So, what is the Underground and what are cell groups ? The concept goes back as long as there have been governments. An underground movement is simply a movement that is hidden from view, usually due to persecution, either for political or religious reasons. In our modern age there have been, and still exist, many such movements. The early church was driven underground by Roman persecution late in the first century. During WWII, both political and religious undergrounds developed under Nazi persecution. It is this famous underground movement that helped win the war and serves as a pattern for many subsequent groups.
Cell Groups are an integral part of the organization within an effective underground. These are small, tight knit groups that meet for information and mutual support. Generally the cell group is self contained. In this way if a cell is compromised through infiltration, capture, etc. , it will have little effect on the movement as a whole. Historically, each member of a cell had contact with one other cell, usually one they had founded. This formed an intricate network of communication between cells. In this way information could pass quickly and secretly through the members of the movement and at the same time damage could be minimized in the event a cell was compromised.
All this may seem a bit paranoid but paranoia is unfounded suspicion. Undergrounds, both political and religious, exist today in nations around the world. They exist out of dire necessity. Christians are being imprisoned and even killed for their faith in many areas of the world. It is still against the law to posess or even read the Scriptures in China. It is against the law to pray or display religious emblems in many Arab Nations.
We are lucky, those of us who live in the west, to enjoy political and religious freedom. But that freedom is not absolute. It can be taken away as quickly as Hitler rose to power in Germany or as quickly as the Soviet Union collapsed into warring states. Political climates change quickly and often violently with little warning.
We have the opportunity now to prepare while we still have the freedom to act. As Christians we know that the next millennium will not bring a golden New Age. We know that the future holds a period of Tribulation like the world has never seen. There will be an Antichrist, a Beast, a False Prophet, a Mark, and Christians will die.
This may come early in the next century, as many believe, or it may not be in our lifetime. But it will come, and we are told in the Scriptures to prepare. When no one can buy or sell without the Mark of the Beast, and those who refuse the Mark are put to death, the only hope and refuge for the Body of Christ, the Church, will be in a strong underground network of believers.
So, talk to your friends; form your own cell groups; then have members of your group form other groups. If the end comes quickly, as many believe, at least a remnant will be prepared. If the Lord tarries another hundred years, then a strong multigenerational underground will exist to shelter believers through the Tribulation and allow them to Stand in the Day of the Lord.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of GOD, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13