“Christian Persecution” Author and Writer Ronald Nelson

 BIBLE MEDITATION:

 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

ENCOURAGING WORD:

Key Bible verses regarding Christian persecution highlight that believers "will" face opposition but are blessed, promised the kingdom of heaven, and called to respond with love. A central verse is what we read in the Bible meditation; 2 Timothy 3:12; "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution". 

Here are a couple Bible verses that serve as encouragement to remain faithful, endure trials, and uphold Christian principles despite external opposition. 

Matthew 5:10-12; "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake"

Jesus' list of people who are "blessed," which we know as the Beatitudes, continues to grow. The word used for "blessed" can sometimes mean "happy." However, in this context, mere feeling is not the point. In fact, some people Jesus mentioned may feel deep unhappiness due to their circumstances.

Matthew 5:1–9; “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying; Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Despite hard situations, they are blessed: they are doing what is right and will experience eternal good in the kingdom of heaven. Now Jesus says those persecuted for the sake of righteousness are blessed, and part of the kingdom of heaven. His early preaching ministry has focused entirely on this kingdom. Both Christ and John the Baptist have called the Jewish people to repent of sin, to be ready for the kingdom of heaven

Matthew 3:1–2; “ In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Matthew 4:17; “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

John made it clear that nobody would be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven simply because they were Jewish. Bearing fruit, being used by God for good, being faithful to God in your choices: these have been described as the signs of those who would enter the kingdom that Messiah would bring to earth. The implication here is that those being persecuted have some choice in the matter. In other words, they did not choose to avoid doing what is right, in order to avoid being harassed or harmed. They made a conscious choice to honor God, and to be faithful to Him, despite persecution from those who are unrighteous.

This is part of Jesus' explanation of the Beatitudes: a series of statements about those who are "blessed," as proven by certain attitudes or actions. In the following verse, Jesus mentions those who endured persecution for the sake of righteousness; Matthew 5:10; “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

The central issue in true Christian "persecution" is of course, Jesus Christ. Merely being harassed or treated unfairly isn't necessarily persecution, especially if it's in response to our own wrongdoing. 1 Peter 4:15; “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.” What Jesus means is that one proof of being "blessed" is willingness to endure unfair treatment on account of faithfully following Him.

1 Peter 4:12–14; “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.’

Those in opposition to Jesus might insult His followers, abuse them, and falsely accuse them of doing terrible things. At the time Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount, this hasn't yet happened to those who follow Him. However, this blessing serves as an early warning that such abuse is coming.

In the following verses, Jesus will continue to explain why those who suffer for being connected to Him are blessed.

John 16:1–4; “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. “And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.”

When it says the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing it for their god, that is referring to the religion of Islam. The god that they serve is Satan and yes, Allah says to kill infidels over 100 times in the Koran. They kill Christians in the name of Allah. If you are not of their religion, then you are an infidel. Everything the Bible teaches is absolutely true. Ignoring the truth will lead to horrific consequences. Islam is not a religion of peace. It is a religion of hatred. Even if they were to eliminate all religions but Islam, then they would start to kill each other until there would be no life on earth. That is Satan s ultimate goal.

Jesus has declared that those who were treated badly on His account are "blessed"

Matthew 5:11; “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” 

Abuses they could expect were insults, persecution, and false accusations about doing terrible things. The context of these attacks is when people are truly following the teachings of God—the world hates them specifically because they emulate Jesus. Those that oppose Jesus for the most part, don’t even know why they appose Him. They just feel a hatred toward Jesus and all those that follow Him, because they indwell Satan and his demons. They are demonic hybrids just as in the days of Noah. All but Noah and his family perished in the world wide flood, because they had been the result of what the Bible tells us, as we read in the following Bible verse.

Genesis 6:2; “that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.”

