Preparation for Persecution

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mat 5:10-12)

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, "Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:20-38)


These two passages are the conclusion of the Beatitudes. However, it is well worth the time to study these portions of Scripture with greater diligence, especially as it concerns certain trends in our political, societal, and religious structures.

It is commonly taught that there are special blessings to be attached to each portion of the Beatitudes, and that is true enough. However, the key to these passages lies in the statements: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."  (Matt 5:10-12). And from Luke 6, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."

It is now apparent that Jesus' topic is the disposition of the church during times of trial, persecution, and suffering. In the book of James we are told that we should not be laying up riches and treasures for ourselves hear on earth, because they are temporary and will eventually pass away. Further, He makes us the promise that if we as Christians suffer and have sorrows here on earth, we will gain peace, joy, laughter, and eternal wealth beyond measure in the Kingdom.

However, Jesus also gives a warning to those who have all of the comforts that this life can afford. There will be a day when they will not avail their owners anything. This is especially addressed to those who deceive people into believing that all is well, as is seen by the last statement Jesus makes comparing to those who were false prophets.

The issue then can be seen that Jesus is truly saying that we are to be even as He was at His trial and crucifixion. We are told in Isaiah 53:7, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Further, He commands us to not judge or condemn, but to rather forgive and pray for those who our persecutors. Again, His own example is our guide for He cried from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

We have seen an increasing opposition to those who desire to claim Jesus Christ as their God and King here in the United States. From private companies being required to pay for abortions via insurance even against their conscience to the recent ban on religious conversations between soldiers with the aim of conversion, even at the instigation of the one seeking additional information, from schools singling out crosses to the legal harassment of businesses and individuals opposing gay marriage, there has a been a steady rise in Anti-Christian sentiment. Further, there are those who such at the Southern Poverty Law Center who declare those with firm Biblical beliefs to be "hate groups". How many times have we Christians heard the educational elite refer to us as 'ignorant', 'stupid', and any number of other derogatory descriptions.

It should be obvious that such attacks are waxing and not on the wane. This is why Jesus told us to rejoice, leap for joy, and be exceeding glad. It is because if we are suffering persecution for His name, then we are in the same conditions as the prophets of old who stood against the tide and prophesied the eminent destruction of their nation. However, we are warning people to turn to Jesus Christ for their salvation, because the time is coming when He will return and judge every nation and all people.

Let us prepare ourselves for the oncoming wave of persecution, for it will intensify from now until the coming of our Lord. Let us show our light by being ever more gracious in the face of persistent hostility, holding no grudges, and helping those who have and maybe will hurt us. This is the command that was given in these passages. My friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us now practice obedience to our Lord's commands while it is easy to do so, rather than build anger and resentment concerning our treatment, and then attempting to follow the order when it is much more difficult.

May God help and keep us all during the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.