If Ye Suffer For Righteousness’ Sake, Happy Are Ye: And Be Not Afraid Of Their Terror, Neither Be Troubled - Part 1891

"Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed." (I Samuel 2:3)

As we know from the New Testament, Jesus paid the ultimate price, having shed His precious holy blood once and for all on an old rugged cross so that we could experience salvation, and be filled completely with His righteousness. It is because of His abundant love for us that our cups (our hearts, our mind and soul) can overflow with His joy and peace, even during times of adversity.

As the psalmist David points out -- "Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (Psalm 23:5)

Thus, we can confidently state that JESUS is our Lord God and Saviour, for He came to take away the sins of this world. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us! (Matthew 1:21-23) After His kindness and love, God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)

Moreover, to wit, God was in Christ, reconciling the world back unto Himself. In Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) And just in case we miss it, the identity of our Lord God clothed in flesh as a Son -- so that He could become our Saviour is confirmed again by Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost), when he said that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36; I Timothy 3:16; John 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 1:8)

The Son of man is still Lord of the Sabbath. The first Adam, earthy, but the second, the Lord of glory.  Yes, God came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13) He came into this world and personally delivered His free gift of salvation. Free to us, but at such a cost to Him, and so much so, that the scriptures tell us how often He must have grieved at the thought of having to sacrifice His humanity on a cross, in order to get our attention.

Concerning His own people, Jesus said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!" (Luke 13:34; Matthew 23:37)

Thankfully, because of His sacrifice, we no longer have to be separated from God's love. By grace are ye saved by faith, and that not of ourselves -- it is the gift of God! Therefore, when we ask Jesus to become Lord and Saviour -- the Christ in our hearts, and go on to become clothed in His righteousness through water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus, we find our Redeemer -- to whom we were once servants, but now He calls friends! No longer servants or slaves to the bondage and Babylon(s) of this earth, because the Lord Jesus has set us free to stand fast in His liberty. (Galatians 5:1)

Thus, as a consequence of our heart desiring to press into His purpose for our life, JESUS delivers us away from the traditions and form associated with organized religion, instead bringing us into a closer and more personal relationship with Him! It is in this context that we have been instructed to come out from among them so that we do not also suffer their plagues. To come out from those things that are worldly wherein the power of God and His precious holy Name -- the Name of JESUS -- is either denied and/or blasphemed.

Further to this point, the Word states, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord, "and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you ..." (II Corinthians 6:17)

And, from Revelation -- And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." (Revelation 18:4-5)

You see, as it currently stands, the Lord is calling us into a personal relationship with Him, and to be guided into all truth by His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost -- which will lead and guide those who love Him into all truth. What is truth? Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17) 

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) 

For clarity, Jesus goes on in John 14 to inform His disciples that if they have seen Him -- Jesus -- they have seen the Father. (John 14:6-120 Jesus also said, "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) But as we know now, He had to hide His identity from those in the world so that the New Testament, the last will and testament of our Lord and Saviour could be ushered in. (Hebrews 9:8, 14-18) For had these known whom Jesus really was, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

It is for this reason, while there is still time to heed His call of love, His invitation to one and all to come unto Him, that I encourage you to behold His glory, the only begotten of the Father., who was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. (John 1:10-11; John 1:1-18) 

Why now? Because the time is short. The timing of Babylon falling once and for all is not that far off in the distance. In fact, the writing is on the wall. Prophecy after prophecy from the Word of God is being fulfilled. And the devil, determined to hinder and put up stumbling blocks against those who preach the gospel, is running to and fro because he knows his tomorrows are coming to a swift end. 

Is that not what Jesus Himself warned us of when He spoke about the end times? In Matthew 24, Jesus said, "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man comes.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that He shall make him ruler over all His goods." (Matthew 24:42-47; Matthew 24:1-51)

In closing, let me say that the scriptures speak of an ultimate victory and re-reward for those who love the Lord Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 6:4)

For those who remain on the fence, even still, learn from apostle Paul, who wrote: "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children) be ye also enlarged. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord, "and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty. (II Corinthians 6:11-18)

His Word dwells within us, and walks in us, and He is our God, and we His people. The Lord God Almighty is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is coming back to this earth to gather His people unto Him. His beloved, whom He has loved and cherished from the very beginning. The greatest love story every told to humankind.

Indeed, as believers, we should be "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2:13-15)

Stand in the offering plate.