Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.

 

If you are living for the Lord, preaching the Gospel of Christ, and operating in the Ministry God created you to have, you WILL come under persecution. People will hate you and the world will cast you out. When this happens, know that you are doing something good for the Kingdom of God! Jesus told us this. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. (Luke 6:22)

 

All of Jesus Disciples were persecuted. Most of them were martyred for His Name’s sake. Matthew was killed by a sword wound in Ethiopia. John, the beloved, was boiled in oil in Rome but God miraculously saved him from death. Later he was sentenced to life on the prison island of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation.

 

Jesus’ brother, James, was not one of the Twelve Apostles, but he was the Pastor of the Church in Jerusalem. When he refused to deny his faith in Christ, he was thrown from the top of the Temple which was over a hundred feet high. Somehow, James survived the fall so his enemies beat him to death with a club.

Bartholomew served as a missionary in parts of Asia which is today Turkey. He was whipped to death. Andrew was whipped by seven soldiers after which they used cords to tie him to an X-shaped cross until he died. History records that during his persecution, Andrew said, “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the Body of Christ hanging on it.” He never quit preaching to his enemies who tortured him. He spoke the Name of Jesus for two days until he died.

 

Thomas traveled to India as a missionary. While there, he was stabbed to death with a spear. Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. He was stoned to death and then beheaded. Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified in Rome on an upside-down cross. He didn’t consider himself worthy to die as Jesus did.

 

There are several different accounts pertaining to the death of Thaddeus. Some say he was executed with an axe while others say they used a club. Either way, he was martyred in Syria for his faith in Christ. His body was taken to Rome and his bones remain in St. Peter’s Basilica to this day.

 

The Apostle Paul was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and tortured for his faith in Christ. Tradition has it that he was finally beheaded by Emperor Nero in Rome in AD 67.

 

While all this speaks to the faith of the Disciples of Christ the most important thing is that they loved Jesus so much that they were willing to die for their faith. Never would they renounce their faith in Christ! Never, never, never! Can you say that today?

 

Paul wrote For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His Appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

 

The fact is, we will be persecuted and hated for our faith in Christ. The question is, how will we respond to this treatment? Who among us will stand and who will cave under the pressure? Who will receive the Crown of Righteousness on that Day? Will you?

 

Time is short. God is about to……..….turn the tide

 

Standing strong for Jesus!         Doreen

 

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