians and liberals who would like nothing more than to see her die. But God promises that the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church.