SPIRITUAL WARFARE

PERSECUTIONS TO DEATH

(Subjects in this Section)
PERSECUTIONS TO DEATH:  WHAT THE SAINTS CAN EXPECT
  (TAKEN FROM THE FOUR GOSPELS)

    John the Baptist had difficult living conditions. It is written, AND THE SAME JOHN HAD HIS RAIMENT OF CAMEL'S HAIR, AND A LEATHERN GIRDLE ABOUT HIS LOINS; AND HIS MEAT WAS LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY-Mt 3:4.
   Jesus was born in a stable. Joseph and Mary could not even find room at the local inn or hotel. It is written, AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRSTBORN SON, AND WRAPPED HIM IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, AND LAID HIM IN A MANGER; BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN-Lk 2:7.
   Jesus showed that He did not even have a place to lay His head; as it is written, AND JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, FOXES HAVE HOLES, AND BIRDS OF THE AIR HAVE NESTS; BUT THE SON OF MAN HATH NOT WHERE TO LAY HIS HEAD-Lk 9:58. This is repeated in Mt 8:20-AND JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, THE FOXES HAVE HOLES, AND THE BIRDS OF THE AIR HAVE NESTS; BUT THE SON OF MAN HATH NOT WHERE TO LAY HIS HEAD.

    God’s Word illustrates that Jesus and His disciples sometimes did not even have time to eat; as it is written, AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, COME YE YOURSELVES APART INTO A DESERT PLACE, AND REST A WHILE: FOR THERE WERE MANY COMING AND GOING, AND THEY HAD NO LEISURE SO MUCH AS TO EAT-Mk 6:31.
   Those that follow Jesus may be poor, they may be hungry, and they may cry; as it is written, Lk 6:20,21-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.

    There may be times when you may eat foods that you do not desire to eat, or you may have very little food; as it is written, Mt 3:4-AND THE SAME JOHN…HIS MEAT WAS LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY. Mk 1:6-AND JOHN…DID EAT LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY.
   Lk 16:20,21-AND THERE WAS A CERTAIN BEGGAR NAMED LAZARUS, WHICH WAS LAID AT HIS GATE, FULL OF SORES, AND DESIRING TO BE FED WITH THE CRUMBS WHICH FELL FROM THE RICH MAN'S TABLE: MOREOVER THE DOGS CAME AND LICKED HIS SORES.
   Mk 6:36-SEND THEM AWAY, THAT THEY MAY GO INTO THE COUNTRY ROUND ABOUT, AND INTO THE VILLAGES, AND BUY THEMSELVES BREAD: FOR THEY HAVE NOTHING TO EAT.
   Mt 15:32-THEN JESUS CALLED HIS DISCIPLES UNTO HIM, AND SAID, I HAVE COMPASSION ON THE MULTITUDE, BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE WITH ME NOW THREE DAYS, AND HAVE NOTHING TO EAT: AND I WILL NOT SEND THEM AWAY FASTING, LEST THEY FAINT IN THE WAY.
   Mk 8:2-I HAVE COMPASSION ON THE MULTITUDE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOW BEEN WITH ME THREE DAYS, AND HAVE NOTHING TO EAT.

    Yet, Jesus often does miracles to provide food. It is written, Mk 6:37-42-HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, GIVE YE THEM TO EAT. AND THEY SAY UNTO HIM, SHALL WE GO AND BUY TWO HUNDRED PENNYWORTH OF BREAD, AND GIVE THEM TO EAT? HE SAITH UNTO THEM, HOW MANY LOAVES HAVE YE? GO AND SEE. AND WHEN THEY KNEW, THEY SAY, FIVE, AND TWO FISHES. AND HE COMMANDED THEM TO MAKE ALL SIT DOWN BY COMPANIES UPON THE GREEN GRASS. AND THEY SAT DOWN IN RANKS, BY HUNDREDS, AND BY FIFTIES. AND WHEN HE HAD TAKEN THE FIVE LOAVES AND THE TWO FISHES, HE LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN, AND BLESSED, AND BRAKE THE LOAVES, AND GAVE THEM TO HIS DISCIPLES TO SET BEFORE THEM; AND THE TWO FISHES DIVIDED HE AMONG THEM ALL. AND THEY DID ALL EAT, AND WERE FILLED.

    Lk 16:20,21-AND THERE WAS A CERTAIN BEGGAR NAMED LAZARUS, WHICH WAS LAID AT HIS GATE, FULL OF SORES...MOREOVER THE DOGS CAME AND LICKED HIS SORES.
   Job 2:7,8-SO WENT SATAN FORTH FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD, AND SMOTE JOB WITH SORE BOILS FROM THE SOLE OF HIS FOOT UNTO HIS CROWN. AND HE TOOK HIM A POTSHERD TO SCRAPE HIMSELF WITHAL; AND HE SAT DOWN AMONG THE ASHES.

