·      Persecution Definition-The infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence (Faithful attachment; devotion) to a particular creed or mode of worship. Persecute; Strongs 1377 Greek; to put to flight; aggressively chase; pursue with haste; to take over

Gen 3:15 (God told the serpent) I will put “enmity” Between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Enmity; ayab(ay-baw); Strongs 342 Hebrew; hatred; personal hostility

It is the “fruit of this enmity”, that there is a continual warfare between grace and corruption, in the hearts of God's people. A continual struggle. But no sooner was the wound given, than the remedy was provided and revealed. Christ's sufferings are continued in the sufferings and persecutions of the saints for His name. The devil tempts them, persecutes (chase peruse, take over) and slays them; and “bruises the heel of Christ”, who is afflicted (grievously affected) in our afflictions. He knows our pain. But while the heel is bruised on earth, the Head is in heaven. - MHC

·      Persecution/rejection foretold by Christ: Coming now to New Testament times, persecution was frequently foretold by Christ, as certain to come to those who were His true disciples and followers. He forewarned them again and again that it was inevitable. He said that He Himself must suffer it (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22, 23 Mark 8:31).

·      Persecution a Test of Discipleship: In the parable of the sower, Jesus mentions this as one of the causes of defection (The state of having rejected your religious beliefs),among those who are Christians in “outward appearance only.”

Mark 4:17 and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.

Mathew 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Did you ever think this was about persecution/rejection?

·      Persecution/rejection; means of Blessing: In Matthew 5 Msg; the word persecution in Aramaic means rejected!!  10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

It goes on to say, we are the Gospel, the Good news!! Salt and Light verse 13 in the Msg.

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

·      In the Case of Jesus’ persecution:

In the case of Christ Himself, persecution took the form of attempts to entrap Him in His speech (Matthew 22:15); the questioning of His authority (Mark 11:28); illegal arrest; the heaping of every insult upon Him as a prisoner; false accusation; and a violent and most cruel death.

 NEVER FORGET THE PROMISES OF GOD WHEN YOU ARE FACED WITH THE CHOICE, ITS WHAT THE WORD OF GOD IS FOR!!

John 15:20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. ‘If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Mark 10:28-30 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Fear of the Lord and the fear of men are opposites. The fear of the Lord IS the beginning of wisdom. If you walk in the healthy fear of the Lord, you will suffer and see persecution. Our war is not against the people, but against the lies of the enemy.

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”

Luke 21:16 You can expect betrayal even by your parents, your brothers, your relatives and friends—and yes, some of you will die as martyrs. 17 You will be hated by all because of my life in you. 18 But don't worry. My grace will never desert you or depart from your life. 19 Stand firm with patient endurance and you will find your souls deliverance.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

·      How do we respond to persecution??

 Matthew 5:44-48 Msg “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. 48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

  Persecution draws us closer because God Loves US!

Isaiah 54:17 Msg. 11-17 “Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied:  I’m about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise….. Lay your foundations with sapphires…. construct your towers with rubies…..your gates with jewels, and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God for their teacher— what a mentor for your children!
You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble—nothing to fear!
 Far from terror—it won’t even come close! If anyone attacks you, don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them, AND if any should attack, nothing will come of it. I create the blacksmith who fires up his forge and makes a weapon designed to kill. I also create the destroyer— but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God’s servants can expect.
    I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”  God’s Decree.