This is referring to the fallen angels that inter-mingled with daughters of men and the outcome was demonic hybrids or more commonly known as Nephilim. Jesus said that it would be like the days of Noah, just before He returned to judge the world once again. We are there, and the reason that we are seeing so much evil is because millions today are demonic hybrids. They don’t even know it because it is their nature that they inherited from Satan. This may all sound pretty far out, but it is what is happening. Todays churches won’t touch this teaching with a 100 foot pole.

Actually, here is why they don’t teach it, 2 Corinthians 4:4; “whose minds the god of this age (Satan) has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Those that are not born again are not indwelled by the Holy Spirit; therefore, they are not able to understand the truth. Yes, Lutherans and Catholics fall into this category. If you follow one of these sects of Christianity, you will deny this because you fall into this category. The evil that we are witnessing is not going to get batter as the Lutherans teach. 

Jesus said, Matthew 24:22; tells us this, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”

The world is going to get darker and darker until Jesus returns. So, if you are waiting for the Utopia that the denominational churches are waiting for, its not going to happen. Its time to wake up and smell the Roses, or should I say smell the truth.

The following Bible verse explains in part why they deny the truth. John 15:21; “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” Now Jesus explains why willingness to be connected to Him despite harsh treatment is a blessing. Those who do so will receive great rewards in heaven. Jesus does not hold this out as a consolation prize for a difficult life. He tells His disciples to rejoice and be glad about the opportunity to be treated awfully for His sake. The rewards waiting in heaven because of this honor;

Acts 5:41; “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” 

1 Peter 4:12–13; “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

These verses make the experience itself a victory worth celebrating. A while later Jesus will predict intense hatred levied against Christians as we read in John 16:1–4; above.

Attacks on God's people are not new. God sent many prophets to Israel to deliver messages to the people. Many of those prophets were persecuted and even put to death for representing God. Now many of Jesus' disciples will be persecuted for representing Him to the world, which will earn them great rewards in heaven, as well.

2 Corinthians 4:9; "persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed".

This passage describes exactly how fragile Paul and his co-workers really are. They carry the most valuable treasure in the universe: the knowledge of access to God's glory through faith in Christ. And yet, they carry it in the fragile containers of their own lives. This is not an accident, by any means. This is a deliberate choice by God to prove the inherent power of the truth. God allows them to suffer along the way, but he keeps them from ever fully being destroyed. Now Paul adds that he and his co-workers are persecuted. In other words, they are targeted by the enemies of Christ to be mistreated. This has included the Jewish religious leaders, pagan mobs, and Roman authorities. However, Paul insists, that even in their most severe persecution, God has never forsaken them. God has always been with them through the worst, keeping them from being crushed or totally despairing. Paul adds that they have even been struck down under persecution. Paul had on at least one occasion been left for dead. He escaped, though;

Acts 14:19–20; “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.  However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”  

God had not yet allowed this servant of His to be destroyed; his work was not done. So Paul continues the mission to carry the treasure of the gospel to all who will receive it, as the following verses make clear.

Matthew 5:44; "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you".

Instead of only acting in love towards neighbors, Jesus tells His disciples to love their enemies and even to pray for those who persecute them. Though few people live this out, in a meaningful way, the idea is deeply ingrained in western culture. Many modern people have heard this teaching, or variations on it, all our lives. That makes it easy to forget how radical the claim was, especially for those who live with daily threats from dire enemies, as did the first-century Israelites.

Matthew 10:22; "And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved".

Now Jesus says it even more bluntly: because of their association with Christ, these men will experience widespread, open hatred. This does not mean the apostles—or Christians—will be hated by literally every single non-believing person. Some would come to faith in Jesus in response to the gospel of His kingdom. Most, though, would not. It does mean that all kinds of people would hate the apostles: some for the content of their teaching about Jesus and others for the trouble that teaching stirred up wherever the apostles went.

Romans 12:14; "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse". 

