PERSECUTIONS: ANCIENT AND MODERN

Text: Matthew 10: 17 – 18 – “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.”

 

Persecution means: Harassment and suffering which people and institutions inflict upon others for being different in their faith, world-view, culture, or race. Persecution seeks to intimidate, silence, punish, or even to kill people.

 

In the Old Testament, Israel, as a nation chosen by God (Deut 7: 6), was the agent of persecution of other nations (Judges 2: 11- 23; Lev. 26: 7 – 8). The Bible gives special attention to Israel’s fate in Egypt (Exodus 1 – 3) and in the exile (Psalm 137).

 

On an individual level king Saul persecuted David (1 Sam. 19: 9 – 12), and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were persecuted because they refused to worship the image of the King of Babylon (Dan. 3). Jezebel persecuted the prophets of the Lord, and the prophet Elijah persecuted and killed the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Job felt persecuted by God Himself (Job 7: 11- 21).

The Psalms speak of the righteous sufferer who felt persecuted as a result of his faith in God (Ps. 7).

 

In the New Testament, Jesus, our Lord and Saviour was persecuted and finally killed by the religious and political establishments of His day (Mark 3: 6; Luke 4: 29; John 5: 16; Acts 3: 13 – 15).

 

Jesus pronounced God’s salvation upon those who are persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5: 10 – 12). In an evil world disciples of Jesus Christ are to expect persecution (Matt 10: 16 – 22), just as was the case with the prophets in the OT (Matth. 5: 12; Heb. 11: 32 – 38). Paul (1 Cor. 4: 11 – 13; Gal. 5: 11; Acts 17: 5 – 10), as well as Stephen (Acts 6: 8 – 7: 60), James (Acts 12: 2) and Peter (Acts 12: 3 – 5), together with many anonymous martyrs experienced the truth of the Johanine saying: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15: 20).

 

Today persecution is very much prevalent in virtually every part of the world though it may have different terms or connotations. The Muslims have never and can never stop fighting Christian’s at the slightest provocation. Some years back, one Mr. Gideon Akaluka, a Christian, was beheaded by some muslims in the Northern part of Nigeria for unspecified reasons bordering on a piece of the Koran allegedly used by the man that was beheaded. A woman, the wife of a Cleric, while on an early morning cry was murdered in a suburb in Abuja not too long ago. The Rwandan genocide perpetrated by the Hutus against the Tutsis was a clear act of persecution. The Western world today is directly or indirectly persecuting individuals, nations and religious bodies that are against her stand on homosexualism, lesbianism and other issues which others don’t agree with.

 

Governments in various countries have never taken it lightly with anybody organization or society that pursues a different agenda contrary to their. Communities and some other bodies have always risen against persons or even communities that vary from whatever positions they hold.

 

 

Israel, as a nation, was persecuted on account of her faith in God by the Egyptians as a result of which God intervened by sending a deliverer – Moses, to them (Exo. 13: 13 – 20). The Psalmist had to cry out for redemption from the oppression of men (Psalm 119: 34) and God responded appropriately.

 

The Bible assures us that we are more than conquerors because God uses all situations to work for the food of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Rom. 8: 28) So, whether persecution or whatever forces of darkness that are being used against God’s children, God is able to turn such situations around for our good.

 

Our Lord Jesus forewarned His disciples and indeed all His disciples in all ages that they would face fierce opposition and persecution for His sake, however, He advised that we should endure till the end to enable us to be saved (Matthew 10: 16 – 22).

 

Children of God, the Bible says that “everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2nd Tim 3: 12). Israel as a nation was persecuted and indeed all godly men in the Bible were persecuted. We, all true children of God, will be persecuted as well. Apostle Peter in his first letter to the church Chapter 4: 12 – 16, encourages the people of God to rejoice in the midst of suffering for Christ so far as one is not being punished for any evil deed, such suffering, he said, would attract the blessing of God.

 

Therefore, children of God, let us continue serving God faithfully and also pray that He will strengthen us in our period of persecution.

 

Jesus says “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Matthew. 5: 10

 

Remain blessed, faithful end rapturable. Have a glorious, gracious and Spirit filled week. God bless you.