They Hate Me – So They’ll Hate You
They Hate Me – So They’ll Hate You
By Dennis Huebshman
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated Me first.” (John 15:18) Also, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But they no longer have any excuse for their sin. The one who hates Me, hates My Father too.” (John 15:22-23) (All emphasis mine)
It’s amazing to some people that a nation that was built on a platform of “Freedom of Religion” and other rights, has people that adamantly want “Freedom From Religion”, and want to trample down everyone else’s right to serve the Lord as they wish. Thing is, everyone is free to believe as they like, so why all the fuss? More on this later.
In 1 John 3:7-8, “Little Children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous. (8) The one who practices sin is the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was revealed; to destroy the works of the devil.” This is a scary thought for those who won’t accept Jesus.
Another note; 1 John 4:2-3, “By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses Jesus as the Christ (Messiah), who has come in the flesh, is from God, (3) but every Spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from God, and this is the Spirit of the anti-christ which you have heard is coming and is now already in the world.”(Written around 90 A.D.) Continuing; 1 John 4:15, “If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God resides in him and he in God.”
Two more; 1 John 2:23 and 1 John 5:12, “Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either. The person who confesses the Son has the Father. (5:12) The one who has the Son has eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have eternal life.”
All these verses are presented to make one statement; if a person has Jesus in their heart, they also have the Father, and by extension the Holy Spirit. To not accept Jesus is to turn down the free gift of Salvation that’s offered, and to say you will cover your own sins when the time comes. That’s satanic arrogance, and the only outcome of this is the Great White Throne and the Lake of Fire forever.
Jesus spoke of Christians being persecuted and hated, and lawlessness will increase so much that the love of many will grow cold. He also told of “many false prophets” that will appear. (Matthew 24:3-14 contains the whole prophecy) Paul backs all this up with a whole list of anti-christ / anti-god activities in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. There have been these things in this world from the beginning, but what Jesus, Paul, John and others spoke of are to increase drastically near the end of time just before the Tribulation years. Just trying to keep up with today’s evil activity, whether faux or real news, is like following end-time Bible prophecy, and it’s evident anything Christian is in the cross-hairs.
If this were a major movement in America involving a majority of the people, that would be one thing. Problem is, the ones that have all the “alphabet” letters along with the totally atheist groups are in the minority of the total population. They just make enough noise so that the ones in charge will want to placate them to try and have peace and quiet. Won’t work. Political correctness is disastrous as it’s being mis-applied.
Satan realizes his time of control here is getting shorter and he’s pulling out all the stops. He is fully aware of those who totally belong to him – they refuse to accept Jesus, but rely on what this world has to offer. He also knows who belongs to the Savior, and is trying everything to shut us down. He is behind such groups as antifa and the “extreme left” that promotes violence if they don’t get their way. They have bought into all the lies that satan is famous for, and are under demonic control. Isn’t it amazing they wear black and cover their faces when doing their worst.
People who are Christian business owners, who never had problems in the past, are being singled out and ridiculous charges are being brought against them because they won’t violate their religious beliefs. Bakers, photographers and florists are just a few who have been targeted. Sad part is, there are other people in those professions who would accommodate the alternate lifestyles, but that just won’t do. There have even been people who traveled from out of their areas to seek out and attempt to shut down Christian businesses.
Even though a certain baker has received a favorable court ruling that said he was exercising his Constitutional right of freedom of worship, the activists aren’t satisfied and are trying to get local government and another liberal judge to overturn the favorable ruling for a harsher one. One family on the west coast has just about lost everything they own due to court costs, and they have received death threats because they wouldn’t produce something that they feel would violate their relationship with the Lord.
The activists call Christians “haters”, but who is actually doing the hating? It’s groups like “Freedom From Religion” and others that go around the country looking for people they can persecute. This has only become prevalent in the last decade or so, and the animosity is increasing. Why does an organization from Minnesota care about a Nativity display in a small town in Texas? Why does a personal message board on the wall outside an Air Force Cadet’s room with the inscription, “Galatians 2:20” almost get him expelled for posting what some have called “hate speech”?
The ones that are calling the believers “haters” want us shut down because they don’t want any form of “conscience” around that may tell them their lifestyle is sinful. It’s the same reason our Savior was crucified; the religious leaders of the day hated Him because He told them they were hypocrites. They should have been able to figure out who He really was as they had all the scrolls and other materials from Isaiah, Zechariah, Daniel and others that pointed out this was their Messiah who was trying to save them.
Philippians 2:9-11, “As a result, God exalted Him, and gave Him the name that is above every name, (10) so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow in Heaven, on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
This is not an “if” type of action, but an “absolute” promise from God the Father. It will seem for a while that the anti-Christians will be winning and after the Rapture, they will almost be ecstatic that we’re gone. They will be led to believe through a deluding influence, (2 Thessalonians 2:11) that they can relax and live any way they wish without “haters” around to call them out. It will nearly be a free-for-all!
Just one problem with this, there will come one person who will secure a peace treaty between Israel and all it’s surrounding neighbors, and from that moment on there will be a 7-year period of escalating Tribulation. The anti-christ will run this world as directed by satan, and anyone who refuses to worship him will be martyred. People will still be able to call out to Jesus and be saved, but at the cost of their very lives. Just to be Jewish will put a person in jeopardy. The ones who pledge allegiance to the anti-christ and take his mark will not be forgiven and will end up in eternal punishment forever. They will be aware every minute of it that they chose their “own way”.
With all the turmoil of today, it’s more than obvious we are in the time right on the brink of the calling-up of all believers. We do not know the exact day or hour, but Jesus said we will know the season, and it’s here today. (Matthew 24:33)
While there may be time left, consider the value of your eternal soul vs a short time of perceived pleasure here. Heaven or Hell are the only two outcomes. Choose the world, and you get satan, and to be with him forever in the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:11-15) You won’t have to worry about him though as he will be in his own deserved personal torment, just as you will be, and he won’t be tempting anyone again.
Or, call on Jesus, confess you know you’re a sinner, and ask His forgiveness Tell Him you would like the gift He gracefully offered us with His sacrifice at Calvary. Let Him know you believe He died and then was raised by the Father so sin and death could be conquered forever. (Romans 10:9) He will not turn you down, and if you ask before He calls up His Church (all believers), you will miss the horrible Tribulation and be with Him. God is granting us a bit more time in order for everyone to call out to Him. He doesn’t want to see us fail. (2 Peter 3:9) However, He won’t wait much longer, and when the Tribulation gets underway full force, a lot of people are going to die from any number of miserable ways.
It’s your choice. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit loves you and are hoping you will ask for your free-will to choose eternal life. Before it’s too late – Call on Jesus. There will be no hate in Heaven.
Shalom!