Genesis 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Matthew 5:11-12 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.
Being hated without cause is an aspect of Messianic prophecy that applies to both Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David. Just as Joseph was hated by his brothers, and David was hated by Saul without cause, is it any wonder that Yeshua (Jesus) was hated by the world without cause — thus fulfilling a Messianic Psalm. [Psalm 69:4]. And should it surprise us that He is still hated? And if Yeshua was hated without a cause, should we expect our lives to be any different?
As thousands of saints suffered intense persecution in ages past, and thousands are still being persecuted today, they prepare(d) the way for the salvation of millions of others. Since Yeshua said, “Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends,” the love expressed by the martyrs is a tremendous source of inspiration to all of us.
As we are rapidly approaching the end of the age, we can expect persecution to be on the rise. We’re sent out as sheep among wolves – so lift your head high when suffering persecution for the Lord. Your response of faith and love could well lead to the salvation of the ones persecuting you!
Amen! His time draws near and we are His tools to spread His word of salvation!
Thank you for this word! It is powerful! Philippians 1:29 says For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, Not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake. also ‘Acts 14:22 says ‘We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God’. Our concept of christianity must involve suffering. Jesus experienced much suffering and so we should expect to also. I would love to recommend to you a book called Losing, Suffering, sacrificing and Dying by and author called Dag Heward-Mills. God bles you!
Amen~!
Praying~!
Suffering here in the USA is a little known element in most of our walk with Messiah; however too common around the globe. Becoming more global and the rise in anti Godliness, AntiSemitism and increasing wickedness is it no surprise that suffering for Yeshua will indeed come and radically increase here. Moreover, I saw in a publication about Brooklyn being called the “Second Jerusalem” for the Jewish people; likewise this safe haven has to come under persecution for aliyah to Israel to occur and bring Yhvh’s people home from the four corners of the Earth. Being a part of the perfected Bride will not be an easy thing but will be worth it all in the end!