Here, Paul begins a new set of commands detailing what life in Christ on this side of eternity is supposed to look like. Taken together, it paints a picture of the Christian life. Followers of Jesus should be seen as those who love and take care of each other, in powerful and self-sacrificing ways. In as much as we are hated by unbelievers, what really hurts me is when Christians show hatred toward other Christians. I see it every day. Sometimes Christians are the worst perpetrators of persecution toward other Christians. When I see this, I have to believe that those who are guilty of this are Christian in name only. If you truly love Jesus then you cannot hate other parts of the Christian Body of true believers. This new command, however, can also be applied to how Christians interact with unbelievers. Paul echoes the direct teaching of Jesus: Bless those who persecute you and don't curse them. It's possible that Paul is referring to persecution for the sake of Christ, but the same principle applies to any situation where we are treated badly. The normal human instinct, of course, is to do the opposite. We feel the natural desire to curse those who hurt us and to avoid doing good for them at all costs. Christians who follow Paul's teaching here, instead, will stand out in almost every culture. They will also be imitating both Jesus' words and His example, as He carried this principle even to the extent of praying for the well-being of His enemies,

Luke 23:34; “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

While it's true that this makes a powerful statement to unbelievers, Christians can also practice this with each other. Sometimes other Christians don't follow Paul's teachings. We can become hurtful to each other in big and small ways. Nothing communicates sincere love back to a brother or sister who is being hurtful than doing good for them and refusing to strike back at them.

Here is a statistic that really has very little to do with this blog, but not-the-less, it puts things into perspective. America is considered the 5^th most violent country in the world. Here is what is interesting. If you take the top five cities in America that are dangerous, and remove them from this statistic, America would fall to 183rd. worst country. The five states that fall in this catalogue just happen to be blue states. In other words, they are democratic states. This is not a coincidence; this is the agenda of the democratic party. If you support the democratic party, then you are just as evil as those that perpetrate these actions. If you decide to continue to support the democratic party, relax, you will eventually get what you deserve. Call me whatever you may, but facts are facts and they speak for themselves. If we were to get rid of these 5 demonic states, America would be a very safe country to live in. There is a lot more that I could share regarding this evil, but I think you get the message and if it doesn’t wake you up, then be prepared to suffer the consequence that this will lead to.

Now, let me get back into my message today. We’ve read on the surface why Christians are being persecuted, but the issue goes a lot deeper than you can imagine. First of all, what I am going to teach you is not taught nor supported by Catholicism or Lutheranism or any other mainline denomination. Its time to take off the gloves and know the truth for those of you that haven’t heard the truth. Let me start out by sharing a Bible verse that will totally support what I am going to say.

Matthew 23:39; “for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’’ 

This is the statement that Jesus said just before He would be put to death by the Jews. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" is a messianic declaration from Psalm 118:26, quoted by Jesus in Matthew 23:39  as a condition for his return. It signifies a future time when Israel will accept Jesus as their Messiah, marking his ultimate return, which will happen during the second half of the tribulation. This is why the Tribulation has to take place. God has to bring the Jews to their knees in repentance, and that will happen when the Jews are at the end of their rope to the point where they have to turn to Jesus Christ for protection. Now, let me explain why the Jews have been mercifully persecuted all these years. Satan is behind all the persecution toward the Jews and Christians. Why, you may ask? According to the verse in Matthew 23:39, Jesus cannot return until the Jews say, “Blessed is He (Jesus) who comes in the name of the Lord,” Satan and his fallen angels have been doing everything in their power to annihilate the Jewish people. Islam is the main source behind the persecution of the Jews, which actually goes all the way back to Issacc and Ishmail. The Muslims serve Allah, which is Satan. If Satan can annihilate every Jew, then he would thwart the plan of God and His plan of redemption. Satan would win. But, have you noticed that every time the Jews are severely dealt with, God always keeps a remnant, but Satan won’t quit until he is dealt with in the end. Also, have you noticed that Muslims aren’t persecuted, nor are the Hindus or the Buddhists.  See, they are no threat to what Satan is trying to accomplish. If you are a true born-again believer, you will be persecuted, whether physically, emotionally or even Spiritually. God has promised us that we would be persecuted.

