“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
As the world is overrun by unbelievers, Christians can expect persecution. However, Jesus tells us not to fear, but rather we should take comfort in knowing that our suffering results from our being called out of this world and into His service. We can also take comfort in knowing that the world hated Jesus first and He is sympathetic to our suffering.
Remembering this can be important when faced with times of great Christian persecution, especially when the Christian is accused as having incurred the wrath of God because of their sin. Remember Job.
This is especially true when false saviors come, particularly the false christ. Many will believe that this is God, including many professing believers of Jesus. As they enjoy prosperity that comes with their allegiance to this false god, they mock those who do not worship this false god and instead accept poverty, persecution, and death.
The current Christian notion that Jesus only wants us to live a comfortable and prosperous life will be very useful for this false christ regime.
Therefore, let us remember what Jesus and the apostles said about Christian suffering. Especially as it pertains to the suffering that results from remaining faithful to our Lord, Jesus within an ungodly world that turns on Him, embraces falsehoods, and eventually welcomes and worships a false god.
Below are some suggested scriptures for reading that can help the believer understand that suffering can result from following Jesus, and this does not always happen because the believer has sinned. However, it can be. Even so, for the faithful Christian, this suffering is not wrath but chastisement. Chastisement can feel like suffering; however, if chastisement is the cause for suffering, the Christian can rejoice in knowing that God continues to deal with him as His son.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Note: This scripture list is a work in progress that will be updated as These Things Saith He is completed.
- John 15
- Mark 13
- Philippians 1
- Acts 5
- Hebrews 12
- Matthew 5
- Mark 10
- 2 Corinthians 12
- Job
- Revelation 18
- Revelation 16
PREVIOUS CHAPTER: These Things Saith He – Becoming Smyrna
All Current “These Things Saith He” Drafts
The above is the draft version of a chapter to a book I plan to write and publish in a manner that is free of charge to the public.
I wrote in These Things Saith He: Contents that I will publish the drafts here first and offer opportunity for others to share their thoughts before the final work is completed.
I’m open to and greatly value the insight, experiences, and thoughts of my Christian brethren because we are a body knit together in Christ that is meant to work together without over reliance on our leaders. I am not your leader, but I do try to be faithful to what I have received to the best of my ability, and I look to Jesus for gracious judgment of my service and the service of all who truly love Him.
Jesus Alone 