Oh I agree. Picketing would be just the "kindling" stages of persecution. I wholly believe we're in the period of immense grace as talked about by mystics. God is setting all the issues on the table, clear as can be, and letting our public representatives and private citizens around the world determine what path they will choose. There's very little ambiguity these days with the issues. Those who choose God will be set aside and be persecuted, but will walk like angels among the dead. He's going to need good men and women to rebuild society. He needs good men and women right now to fish for souls and lead them to His mercy. Satan knows this and he will throw every obstacle in our paths imaginable. The media is drawing soul after soul into the clutches of hell -- that's not an exaggeration.
I went through my conversion roughly 10 years ago. I considered talk about "end times" as being shrill and reactionary. I no longer think that to be the case. God is telling the nation with the most free will on earth to choose good or evil. We're the barometer. If we fail, I fear for the future...