Look what happened in the USSR. Decades of unbelievable persecution, and now they have more spiritual freedom and growth occurring that we’re permitted and see.
You might want to check into the rise of the church-state connection in Russia between the Orthodox and the State. Evangelicals, especially Baptists, have been running into a lot of problems. However, the good side is even with the state persecution Evangelicals are growing in number.
FWIW, I think we are entering into another dark period for the world with the rise of ruling oligarchies and decreasing freedom for individuals.
I wish I could agree more, but while there is more freedom than than in the Cold War, but with the Russian Orthodox, being largely institutionalized as Rome, and having State sanction, evangelical churches are once again being persecuted.
See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2958299/posts and links in 1st post.