    You may trust people to do certain things, but they may let you down. Jesus asked His disciples to do something, but they did not. It is written, Mt 26:38-46, THEN SAITH HE UNTO THEM, MY SOUL IS EXCEEDING SORROWFUL, EVEN UNTO DEATH: TARRY YE HERE, AND WATCH WITH ME. AND HE WENT A LITTLE FURTHER, AND FELL ON HIS FACE, AND PRAYED, SAYING, O MY FATHER, IF IT BE POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME: NEVERTHELESS NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILT. AND HE COMETH UNTO THE DISCIPLES, AND FINDETH THEM ASLEEP, AND SAITH UNTO PETER, WHAT, COULD YE NOT WATCH WITH ME ONE HOUR? WATCH AND PRAY, THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: THE SPIRIT INDEED IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK. HE WENT AWAY AGAIN THE SECOND TIME, AND PRAYED, SAYING, O MY FATHER, IF THIS CUP MAY NOT PASS AWAY FROM ME, EXCEPT I DRINK IT, THY WILL BE DONE. AND HE CAME AND FOUND THEM ASLEEP AGAIN: FOR THEIR EYES WERE HEAVY. AND HE LEFT THEM, AND WENT AWAY AGAIN, AND PRAYED THE THIRD TIME, SAYING THE SAME WORDS. THEN COMETH HE TO HIS DISCIPLES, AND SAITH UNTO THEM, SLEEP ON NOW, AND TAKE YOUR REST: BEHOLD, THE HOUR IS AT HAND, AND THE SON OF MAN IS BETRAYED INTO THE HANDS OF SINNERS. RISE, LET US BE GOING: BEHOLD, HE IS AT HAND THAT DOTH BETRAY ME. Also ref Mk 14:34-42.
   Jesus healed many, but some of them would not obey Him; as it is written, Mk 7:36-AND HE CHARGED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD TELL NO MAN: BUT THE MORE HE CHARGED THEM, SO MUCH THE MORE A GREAT DEAL THEY PUBLISHED IT.
   Mk 1:44,45-AND SAITH UNTO HIM, SEE THOU SAY NOTHING TO ANY MAN: BUT GO THY WAY, SHOW THYSELF TO THE PRIEST, AND OFFER FOR THY CLEANSING THOSE THINGS WHICH MOSES COMMANDED, FOR A TESTIMONY UNTO THEM. BUT HE WENT OUT, AND BEGAN TO PUBLISH IT MUCH, AND TO BLAZE ABROAD THE MATTER, INSOMUCH THAT JESUS COULD NO MORE OPENLY ENTER INTO THE CITY, BUT WAS WITHOUT IN DESERT PLACES: AND THEY CAME TO HIM FROM EVERY QUARTER. Jesus healed this person, yet this person would not do what Jesus had commanded him. This person’s disobedience caused Jesus problems.
   Mt 22:4-6-AGAIN, HE SENT FORTH OTHER SERVANTS, SAYING, TELL THEM WHICH ARE BIDDEN, BEHOLD, I HAVE PREPARED MY DINNER: MY OXEN AND MY FATLINGS ARE KILLED, AND ALL THINGS ARE READY: COME UNTO THE MARRIAGE. BUT THEY MADE LIGHT OF IT, AND WENT THEIR WAYS, ONE TO HIS FARM, ANOTHER TO HIS MERCHANDISE: AND THE REMNANT TOOK HIS SERVANTS, AND ENTREATED THEM SPITEFULLY, AND SLEW THEM. Some of the very people that were invited to come, turned and slew those that wanted to do them good. They would not obey.

    How easy, it seems, Satan is able to stir up the saints against other saints. People may be against you in the same way. It is written, Mt 20:20,21,23,24-THEN CAME TO HIM THE MOTHER OF ZEBEDEE'S CHILDREN WITH HER SONS, WORSHIPPING HIM, AND DESIRING A CERTAIN THING OF HIM. AND HE SAID UNTO HER, WHAT WILT THOU? SHE SAITH UNTO HIM, GRANT THAT THESE MY TWO SONS MAY SIT, THE ONE ON THY RIGHT HAND, AND THE OTHER ON THE LEFT, IN THY KINGDOM….BUT TO SIT ON MY RIGHT HAND, AND ON MY LEFT, IS NOT MINE TO GIVE, BUT IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO THEM FOR WHOM IT IS PREPARED OF MY FATHER. AND WHEN THE TEN HEARD IT, THEY WERE MOVED WITH INDIGNATION AGAINST THE TWO BRETHREN.
   Mt 26:6-12-NOW WHEN JESUS WAS IN BETHANY, IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON THE LEPER, THERE CAME UNTO HIM A WOMAN HAVING AN ALABASTER BOX OF VERY PRECIOUS OINTMENT, AND POURED IT ON HIS HEAD, AS HE SAT AT MEAT. BUT WHEN HIS DISCIPLES SAW IT, THEY HAD INDIGNATION, SAYING, TO WHAT PURPOSE IS THIS WASTE? FOR THIS OINTMENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOLD FOR MUCH, AND GIVEN TO THE POOR. WHEN JESUS UNDERSTOOD IT, HE SAID UNTO THEM, WHY TROUBLE YE THE WOMAN? FOR SHE HATH WROUGHT A GOOD WORK UPON ME. FOR YE HAVE THE POOR ALWAYS WITH YOU; BUT ME YE HAVE NOT ALWAYS. FOR IN THAT SHE HATH POURED THIS OINTMENT ON MY BODY, SHE DID IT FOR MY BURIAL. Also ref Mk 14:3-8.
   People often hate those that bring forth the Gospel more than a murderer. It is written, Mk 15:6-8,12-15-NOW AT THAT FEAST HE RELEASED UNTO THEM ONE PRISONER, WHOMSOEVER THEY DESIRED. AND THERE WAS ONE NAMED BARABBAS, WHICH LAY BOUND WITH THEM THAT HAD MADE INSURRECTION WITH HIM, WHO HAD COMMITTED MURDER IN THE INSURRECTION. AND THE MULTITUDE CRYING ALOUD BEGAN TO DESIRE HIM TO DO AS HE HAD EVER DONE UNTO THEM. AND PILATE ANSWERED AND SAID AGAIN UNTO THEM, WHAT WILL YE THEN THAT I SHALL DO UNTO HIM WHOM YE CALL THE KING OF THE JEWS? AND THEY CRIED OUT AGAIN, CRUCIFY HIM. THEN PILATE SAID UNTO THEM, WHY, WHAT EVIL HATH HE DONE? AND THEY CRIED OUT THE MORE EXCEEDINGLY, CRUCIFY HIM. AND SO PILATE, WILLING TO CONTENT THE PEOPLE, RELEASED BARABBAS UNTO THEM, AND DELIVERED JESUS, WHEN HE HAD SCOURGED HIM, TO BE CRUCIFIED.
   Saints can expect to be rejected by this world, as it is written, Lk 17:25-BUT FIRST MUST HE SUFFER MANY THINGS, AND BE REJECTED OF THIS GENERATION.
   Mt 10:14-AND WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT RECEIVE YOU, NOR HEAR YOUR WORDS, WHEN YE DEPART OUT OF THAT HOUSE OR CITY, SHAKE OFF THE DUST OF YOUR FEET.