John 16:33; “ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

These words come straight from Jesus Christ, Himself. He said it and you can bank on it that it will be done. Personally, I’ve have noticed lately that the persecution of Jews and Christians, has escalated to an all-time high.  Antisemitism is once again rearing its ugly head, especially in our college campuses. I can go as far as to say, Anti Christianism is also escalated in our country just as Jesus prophesied would be the case in the end days, which we are living in. If you deny this truth, all this evil that is coming soon will fall on you like a ton of bricks and there will be nothing that you will be able to do, but suffer! You cab rebuke this truth if you wish, but it’s going to happen just as Bible prophecy decares whether you believe it or not.

Satan is more alive now just as much as her ever was. Here is another verse to share with you. 1 Peter 5:8; “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” If you are a true Christian, then it is you that he is seeking whom he may devour. If you say that you are a Christian and you are not being persecuted in one way or another, then I would re-evaluate your relationship with Jesus.

Bible verses regarding the persecution of both Jews and Christians often focus on themes of endurance, shared suffering for faith, and future vindication. Key passages, such as; 

Matthew 24:9-13; “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”  

Which explicitly predicts that both groups will face intense hatred, imprisonment, and betrayal by family and society for their faith, especially in the end days and it will continue to get worse as we get closer to the soon return of Jesus Chrits. Before someone takes this verse out of context, let me explain something. The tribulation that is mentioned in these verses that we just read, are not referring to the great tribulation which will fall on all unbelievers. Jews and Christians have been through much tribulation all throughout history. The great tribulation will make the persecution of today look like a walk in the park compared to what is coming.

By now, you should have a pretty good understanding about what’s taking place in todays world. The question that you have to ask yourself is this, how is life treating you? I’m not saying that if you aren’t going through trials in your life, that you are not a Christian, but I would certainly take a good look at your relationship with Jesus. Personally, I seem to be going through a lot of hardships and emotional issues. This last year it has been non-stop for me. There is one specific verse in the Bible though, that helps me get through daily struggles. That verse is found in; Romans 8:28; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

This verse assures believers that God orchestrates all circumstances—positive or negative—for the ultimate spiritual good of those who love Him. This is also why we should find joy amongst all the issues that are going on in this world. I definitely struggle with finding joy in this world, however, the joy that we are to feel is the joy of knowing that we are saved and our final designation will be in an environment that we can’t even imagine.

The Promise from God: God causes all things (events, hardships, blessings) to work together for good.

The Audience: This promise is specifically for those who "love God" and are "the called according to His purpose"

Context: It is part of a broader passage discussing the believer's security, hope in suffering, and ultimate conformity to the image of Christ.

Divine Sovereignty: It highlights that God is active in the lives of believers, directing events toward a beneficial, purposeful end. 

I could go on and on with this teaching, but I think you should get the message. If not, its because you most likely do not want to know the truth.

I’ll end with this; Christian persecution refers to the historical and contemporary harassment, imprisonment, torture, or execution of Christians based on their beliefs. Historically, this included severe persecution by the Roman Empire and later, sectarian violence between denominations. Today, intense persecution persists in nations like North Korea, while a "persecution complex" exists regarding perceived oppression in Western contexts. 

Historical Context: Early Christians were targeted by both Jews and Romans for refusing to worship Roman gods, culminating in intense persecution under Diocletian and Galerius.

Contemporary Global Persecution: Open Doors consistently ranks nations like North Korea as top perpetrators of anti-Christian violence, including imprisonment and torture.

Western Perspective: In Western nations, some groups argue that Christian values are increasingly marginalized, sometimes termed a "Christian persecution complex," where social or governmental actions are perceived as oppressive.

Intra-faith Conflict: Throughout history, particularly after the 4th century, Christians have also faced persecution from other Christian groups due to doctrinal differences and schisms. 

Don’t ignore the truth, because if you do, it will jump up and bite you in the butt. There is still time to get right with Jesus, but that door is going to close soon.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Amen!