Hebrew H7291. Radaph, to run after with hostile intent. And Greek G1377. Dioko, to make run, to run after with hostile intent.
Ever wonder why we never heard the word “Persecuted” used to describe a bad person. We never said “let’s go persecute Hitler, or Stalin, or Mau.” Only goodly people or Gods children. Why is that? Maybe because it’s in its name. Look above and re-read the definitions, both Hebrew and Greek have the same meaning. To run after with hostile intent. When we look at “Job” H347, we find his name means Hated, “persecuted”. This is why its only used for Gods children or goodly people. I suggest all to look at these in the Strong’s Concordance, I have given their numbers to make it easier for you. Now let’s begin with Deuteronomy and it reads.
Due.30:5] And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
This promise was fulfilled in 1948, Judah became a nation again, and the house of Israel became many nations. Those would be the Christian nations of today.
Due.30:6] And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Circumcision is of the heart after Christ was crucified. But the Lord just said this here in the Old Testament. Think He knew? Jesus is the Living Word, we are circumcised of the heart to “Love”.
Due.30:7] And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.
[8] And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
They that have hate in their hearts persecute them which are good. It’s a sickness, it is evil. Also notice “DO” his commandments. These are our works. Now let’s go to Matthew chapter 5, and Jesus is speaking.
Mat.5:10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
[12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Jesus says blessed are we that are persecuted. Because only the righteous are persecuted. And for his sake do they hate us. Jesus tells us this in John 15:17 and it reads.
John 15:17] These things I command you, that ye love one another.
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
[21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
We shall be persecuted in these end times. So put on your big boy pants and remember, we are not of this world. But rather sent into this world to do his works. “For God so loved the world he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believes on him shall have everlasting life.” In 1Corinthians chapter 4:10 Paul writes a warning.
1Cor.4:10] We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
[11] Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
[12] And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
[13] Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
[14] I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
Paul was very compassionate with us here. In this world, at this time, we are called to be bold for Christs sake. Again, Paul says in 2Cor.4:7.
2Cor.4:7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
[8] We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
[9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
[10] Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
[11] For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
Delivered unto death (the devil) for Jesus’ sake, that the Holy Spirit might speak through us in that hour. But why, even unto this day, do they persecute us. Let’s go to 1Thes.2:14 and read.
1Thes.2:14] For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
[15] Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
Because they are contrary to all men. Because you do the works of God. This is why they “Hate you.” And also, for the promise of God in the Garden. When God was speaking to Satan, after he beguiled Eve, he gave his first prophesy. And Genesis 3:15 reads.
Gen.3:15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
He bruised his heel when they nailed his feet to the cross. But her seed shall bruise his head. Our job in these end times is to be delivered up before Satan, for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Let’s go to Mat.24:9 and read.
Mat.24:9] 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.
[10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
For this reason, “Hate”, has the world been filled with violence. And we will be delivered up to the antichrist. We will not be deceived, and worship him. Pull up your big boy pants, that’s the armor of God, and stand with me. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and your comfort in these trying times. We ask that you bless this nation, and all that love you, in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.