    Jesus shows us clearly in Jn 15:20-IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL ALSO PERSECUTE YOU.
   Sometimes Jesus will send people to go here or there, and the people that Jesus sends will be persecuted or killed. It is written, Mt 23:34-WHEREFORE, BEHOLD, I SEND UNTO YOU PROPHETS, AND WISE MEN, AND SCRIBES: AND SOME OF THEM YE SHALL KILL AND CRUCIFY; AND SOME OF THEM SHALL YE SCOURGE IN YOUR SYNAGOGUES, AND PERSECUTE THEM FROM CITY TO CITY.
   A person may be persecuted because they do what is right. Jesus said, 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-Mt 5:10,11.
   Mt 10:23-BUT WHEN THEY PERSECUTE YOU IN THIS CITY, FLEE YE INTO ANOTHER: FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, YE SHALL NOT HAVE GONE OVER THE CITIES OF ISRAEL, TILL THE SON OF MAN BE COME.
   Mk 10:30-BUT HE SHALL RECEIVE AN HUNDREDFOLD NOW IN THIS TIME, HOUSES, AND BRETHREN, AND SISTERS, AND MOTHERS, AND CHILDREN, AND LANDS, WITH PERSECUTIONS; AND IN THE WORLD TO COME ETERNAL LIFE.
   Lk 21:12-BUT BEFORE ALL THESE, THEY SHALL LAY THEIR HANDS ON YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU, DELIVERING YOU UP TO THE SYNAGOGUES, AND INTO PRISONS, BEING BROUGHT BEFORE KINGS AND RULERS FOR MY NAME'S SAKE.
   Jesus had healed a man on the Sabbath Day. Therefore, the Jews persecuted Him and sought to slay Him; as it is written, Jn 5:16-AND THEREFORE DID THE JEWS PERSECUTE JESUS, AND SOUGHT TO SLAY HIM, BECAUSE HE HAD DONE THESE THINGS ON THE SABBATH DAY.
   Yet, when we are persecuted, Mt 5:44 tells us what to do. It is written, BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITEFULLY USE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU.

   When a person brings forth God’s Word, he can expect problems. When a person does miracles, which are wrought through him by God, he can expect problems. People react in various ways, according to what their heart is like. The following Scriptures give us some examples.
   Mt 8:28-34-AND WHEN HE (Jesus) WAS COME TO THE OTHER SIDE INTO THE COUNTRY OF THE GERGESENES, THERE MET HIM TWO POSSESSED WITH DEVILS, COMING OUT OF THE TOMBS, EXCEEDING FIERCE, SO THAT NO MAN MIGHT PASS BY THAT WAY. AND, BEHOLD, THEY CRIED OUT, SAYING, WHAT HAVE WE TO DO WITH THEE, JESUS, THOU SON OF GOD? ART THOU COME HITHER TO TORMENT US BEFORE THE TIME? AND THERE WAS A GOOD WAY OFF FROM THEM AN HERD OF MANY SWINE FEEDING. SO THE DEVILS BESOUGHT HIM, SAYING, IF THOU CAST US OUT, SUFFER US TO GO AWAY INTO THE HERD OF SWINE. AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, GO. AND WHEN THEY WERE COME OUT, THEY WENT INTO THE HERD OF SWINE: AND, BEHOLD, THE WHOLE HERD OF SWINE RAN VIOLENTLY DOWN A STEEP PLACE INTO THE SEA, AND PERISHED IN THE WATERS. AND THEY THAT KEPT THEM FLED, AND WENT THEIR WAYS INTO THE CITY, AND TOLD EVERY THING, AND WHAT WAS BEFALLEN TO THE POSSESSED OF THE DEVILS. AND, BEHOLD, THE WHOLE CITY CAME OUT TO MEET JESUS: AND WHEN THEY SAW HIM, THEY BESOUGHT HIM THAT HE WOULD DEPART OUT OF THEIR COASTS. It is never recorded that He ever went back. Mk 5:17-AND THEY BEGAN TO PRAY HIM TO DEPART OUT OF THEIR COASTS.
   Lk 10:10,11-BUT INTO WHATSOEVER CITY YE ENTER, AND THEY RECEIVE YOU NOT, GO YOUR WAYS OUT INTO THE STREETS OF THE SAME, AND SAY, EVEN THE VERY DUST OF YOUR CITY, WHICH CLEAVETH ON US, WE DO WIPE OFF AGAINST YOU. Sometimes whole cities may reject Jesus.

