JOTS FROM OLD JAKE
THE PERSECUTED!
Thursday, May. 03, 2007 - 4:24 p.m.
This is the last of the 8 beatitudes listen in Matthew 5 of the KJV.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness� sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [Matt. 5:10].
Persecuted: H291. רָדַף r�daph, raw-daf�; a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by):� chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute (-ion, -or), pursue (-r).
V.J. McGee says this in reference to this beatitude: �The application of this beatitude to our day and to the remnant of Israel during the Great Tribulation is easy to see. But can it apply to the Kingdom which is to be established? Won�t all evil be removed in the Kingdom? Well, many Scriptures show that in the millennial Kingdom there will still be evil in the world because it will be a time of testing. The outbreak of rebellion at the end of the Millennium reveals that evil will be prevalent during the Millennium, (Rev 20:7 KJV) And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.�
Persecuted is found in the KJV 20 times 6 times in the old testament and 14 times in the new. Generally refers to the believer being persecuted but being relieved or receiving reward for with standing the aggravation.
Jesus said, (John 15:20 KJV) �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.�
As I quoted McGee before� they are Be-atitudes not Do-atitudes! To me that means that you will develop these attitudes as you grow in the Lord. They are not something that you pick to work on.
Memory verse for today:
(Rom 5:1 KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
May You Be Blessed by the Holy Spirit to Overflowing!
Bye for Now!
