> General Discussions
Persecution
Wanda:
At this time we remain in the wilderness somewhere between Egypt and the Promised Land.
And it is in this wilderness that the accuser now comes to persecute the woman (church)
Who is this church?
Revelation 12:12 says,
12 For this reason, rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms
This is a spiritual persecution that I contend with daily, and some days are harder than others. We are in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil, not in a battle against the physical powers. What could be harder than this?
Wanda:
The following is from an older thread where Dave from Tennessee posted something I think will help in the understanding of persecution. Im about half way through the study on the scriptures he suggested, and think it's extremely benifical. Thanks Dave!
Dave
I'm just going to post these here for anybody without e-sword or such:
Persecute
G1377
διώκω
diōkō
Thayer Definition:
1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away
2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after
2a) to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal
2b) to pursue (in a hostile manner)
3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one
3a) to persecute
3b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
4) without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone
5) metaphorically, to pursue
5a) to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; compare the base of G1169 and G1249)
Citing in TDNT: 2:229, 177
That's what the word means. We know by the "persecution" events what actually took place. Here's a list of scripture where the word appears. I challenge you to look them all up and read around them as well, and to "replace" the word "persecution" or "persecute" with the main "definitions" above. There's 48 of them. That's a lot, I know...but this topic has come up so frequently over the years I think a good study is worth it.
Let's take this word out of the mouths of preachers. Let's own it.
G1377
διώκω
diōkō
Total KJV Occurrences: 48
persecuted, 13
Mat_5:10, Mat_5:12, Joh_15:20, Act_7:52, Act_22:4, Act_26:11, 1Co_4:12, 1Co_15:9, 2Co_4:9, Gal_1:13, Gal_1:23, Gal_4:29, Rev_12:13
follow, 8
Luk_17:23, Rom_14:19, 1Co_14:1, Phi_3:12, 1Th_5:15, 1Ti_6:11, 2Ti_2:22, Heb_12:14
persecute, 8
Mat_5:11, Mat_5:44, Mat_10:23, Mat_23:34, Luk_21:12, Joh_5:16, Joh_15:20, Rom_12:14
persecutest, 6
Act_9:4-5 (2), Act_22:7-8 (2), Act_26:14-15 (2)
persecution, 3
Gal_6:11-12 (2), 2Ti_3:12
suffer, 3
Gal_6:11-12 (2), 2Ti_3:12
followed, 2
Rom_9:30-31 (2)
after, 1
Rom_14:19
ensue, 1
1Pe_3:11
given, 1
Rom_12:13
persecuting, 1
Phi_3:6
press, 1
Phi_3:14
Wanda:
Here's the first scripture listed.
Matthew 5:10
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
With substituded definitions
Matthew 5:10
10 Blessed are those who press on to reach the goal because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Or
Blessed are those who eagerly seek after righteousness for their's is the kingdom of heaven.
Dave in Tenn:
Wanda, you may well be right that that is a better translation of that verse. I say so because Jesus is preaching/teaching his disciples. I noticed a few months ago that what we know as "the beatitudes" are split between "blessed are THEY" and "blessed are YOU". In the previous "chapter", multitudes from all over were pressing towards Jesus and he retreated with his disciples to the mountain. I think this is the "they" Jesus was talking ABOUT, which spiritually signifies the world He came to save. In talking about "THEM", he said "Blessed are THEY which hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Is there a spiritual scriptural match to that statement? I think so...in Romans. "...the creation is groaning...".
I do NOT mean to imply that the "YOU" are not subject to harassment, persecution, insults, put to flight, etc. They will haul YOU out of the synagogue and kill YOU thinking they are doing God a favor. Stephen and Paul faced genuine persecution (and Saul dished it out as well). But I think we should let each scripture say what it says and not always conflate the meanings.
Dave in Tenn:
--- Quote from: Doug on October 03, 2019, 12:57:21 PM ---Ray stated that persecution can only come from others. Would that include Satan?
In my life only a few times have someone mocked me for my believes. It was only words and they only have the power to hurt if you allow it. I think Ray considered people attaching him for his faith as persecution. Somehow I see it as having to be much harsher.
Doug
--- End quote ---
People lied about Ray, set traps for him, and did other things that I think count as "persecution" beyond attacking his "faith". At least some of the ones I know about didn't come from those in the regular churches.
There may be a division of labor between Satan and his ministers, but I'm not too bothered with it. There has probably never been a time someone has mocked me for my beliefs, but that may be because I am not "mockable". I'm often wrong, and (when graced) open to change, but I don't hold these things solely in my head...they are burned into my life, most of which was lived before I knew any of them. Hurtful words don't cut that deep, and I have much bigger fish to fry than defending myself.
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