    Mt 21:42-JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, DID YE NEVER READ IN THE SCRIPTURES, THE STONE (which is Jesus, which is the Word) WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THE SAME IS BECOME THE HEAD OF THE CORNER: THIS IS THE LORDS DOING, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES? Also ref Mk 12:10; Lk 20:17.

    Some people reject Jesus and make excuses, because they are so involved in the world. As I recall, a certain preacher asked his audience, "If you would like to go to heaven, right now, quickly raise your hands." Many hesitated. Why did many hesitate? One said, "I want to go to heaven, but first, I want to know what it is like to be married. Others had excuses, also.
   It is written, Lk 14:18-20-AND THEY ALL WITH ONE CONSENT BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSE. THE FIRST SAID UNTO HIM, I HAVE BOUGHT A PIECE OF GROUND, AND I MUST NEEDS GO AND SEE IT: I PRAY THEE HAVE ME EXCUSED. AND ANOTHER SAID, I HAVE BOUGHT FIVE YOKE OF OXEN, AND I GO TO PROVE THEM: I PRAY THEE HAVE ME EXCUSED. AND ANOTHER SAID, I HAVE MARRIED A WIFE, AND THEREFORE I CANNOT COME.

    Mt 22:2-5-THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO A CERTAIN KING, WHICH MADE A MARRIAGE FOR HIS SON. AND SENT FORTH HIS SERVANTS TO CALL THEM THAT WERE BIDDEN TO THE WEDDING: AND THEY WOULD NOT COME. AGAIN, HE SENT FORTH OTHER SERVANTS, SAYING, TELL THEM WHICH ARE BIDDEN, BEHOLD, I HAVE PREPARED MY DINNER: MY OXEN AND MY FATLINGS ARE KILLED, AND ALL THINGS ARE READY: COME UNTO THE MARRIAGE. BUT THEY MADE LIGHT OF IT (In other words, they did not consider it very important. Their own desires now were more important to them, than eternal life later.), AND WENT THEIR WAYS, ONE TO HIS FARM, ANOTHER TO HIS MERCHANDISE. These people owned things. They were well off. They were comfortable.

    Some think that because they are a Jew, a Methodist, a Catholic, a Baptist, a preacher, the son or wife of a preacher, or because they sing in the choir, go to church, give money, or because of many other reasons, they think they will not perish. It is written, Lk 3:8-BRING FORTH THEREFORE FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE, AND BEGIN NOT TO SAY WITHIN YOURSELVES, WE HAVE ABRAHAM TO OUR FATHER: FOR I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT GOD IS ABLE OF THESE STONES TO RAISE UP CHILDREN UNTO ABRAHAM.
   Lk 16:15-AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, YE ARE THEY WHICH JUSTIFY YOURSELVES BEFORE MEN; BUT GOD KNOWETH YOUR HEARTS: FOR THAT WHICH IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG MEN IS ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.

    Lk 9:59,60-AND HE SAID UNTO ANOTHER, FOLLOW ME. BUT HE SAID, LORD, SUFFER ME FIRST TO GO AND BURY MY FATHER. JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD: BUT GO THOU AND PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
   Lk 9:61,62-AND ANOTHER ALSO SAID, LORD, I WILL FOLLOW THEE; BUT LET ME FIRST GO BID THEM FAREWELL, WHICH ARE AT HOME AT MY HOUSE. AND JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, NO MAN, HAVING PUT HIS HAND TO THE PLOUGH, AND LOOKING BACK, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Once you begin to follow Jesus, you are not to look back.

    Jesus clearly told Peter that he would deny Him, but he did not believe. Jesus said...THOU SHALT DENY ME....Peter said, I WILL NOT. It is written, Mk 14:30,31-AND JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, VERILY I SAY UNTO THEE, THAT THIS DAY, EVEN IN THIS NIGHT, BEFORE THE COCK CROW TWICE, THOU SHALT DENY ME THRICE. BUT HE SPAKE THE MORE VEHEMENTLY, IF I SHOULD DIE WITH THEE, I WILL NOT DENY THEE IN ANY WISE. LIKEWISE ALSO SAID THEY ALL.
   When they had heard that Jesus was alive, they did not believe it. It is written, Mk 16:11-AND THEY, WHEN THEY HAD HEARD THAT HE WAS ALIVE, AND HAD BEEN SEEN OF HER, BELIEVED NOT.
   Mk 16:13-AND THEY WENT AND TOLD IT UNTO THE RESIDUE: NEITHER BELIEVED THEY THEM.

    Lk 2:34-AND SIMEON BLESSED THEM, AND SAID UNTO MARY HIS MOTHER, BEHOLD, THIS CHILD IS SET FOR THE FALL AND RISING AGAIN OF MANY IN ISRAEL; AND FOR A SIGN WHICH SHALL BE SPOKEN AGAINST.

