What does the Bible say about persecution? In Matthew 24:9-10, Jesus said, then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for My Name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Before Jesus’ return persecution will come. It won’t be long, and in some places, it’s already happening, that born-again Christians, who walk after the Spirit, will be persecuted. Why will Christians be persecuted? True Christians will be persecuted for the Name of Jesus.
Why Christians will be persecuted?
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for My Name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another (Matthew 24:9-10)
The devil hates Christians. Therefore, if you are a Christian, the devil hates you, because the devil hates Jesus Christ, the One, Who lives inside of you. Jesus has legally taken the keys of authority from the devil. Therefore the devil is defeated, but the devil still has the ability to attack, steal, kill and destroy because the devil is not cast into the eternal lake of fire.
Until that time, the devil goes around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour. His main goal is to destroy as many people as possible because man is the crown of God’s creation.
The devil shall try to deceive as many Christians as possible, so that he can destroy them.
The devil will do everything in his might, to make sure that they will not walk in obedience to the Word after the Spirit, but that they walk in obedience to him after the flesh in his lies. Because the devil can only attack them in the flesh; soul and body.
Throughout history, the devil’s tactics have been successful and will still be successful, unless the born-again believer stays in Jesus Christ; the Word, and keeps walking after the Spirit (Read also: Is the mission of the devil successful?‘).
If you, as a born-again believer, submit to Jesus Christ and obey Him and keep the commandments of Jesus, and therefore keep the commandments of God, and stay loyal to Him, you will not be deceived. Because as long as you keep walking in the Word and stay in Christ, you will remain in the truth and discern the spirits and the lies of the devil.
However, if you love Jesus Christ and keep His commandments and you stay in Him; the Word, then persecution will come. You will be persecuted and delivered up to be afflicted and maybe even be killed, because of the Name of Jesus.
Are you willing to die for the Name of Jesus?
When you walk according to the Word of God and stay obedient to His commandment, there will be many people, who say that you are over exaggerating, legalistic, or old-fashion. Even so-called believers in church advise true born-again believers, who submit themselves to Jesus Christ and don’t compromise with the world, to become a little bit softer and water down the truth. They’ll tell you, that times have changed and that we don’t live in the middle Ages anymore. But don’t listen to them!
When you hold on to the pure Word of God and don’t change and twist the words of God, so that the words of God will fit into a worldly lifestyle, and when you don’t compromise with the world, you will be persecuted in your own church.
We see this already happening in many churches and this will only become worse, because Jesus says so.
In many parts of the world; Asia, the Middle East, South America, parts of Africa, etc. persecution already takes place. Many believers are persecuted, because of the Name of Jesus Christ.
We see an increase in hatred against Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Christians, who are the sons of God, all over the world. In America, we also see that things have changed and are still changing.
America was once a God-fearing country, but has put water into the wine and compromised with the world, and watered down the gospel. The inhabitants don’t live according to the will of God anymore, because many don’t know His will. They live according to their own will, lusts, and desires of their flesh. and have opened their lives to Eastern religions and philosophies. The law was once based upon the Word of God. But throughout the years, the law has been adjusted and changed to the will, lust, and desires of people.
Are you prepared to be afflicted and persecuted?
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended (Matthew 13:20-21)
The affliction and persecution will be a test people go through and the outcome will show, who is really a follower of Jesus and who is not. The followers of Jesus, accept the Word, know the Word, understand the Word, walk in the Word, and bears the fruit of the Spirit. They are rooted in Jesus Christ; the Word and have laid down the old man, who they were before they became followers of Jesus Christ and put on the new man. They are spirit and walk after the Spirit and are able to bear the affliction and persecution.
But people, who hear and receive the Word, but don’t walk according to the Word, but after the flesh and according to what the world says, will bear the fruit of the flesh, instead of the fruit of the Spirit. They remain carnal and when affliction and persecution come, they will not be able to stand and will fall.
They will deny the Name of Jesus and become obedient and submissive to the world (worldly spirits). They will bow to them instead of Jesus (Read also: ‘Do you confess Jesus before men or deny Jesus?‘)
Stay in Christ, so that you will stand when persecution comes
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me; Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged (John 16:7-11)
Persecution is already taken place in many countries and even in our society. You are allowed to talk about Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, etc. Yes, you may even talk about God. But when you mention the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, people become hostile, and angry and want you to stop talking about Jesus.
People who live without Jesus and don’t know Him, often despise born-again believers and can’t stand their presence. Why? Because the Spirit, Who abides in a born-again believer, reproves the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.
So when you go to a place and meet people, they will be confronted with their sins. That’s the reason, why they can’t stand you, because they can’t stand Jesus Christ.
Not all people will dislike you, there will also be people, who are looking and searching for the truth. When they meet you, they will see something in you, that they want: Jesus.
These people will be drawn to you, because of the love of Jesus Christ. They will repent, be reconciled with God, and change their lives, so that their actions will line up with their repentance, and become followers of Jesus Christ (Read also: ‘The savour of Christ; a sweet savour of life or a savour of death?.
The affliction and persecution will come. It’s all up to you, how you will face persecution and affliction. Therefore build yourself up in the Word of God. Renew your mind and let the Word of God becomes rooted in you. So that, you will bear the fruit of the Spirit. Stay in Him, so that when persecution comes, you will be able to stand.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
