Obedience to GOD and Persecution

Let us look at what Bible history can tell us about the human heart and see if we can gain an understanding of what the future will hold. Let us begin by looking at the first martyr, Abel. You may be saying that Stephen was the first martyr but please let me explain my point. Read Genesis 4:2-8:

And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Genesis 4:2-8

When Abel was killed why was he killed? Both he and his brother were worshipping God, weren’t they? It was because his offering was accepted by God and Cain’s was not. Cain had chosen to worship God his way. He chose to give of his produce rather than sacrifice a lamb. So both were worshipping God. They were both believers, you might say. Cain was not an atheist. But he had his own ideas that were not in harmony with God’s will. As a result he became jealous of his brother whose form of worship was accepted by God. He then killed his brother. So Abel was a martyr. He was killed for his beliefs, for his adherence to what God had told him to do.

Now let us move further into the Bible to the book of Esther. If you know the story you will remember it and if you don’t know it please read the whole book and study the issues involved.

In this story in chapter 2 we find that there was a man named Mordecai who was a Jew. He was a faithful Jew that believed on God. As we read on we find in Chapter 3 that he would not bow down to Haman, one of the kings men that had been promoted to a high office. It was expected that the people would bow and reverence this leader when he passed by but Mordecai had reverence only for God and not a man. We read:

After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. Esther 3:1-6

So ... here we see a man demanding reverence that Mordecai could not in good conscience give. Haman’s reaction was to get mad and plan to have him killed. This also, like the story of Cain and Abel, is a religious issue. Mordecai was the object of someone’s hate because he would not worship a man or have a man tell him who to give reverence to. He was living up to his convictions but became the object of Haman’s hate. (see Leviticus 19:15) Mordecai had done no one any harm and in fact had saved the king from death. (see Esther 2:21-23)

Let us move on through the Bible to the story of Elijah, Ahab and Jezabel in 1 Kings 16 starting at verse 29. Ahab had become king over Israel. In essence he was king over a large part of the religious world. Israel was a religious nation and he was, therefore, the leader of a religion. What did he do? As we read in chapter 16 verses 31 to 33 we find that he chose a different way to worship.

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. 1 Kings 16:31-33

He built an alter to Baal and began worshipping him rather than the God of Heaven. He married Jezebel, an evil woman who also worshipped Baal. He chose his own way to worship. He was a religious leader but he lead the people to worship another god. In chapter 17 verses 1 and 2 Elijah the prophet of God came to Ahab and prophesied a drought in the land because of the sins of the king.

After that Elijah went into hiding and stayed there 3 years. Going on to 1 Kings 18 we find that Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought. Gods prophet was pursued by the king because he prophesied the trouble. Ahab had every nation around him seeking Elijah that he might kill him because he thought Elijah had been the cause of all the trouble. Read what Ahab says when he finally finds Elijah:

And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim. 1 Kings 18:17-18

While the blame belonged to Ahab for his sin he pointed the finger at God’s prophet. This king was a religious person. He worshipped but he was worshipping according to his own way rather than the way that God had instructed. He was worshipping a different god.

Moving on to verse 20 the contest on mount Carmel begins. Again I want you to remember that these were religious people, they had a form of religion but it was a religion that was not according to Gods plan. Elijah, one man alone, against so many of the priests of Baal, but onlookers that compared forms of worship may have been swayed by the numbers. Elijah was a remnant. His religion here on Carmel was not the majority.

So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 1 Kings 18:20-28

These priests of Baal were very zealous. They were willing to die for their god but it proved nothing. All their zeal was in a false god. Their god was silent.

Then Elijah in his own quiet way began repairing the alter of the Lord. And in a quiet way appealed to his God. Not with show or pomp. Not with shouting and flagellation’s but with a simple prayer we read:

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 1 Kings 18:30-38

Daniel obeys GOD. Here we find several stories about worship and persecution. Let us begin with the story in chapter 3. Here we find that the king, Nebuchadnezzar, built an image of gold.

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Daniel 3:1-7

Here we see that the king was setting up a form of worship that was against the will of God (see Ex. 20:4-5) and he attempted to force all nations to worship his way. He wanted his form of worship to be the way the entire world would worship. But read on:

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Daniel 3:8-15

When a few people would not go along with the kings form of worship what happened? This small remnant of people were threatened and thrown into the fiery furnace. Why? Because they chose to live up to the commandments of God rather than the dictates of the king. Was this a religious issue? Yes, it was. Were these few people really a threat to the nation? No, in fact they had been very helpful to the king. But they were persecuted because they would not obey a law of man that was contrary to Gods law.

Going on to Daniel chapter 6 we find another story. Here we find Daniel in a position of leadership.

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:1-3

Daniel had done the king no hurt but rather had been faithful to the king. But what happens? Some of the other leaders become jealous of Daniel and try to get him in trouble.



Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Daniel 6:4-5

They could not find an accusation against Daniel. He was a law abiding citizen and they could find nothing against him. They knew that in order to destroy him they would have to change the laws of the land that would go against his form of worship. They knew that they would have to make a law that would make his religion illegal.

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Daniel 6:6-9

Notice that this law was a religious law. It made it illegal to worship any one except the king. It became illegal to worship according to ones conscience. Daniel’s form of worship became wrong, even though he was a just, law abiding man. His private form of worship was attacked. Was his prayers in his own home wrong? No. Were his personal prayers hurting anyone? No. It was just that jealousy was alive in the men that were against him. The king had no real problem with Daniel until these men flattered him into thinking that he should take the place of God.

Now let us look at the death of our dear Saviour. What can we learn in His life? He was perfect. Yet he was crucified. Why?

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: 1 Peter 2:21-22

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21

Pilate could find nothing wrong with Him. The Bible writers say this of Pilate:

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye Him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him. John 19:6

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this Man unto me, as One that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this Man touching those things whereof ye accuse Him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him. I will therefore chastise Him, and release Him. Luke 23:13-16

Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath He done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify Him. Mark 15:14

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just Person: see ye to it. Matthew 27:24

Notice that according to the unreligious Jesus was viewed as a just man. But it was the religious leaders that wanted Him killed. The chief priests that wanted Him dead.

If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe on Him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one Man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; John 11:48-51

The church leaders feared loosing their influence with the people. They were afraid that the people would believe on Jesus. They were willing to sacrifice Christ for the sake of "national security". Christ again was One Person a small minority, like Elijah, a remnant like Daniel and his friends but the religious world wanted Him dead. They again blamed the innocent for the evils of their own circumstances.

Will it be repeated? Christ says:

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. John 16:2

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mark 13:6

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Cor. 11:13-15

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. Luke 21:12

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. Matthew 10:16-18

As we near the end of this world do you think that what Christ prophesied here will somehow not come to pass? I believe it will come to pass. We will see religious laws enacted that will be against the laws of God. They will dictate how we should worship. They will restrict the rights of a few who are innocent and harmless. It will be to "save the world." It will be to make everyone follow a set form of worship. It will be to force the worship of a false god. It will be because of jealousy.

We are told that history will be repeated.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. Eccles. 1:9-10

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, Isaiah 46:9

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7

For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Psalm 55:12-14

But we have wonderful promises from God for those that are faithful to Him.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19

The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers: let Him not leave us, nor forsake us: 1 Kings 8:57

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Matthew 10:22

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:5

The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. Psalm 145:14

If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My Holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the Holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 58:13-14

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:3

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my High Tower. I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:1-3

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deut. 31:6

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Psalm 27:10