    Jesus preached the Word to the people, but—Lk 4:28-ALL THEY IN THE SYNAGOGUE...WERE FILLED WITH WRATH.
   Jesus healed on the Sabbath Day, but, as a result, in Lk 6:11-THEY WERE FILLED WITH MADNESS; AND COMMUNED ONE WITH ANOTHER WHAT THEY MIGHT DO TO JESUS.

   Some people will not come to hear God’s Word. Lk 11:31-THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH SHALL RISE UP IN THE JUDGMENT WITH THE MEN OF THIS GENERATION, AND CONDEMN THEM: FOR SHE CAME FROM THE UTMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH TO HEAR THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON; AND BEHOLD, A GREATER THAN SOLOMON IS HERE.

    Some people will not repent when they hear God’s Word. Lk 11:32-THE MEN OF NINEVEH SHALL RISE UP IN THE JUDGMENT WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SHALL CONDEMN IT: FOR THEY REPENTED AT THE PREACHING OF JONAH; AND, BEHOLD, A GREATER THAN JONAH IS HERE.

    Some people will not be thankful, even if God heals them of a very grievous disease. It is written, Lk 17:12-19-AND AS HE ENTERED INTO A CERTAIN VILLAGE, THERE MET HIM TEN MEN THAT WERE LEPERS, WHICH STOOD AFAR OFF: AND THEY LIFTED UP THEIR VOICES, AND SAID, JESUS, MASTER, HAVE MERCY ON US. AND WHEN HE SAW THEM, HE SAID UNTO THEM, GO SHOW YOURSELVES UNTO THE PRIESTS. AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT, AS THEY WENT, THEY WERE CLEANSED. AND ONE OF THEM, WHEN HE SAW THAT HE WAS HEALED, TURNED BACK, AND WITH A LOUD VOICE GLORIFIED GOD, AND FELL DOWN ON HIS FACE AT HIS FEET, GIVING HIM THANKS: AND HE WAS A SAMARITAN. AND JESUS ANSWERING SAID, WERE THERE NOT TEN CLEANSED? BUT WHERE ARE THE NINE? THERE ARE NOT FOUND THAT RETURNED TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD, SAVE THIS STRANGER. AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, ARISE, GO THY WAY: THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE.

    If you bring forth God’s Word, people will sometimes cast you out; as it is written, Lk 20:12-AND AGAIN HE SENT A THIRD: AND THEY WOUNDED HIM ALSO, AND CAST HIM OUT.

21-ENEMIES MAY BECOME FRIENDS
AND UNITE AGAINST THOSE THAT BRING FORTH GOD’S WORD

    Enemies that may normally hate each other will sometimes put aside their hatred and unite with each other against those preaching God’s Word. It is written, Lk 23:11,12-AND HEROD WITH HIS MEN OF WAR SET HIM (Jesus) AT NOUGHT, AND MOCKED HIM, AND ARRAYED HIM IN A GORGEOUS ROBE, AND SENT HIM AGAIN TO PILATE. AND THE SAME DAY PILATE AND HEROD WERE MADE FRIENDS TOGETHER: FOR BEFORE THEY WERE AT ENMITY BETWEEN THEMSELVES.

    Jesus taught in Jn 6:56-HE THAT EATETH MY FLESH, AND DRINKETH MY BLOOD, DWELLETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM. As a result, in Jn 6:60,66-MANY THEREFORE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHEN THEY HAD HEARD THIS, SAID, THIS IS AN HARD SAYING; WHO CAN HEAR IT? FROM THAT TIME MANY OF HIS DISCIPLES WENT BACK, AND WALKED NO MORE WITH HIM.

    Jesus taught in Jn 10:30,31,33-I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE. As a result, the people wanted to kill Jesus. It is written, THEN THE JEWS TOOK UP STONES AGAIN TO STONE HIM. THE JEWS ANSWERED HIM, SAYING, FOR A GOOD WORK WE STONE THEE NOT; BUT FOR BLASPHEMY; AND BECAUSE THAT THOU, BEING A MAN, MAKEST THYSELF GOD.

    Often those that bring forth the uncompromised Gospel are despised far more than a robber or a murderer. It is written, Mt 27:16,17,20-AND THEY HAD THEN A NOTABLE PRISONER, CALLED BARABBAS (he was a robber and murderer). THEREFORE WHEN THEY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER, PILATE SAID UNTO THEM, WHOM WILL YE THAT I RELEASE UNTO YOU? BARABBAS, OR JESUS WHICH IS CALLED CHRIST? BUT THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND ELDERS PERSUADED THE MULTITUDE THAT THEY SHOULD ASK BARABBAS, AND DESTROY JESUS. Also ref Mk 15:6-8,11,13-15; Lk 23:18,19; Jn 18:39,40.

    You might say, "I don’t see people hating preachers like this today." The reason for this is usually because they do not bring forth God’s Word of correction as Jesus or the apostles did. This is why: the Gospel of compromise, or the lukewarm Gospel, is not hated as is the uncompromised Gospel, which very few bring forth in this generation.

