When Jesus presented the final beatitude, He said something a little shocking if you take a moment to really think about it. The word “blessed” in the beatitudes means “Happy and to be envied.” Yet Jesus said that those who are persecuted – and even martyred – for the faith are blessed.
We often think that those who God considers blessed in this world are the exact opposite of this … those who are popular, those who are well off. But God looks at things differently, and as we grow into a more mature faith we begin to learn this.
As we have seen in the previous beatitude studies, they teach a progression of maturity starting with salvation itself and the foundation of growth in the first two. As they continue, we learn that developing meekness creates an enduring faith, and hungering and pursuing righteousness results in the heart being purified. And we can’t forget learning to be merciful toward others, and learning what it is to be a peacemaker and bring others into the faith.
Video Version of This Study
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All this leads up to the final beatitude.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Now when we are new to the faith, or when we are immature, we may still have to face reviling and persecution because of our faith. Particularly from unbelievers who are in our circle of friends and family, those who know where we are coming from. It is in these times that we really develop meekness, an enduring faith with deep roots.
But this final beatitude takes us beyond that. Notice that these are persecuted and accused falsely. They have grown into some level of maturity in their faith and are growing in true righteousness and purity of heart.
When they try to do the right thing simply because it IS right, they get accused of being self-righteous. Often this is because the unbeliever knows it is right, but hates the light of truth, and the right thing goes against their personal interest or preferences.
For example, a Christian manager may try to always be respectful of employees even when an employee makes a mistake, while the owner wants to belittle that employee … and so he belittles the manager who does not act the way he wants, as well.
You see, this world system is under Satan’s power and authority. Many of those who are still of this world, like the devil, hate true righteousness and those who stand for God’s truth (John 15:19; 1John 3:13). Mankind, in general, hates the light of truth. They love the darkness of their sin and don’t want light to shine on them.
But when a believer is striving to live right, they are light in the world as we read in Matthew 5:13-16. They are like salt, a natural preservative. Ever got salt in an open wound …. ouch! And that is why unbelievers hate the truth, because it burns and hurts their comfortable lies and sin, and they strike out at the perceived source, the believer.
As believers, we are called to be lights in this dark world, to lift up Christ and His righteousness. People should see us learning and growing, living the beatitudes. This is a testimony for and against the world. It is a testimony for the world, that some might be drawn to the light and be saved.
It is a testimony against the dark world, demonstrating that God’s coming judgment on them is just (2 Thess 1:5-12). When people hate and persecute genuine righteousness, they reveal the condition of their own hearts and show why God’s judgment is deserved.
Revelation 12:11 says that the saints overcame the Antichrist, and by extension, the antichrist system in the world, “By the blood of the Lamb (Jesus), by the word of their testimony (living the beatitudes and proclaiming Christ), and because they did not love their lives even unto death.”
Some might wonder if they could endure persecution and martyrdom. Others may declare confidently that they would never stumble, never deny Christ.
John 13: 36-38 gives us a perfect picture of this. During the last supper, Jesus said He was going away, where the disciples could not yet follow. Peter declared, “I will lay down my life for You.” He was confident in his own strength that he would stand.
Jesus told him, “I tell you the truth, this night you will deny me three times before the rooster crows.” And that is what happened. We might think, “If the apostle Peter fell, how do I stand a chance.”
When the time comes, we will not have to rely on our own strength to endure. Scripture says that in persecution, tribulation and the sword we can be more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and who gives us strength.
(Romans 8:35-39) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ. Shall Tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or the sword? As it is written, “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are counted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. I am persuaded that … no created thing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And:
(Philippians 4:11-13) I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content … I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
After the Holy Spirit came, then Peter gained the help and strength he needed to boldly stand for Christ. About 30 years later, he also was crucified, and he considered himself to not be worthy to die the exact way Jesus did and asked to be crucified upside down. His request was granted.
God will give us the strength WHEN we need it.
The very first beatitude said blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They recognize their spiritual poverty and come to Christ in faith. This is the beginning of salvation, and we become children of God. We have a place for us in eternity.
Scripture describes a number of crowns and rewards for believers, some of which are conditional. From beginning to end, the Beatitudes describe the work of God in a life surrendered to Him. The world may see persecution as defeat, but Jesus says those who endure for His sake are blessed, happy, to be envied, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs and great is their reward in heaven.
