Persecution-1

My friends Persecution is a word mentioned in the Bible(especially in New Testament).The Word Persecution in Greek is derived from the word-‘diōgmós’ (from 1377 /diṓkō, “follow, pursue”) – properly, pursuit (chase); persecution – literally, “the hunt to bring someone down like an animal,” trying to suppress (punish) their convictions.

or

diōgmós (“religious persecution”) literally refers to those seeking to punish God’s messengers with a vengeance – like a hunter trying to conquer (obliterate) someone as their “catch.”

The other words for ‘persecution‘ are harassment,oppression,hostility and ill–treatment,persistent annoyance.

My Dear Brothers’ and Sisters’ when we accept Lord JESUS CHRIST as our personal Saviour, we expect so many things(including Salvation),Blessings,Healing,Grace and other Good things.When Peter the apostle asked the Lord about his reward of following JESUS THE LORD,The Lord replied in Mark 10:30 as-

 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.(NKJV)

Yes there are Rewards that the Heavenly Father gives to HIS children here on this earth and in Heaven.But the above verse 30 clearly states that there will be ‘persecutions’ when we start following the Lord.Yes following the Lord means to pay the price,sacrifice,carrying the Cross,self denial.Lord JESUS HIMSELF said in Matthew 16:24 

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

There is no Resurrection without the Cross.Lord JESUS never promised that we won’t face any problem once HE chooses or uses us or when we accept Lord JESUS as our personal Saviour. My friends Lord did amazing miracles through the Apostles (when we read Matthew 10,Luke 9,Mark 6,Acts 4,Acts 5,Acts 19:11,12).But the key is found in Matthew 4 when the apostles faced opposition and persecution by the council there.It never surprised them nor were they stunned but instead they went back to their group of believers and Thanked the Lord and prayed for boldness.(Acts 4:23-30).They never questioned God,nor did they grumble or murmur,but they praised God for everything.Acts 14:22 tells us the way the Apostles preached- strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying,”We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

My friends,tribulations or persecutions are a part of Gospel sharing,a part of believer’s life.What is the reason that a believer or a true Christian suffers persecutions or tribulations?This is a very important aspect in the Faith Life of an individual.Many preachers don’t touch the topic or scarcely brush off the Topic in fear of people discarding them or running away from the church or the Kingdom of God.They play it safe,using their own fleshly wisdom in not mentioning the topic and as a result trying to please the people by sharing the Gospel as per their demand and itching ears.Full Gospel means Full Gospel i.e Gospel in its totality.We cannot run away from the truth.Lord JESUS and then the Apostles,preached every topic and matter concerned directly with HIS people.We cannot operate in fear but Faith.Yes it is True that we need to pray and under Gods’ guidance share the Truth but there has to come a time when we need to mentor,prepare the people for the coming last days Anointing,persecutions,tribulations and The Rapture.Prophet Daniel and his blessed friends were always prepared,to face anything and everything for God.It is only The HOLY SPIRIT who gives us this Grace.We cannot do anything on our own but The Spirit of the Most High God is our whole,Sole Helper.

God willing we will see the full details from the Bible in the second part of this teaching.

to be continued……..