    As you bring forth God’s Word, people may become offended at you. It is written, Mt 13:54-57-AND WHEN HE WAS COME INTO HIS OWN COUNTRY, HE (Jesus) TAUGHT THEM IN THEIR SYNAGOGUE, INSOMUCH THAT THEY WERE ASTONISHED, AND SAID, WHENCE HATH THIS MAN THIS WISDOM, AND THESE MIGHTY WORKS? IS NOT THIS THE CARPENTERS SON? IS NOT HIS MOTHER CALLED MARY? AND HIS BRETHREN, JAMES, AND JOSES, AND SIMON, AND JUDAS? AND HIS SISTERS, ARE THEY NOT ALL WITH US? WHENCE THEN HATH THIS MAN ALL THESE THINGS? AND THEY WERE OFFENDED IN HIM. BUT JESUS SAID UNTO THEM, A PROPHET IS NOT WITHOUT HONOR, SAVE IN HIS OWN COUNTRY, AND IN HIS OWN HOUSE. Also ref Mk 6:2-6.
   Mt 24:10-AND THEN SHALL MANY BE OFFENDED, AND SHALL BETRAY ONE ANOTHER, AND SHALL HATE ONE ANOTHER.
   Mt 15:12-THEN CAME HIS DISCIPLES, AND SAID UNTO HIM, KNOWEST THOU THAT THE PHARISEES WERE OFFENDED, AFTER THEY HEARD THIS SAYING?

    Mt 24:9,10,12-THEN SHALL THEY DELIVER YOU UP TO BE AFFLICTED, AND SHALL KILL YOU: AND YE SHALL BE HATED OF ALL NATIONS FOR MY NAME’S SAKE. AND THEN SHALL MANY BE OFFENDED, AND SHALL BETRAY ONE ANOTHER, AND SHALL HATE ONE ANOTHER. AND BECAUSE INIQUITY SHALL ABOUND, THE LOVE OF MANY SHALL WAX COLD.
   Mk 13:13-AND YE SHALL BE HATED OF ALL MEN FOR MY NAME’S SAKE: BUT HE THAT SHALL ENDURE UNTO THE END, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED.
   Jn 15:24,25-IF I HAD NOT DONE AMONG THEM THE WORKS WHICH NONE OTHER MAN DID, THEY HAD NOT HAD SIN: BUT NOW HAVE THEY BOTH SEEN AND HATED BOTH ME AND MY FATHER. BUT THIS COMETH TO PASS, THAT THE WORD MIGHT BE FULFILLED THAT IS WRITTEN IN THEIR LAW, THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.

    As you bring forth the uncompromised Gospel and let your light so shine before men, people will be displeased with you. It is written, Mt 21:15,16-AND WHEN THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES SAW THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT HE DID, AND THE CHILDREN CRYING IN THE TEMPLE, AND SAYING, HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID; THEY WERE SORE DISPLEASED. AND SAID UNTO HIM, HEAREST THOU WHAT THESE SAY? AND JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, YEA; HAVE YE NEVER READ, OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES AND SUCKLINGS THOU HAST PERFECTED PRAISE?
   Mk 10:41-AND WHEN THE TEN HEARD IT, THEY BEGAN TO BE MUCH DISPLEASED WITH JAMES AND JOHN.

    As a person brings forth the uncompromised Gospel, some people will despise him, as it is written, Lk 10:16-HE THAT HEARETH YOU HEARETH ME; AND HE THAT DESPISETH YOU DESPISETH ME; AND HE THAT DESPISETH ME DESPISETH HIM THAT SENT ME.

    As a person brings forth the uncompromised Gospel and lets his light so shine before men, some people will think he is crazy, as it is written, Mk 3:21-AND WHEN HIS FRIENDS HEARD OF IT, THEY WENT OUT TO LAY HOLD ON HIM: FOR THEY SAID, HE IS BESIDE HIMSELF.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect that people will try to cause you to doubt what you are doing is right with accusing type of questions. Some will disagree with you. It is written, Mt 9:10,11-AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS JESUS SAT AT MEAT IN THE HOUSE, BEHOLD, MANY PUBLICANS AND SINNERS CAME AND SAT DOWN WITH HIM AND HIS DISCIPLES. AND WHEN THE PHARISEES SAW IT, THEY SAID UNTO HIS DISCIPLES, WHY EATETH YOUR MASTER WITH PUBLICANS AND SINNERS? Also ref Mk 2:15,16.

    Officials may charge you unlawful fees or taxes. You may be required to pay money that you do not owe. It is written, Mt 17:24-27-AND WHEN THEY WERE COME TO CAPERNAUM, THEY THAT RECEIVED TRIBUTE MONEY CAME TO PETER, AND SAID, DOTH NOT YOUR MASTER PAY TRIBUTE? HE SAITH, YES. AND WHEN HE WAS COME INTO THE HOUSE, JESUS PREVENTED HIM, SAYING, WHAT THINKEST THOU, SIMON? OF WHOM DO THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TAKE CUSTOM OR TRIBUTE? OF THEIR OWN CHILDREN, OR OF STRANGERS? PETER SAITH UNTO HIM, OF STRANGERS. JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, THEN ARE THE CHILDREN FREE. NOTWITHSTANDING, LEST WE SHOULD OFFEND THEM, GO THOU TO THE SEA, AND CAST AN HOOK, AND TAKE UP THE FISH THAT FIRST COMETH UP; AND WHEN THOU HAST OPENED HIS MOUTH, THOU SHALT FIND A PIECE OF MONEY: THAT TAKE, AND GIVE UNTO THEM FOR ME AND THEE. Yet, God can be expected to provide, praise God.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect that people will challenge your authority. As it is written, Mt 21:23-AND WHEN HE WAS COME INTO THE TEMPLE, THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE ELDERS OF THE PEOPLE CAME UNTO HIM AS HE WAS TEACHING, AND SAID, BY WHAT AUTHORITY DOEST THOU THESE THINGS? AND WHO GAVE THEE THIS AUTHORITY? Also ref Lk 20:1,2.
   Mk 6:2-AND WHEN THE SABBATH DAY WAS COME, HE BEGAN TO TEACH IN THE SYNAGOGUE: AND MANY HEARING HIM WERE ASTONISHED, SAYING FROM WHENCE HATH THIS MAN THESE THINGS? AND WHAT WISDOM IS THIS WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO HIM, THAT EVEN SUCH MIGHTY WORKS ARE WROUGHT BY HIS HANDS?
   Jn 7:15-AND THE JEWS MARVELLED, SAYING, HOW KNOWETH THIS MAN LETTERS, HAVING NEVER LEARNED?

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect that others will try to hinder you in many ways; as it is written, Lk 11:52-WOE UNTO YOU LAWYERS…THEM THAT WERE ENTERING IN YE HINDERED.
   Mt 13:25-BUT WHILE MEN SLEPT, HIS ENEMY CAME AND SOWED TARES AMONG THE WHEAT, AND WENT HIS WAY. The enemy tries to hinder, stop, choke, and kill the saints.

    As a follower of Jesus, you can expect that others will try to cause you all types of problems. You may be hated, cursed, despitefully used, beaten, laughed at, and more. As it is written, Lk 6:22-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. 

• Hate you

• Separate you

• Reproach you

• Cast out your name as evil

    Lk 6:27,28-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.

• You will have enemies

• You will be cursed

• You will be despitefully used

    Lk 20:11-AND AGAIN HE SENT ANOTHER SERVANT: AND THEY BEAT HIM ALSO, AND ENTREATED HIM SHAMEFULLY, AND SENT HIM AWAY EMPTY.

• They will beat you

• They will entreat you shamefully

    Lk 8:53-Jesus had said, "She is not dead." AND THEY LAUGHED HIM TO SCORN.

    Lk 20:20-AND THEY WATCHED HIM, AND SENT FORTH SPIES, WHICH SHOULD FEIGN THEMSELVES JUST MEN, THAT THEY MIGHT TAKE HOLD OF HIS WORDS, THAT SO THEY MIGHT DELIVER HIM UNTO THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR.

• They will watch you

• You will be spied upon

• Feign themselves just men

• They will try to catch you in your words

• Deliver you to the authorities

Jn 16:2-THEY SHALL PUT YOU OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUES: YEA, THE TIME COMETH, THAT WHOSOEVER KILLETH YOU WILL THINK THAT HE DOETH GOD SERVICE.

• Hate you

• Separate you

• Reproach you

• Cast out your name as evil

• You will have enemies

• You will be cursed

• You will be despitefully used

• They will beat you

• They will entreat you shamefully

• They will watch you

• You will be spied upon

• Feign themselves just men

• They will try to catch you in your words

• Deliver you to the authorities

• Ridicule or laugh you to scorn…

• Put you out of your church

• Kill you

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect people will call you a deceiver. They may say you are from a cult, in order to try to discredit you among other people as they did regarding Paul. Even after Jesus had died, He was called a deceiver; as it is written, Mt 27:63-THAT DECEIVER SAID. Jesus was accused of deceiving the people; as it is written, Jn 7:12-OTHERS SAID...HE DECEIVETH THE PEOPLE.

    As a follower of Jesus and as a person that lets his light so shine before men, you can expect people to accuse you of going against established church traditions and doctrines just as they did to Jesus. It is written, Mt 15:1-3,9-THEN CAME TO JESUS SCRIBES AND PHARISEES (who were the religious leaders), WHICH WERE OF JERUSALEM, SAYING, WHY DO THY DISCIPLES TRANSGRESS THE TRADITION OF THE ELDERS? FOR THEY WASH NOT THEIR HANDS WHEN THEY EAT BREAD. BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, WHY DO YE ALSO TRANSGRESS THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD BY YOUR TRADITION? BUT IN VAIN THEY DO WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.
   Mk 7:3-5-FOR THE PHARISEES AND ALL THE JEWS, EXCEPT THEY WASH THEIR HANDS OFT, EAT NOT, HOLDING THE TRADITION OF THE ELDERS. AND WHEN THEY COME FROM THE MARKET, EXCEPT THEY WASH, THEY EAT NOT. AND MANY OTHER THINGS THERE BE, WHICH THEY HAVE RECEIVED TO HOLD, AS THE WASHING OF CUPS, AND POTS, BRAZEN VESSELS, AND OF TABLES. THEN THE PHARISEES AND SCRIBES ASKED HIM, WHY WALK NOT THY DISCIPLES ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION OF THE ELDERS, BUT EAT BREAD WITH UNWASHEN HANDS?

    Mk 15:29-THEY...RAILED ON HIM.
   Jn 10:20-AND MANY OF THEM SAID, HE HATH A DEVIL, AND IS MAD; WHY HEAR YE HIM?
   Mk 7:2-THEY EXPECT YOU TO DO THEIR WILL.
   Mt 5:10,11-They speak evil of you.
   Mt 11:16-20-They accused both John and Jesus.
   Mk 14:5-THEY MURMURED AGAINST HER.
   Lk 5:30-They MURMURED AGAINST HIS DISCIPLES.
   Lk 15:2-They MURMURED, SAYING, THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS.
   Jn 6:41-THE JEWS...MURMURED against Jesus.
   Jn 6:60-They murmured…THIS IS AN HARD SAYING.
   Jn 7:12-THERE WAS MUCH MURMURING... CONCERNING Jesus.
   Mt 5:10-They will revile you.
   Mt 26:68-They mocked Jesus.
   Mt 27:29-THEY BOWED THE KNEE...AND MOCKED HIM.
   Mt 27:39-THEY...REVILED Jesus.
   Lk 22:63-JESUS was MOCKED.
   Mt 22:5-THEY MADE LIGHT (or fun) of the invitation to come to Jesus.\
   Mk 5:40-THEY LAUGHED Jesus TO SCORN.
   Mk 10:34-THEY SHALL MOCK HIM, AND SHALL SCOURGE HIM.
   Mk 15:20-THEY...MOCKED HIM.
   Mk 15:31-THE CHIEF PRIESTS MOCKING.
   Lk 18:32-HE SHALL BE...MOCKED.
   All these things they may do to you, if you bring forth the uncompromised Gospel and let your light so shine before men.

    Religious leaders and people can be expected to accuse you of wrongdoing, because it is contrary to their understanding and teaching.
   Mt 12:1-8-AT THAT TIME JESUS WENT ON THE SABBATH DAY THROUGH THE CORN; AND HIS DISCIPLES WERE AHUNGERED, AND BEGAN TO PLUCK THE EARS OF CORN, AND TO EAT. BUT WHEN THE PHARISEES SAW IT, THEY SAID UNTO HIM, BEHOLD, THY DISCIPLES DO THAT WHICH IS NOT LAWFUL TO DO UPON THE SABBATH DAY. BUT HE SAID UNTO THEM, HAVE YE NOT READ WHAT DAVID DID, WHEN HE WAS AHUNGERED, AND THEY THAT WERE WITH HIM; HOW HE ENTERED INTO THE HOUSE OF GOD, AND DID EAT THE SHOWBREAD, WHICH WAS NOT LAWFUL FOR HIM TO EAT, NEITHER FOR THEM WHICH WERE WITH HIM, BUT ONLY FOR THE PRIESTS? OR HAVE YE NOT READ IN THE LAW, HOW THAT ON THE SABBATH DAYS THE PRIESTS IN THE TEMPLE PROFANE THE SABBATH, AND ARE BLAMELESS? BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT IN THIS PLACE IS ONE GREATER THAN THE TEMPLE. BUT IF YE HAD KNOWN WHAT THIS MEANETH, I WILL HAVE MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE, YE WOULD NOT HAVE CONDEMNED THE GUILTLESS. FOR THE SON OF MAN IS LORD EVEN OF THE SABBATH DAY.
   Lk 13:14-(They spoke with indignation)-AND THE RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE ANSWERED WITH INDIGNATION, BECAUSE THAT JESUS HAD HEALED ON THE SABBATH DAY, AND SAID UNTO THE PEOPLE, THERE ARE SIX DAYS IN WHICH MEN OUGHT TO WORK: IN THEM THEREFORE COME AND BE HEALED, AND NOT ON THE SABBATH DAY.

    Even those who are born-again or closest to you may rebuke you, as you bring forth the uncompromised Gospel and let your light so shine before men. It is written, Mt 16:22-THEN PETER TOOK HIM, AND BEGAN TO REBUKE HIM (he rebuked Jesus), SAYING, BE IT FAR FROM THEE, LORD: THIS SHALL NOT BE UNTO THEE. Also ref Mk 8:32.

    Some people may trouble you for your good works, as you bring forth the uncompromised Gospel and let your light so shine before men. It is written,
   Mt 26:10-13-WHEN JESUS UNDERSTOOD IT, HE SAID UNTO THEM, WHY TROUBLE YE THE WOMAN? FOR SHE HATH WROUGHT A GOOD WORK UPON ME. FOR YE HAVE THE POOR ALWAYS WITH YOU; BUT ME YE HAVE NOT ALWAYS. FOR IN THAT SHE HATH POURED THIS OINTMENT ON MY BODY, SHE DID IT FOR MY BURIAL. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, WHERESOEVER THIS GOSPEL SHALL BE PREACHED IN THE WHOLE WORLD, THERE SHALL ALSO THIS, THAT THIS WOMAN HATH DONE, BE TOLD FOR A MEMORIAL OF HER.

   Ref Lk 23:2,5,10-The chief priests (and others) accused Jesus of many things.
   Ref Lk 6:2-Accused for picking corn on the Sabbath Day.
   Ref Mk 2:23-28-Religious leaders accused His disciples of doing THAT WHICH IS NOT LAWFUL.
   Lk 6:7-They WATCHED HIM...THAT THEY MIGHT FIND AN ACCUSATION AGAINST HIM.
   Lk 7:33-AND YE SAY HE (John) HATH A DEVIL. Lk 7:34-Called Jesus A GLUTTONOUS MAN AND A WINEBIBBER.
   Ref Jn 12:3-5-Judas accused Mary, after she had anointed the feet of Jesus.

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