Persecuted out of the World

Do you have a desire to be right, and do right? I don't mean “be right” in the sense of being a know-it-all, but rather to have your very existence be the right way, to be what you are supposed to be. To choose the right thing and reject what is wrong. God is preparing somewhere special for you, an eternal city for you and all those who feel the same way as you.

You have probably realized by now that not everyone feels like you do. Most people don't care about right or wrong, and live merely by their senses, slaves to whatever they feel at the moment (Deuteronomy 12:8-9). Those same people are likely the ones that have given you the most trouble in your life.

Shunned, castigated, disparaged, ignored, persecuted... all we have experienced these at the hands of those who do not wish to be righteous. We are different than other people and we are made to feel that way in no uncertain way. We who have that desire within us, to be right, to do right, will never find a comfortable home in this age, on this earth. But this is not the end. You don't need despair, as though somehow things just aren't fair and there is no answer... because, there is a love for you deeper and wider and more eternal than any evil thing you have endured for wanting righteousness.

There have been others like us that have gone through so much worse, for the same reason. In their days, their desire for righteousness led them into the wilderness, as they were persecuted out of their very own cities and peoples. But it was the world that was not worthy of them.

They, and you, may feel as though you are not worthy to live in this world, that you don't measure up to its requirements. And that is true, in a way—for this world, this present age, does not value what is right. It lifts up evil, and mocks good. It prizes arrogance and rejects humility. It clenches its fist toward its Maker, and walks in the stubbornness of its fleshly mind (Romans 1:18-32). But this world is not worthy of those who are driven out of it for their clinging to trust in that Maker.

³⁵Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. ³⁷They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated ³⁸(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth. Hebrews 11:35-38

This portion of scripture, especially the last part, has always deeply affected me. They were so despised that they had to wear the skins of animals and live on the outskirts of civilization. They had no place to call home while they lived here on earth.

But, glory to God, that was not the end! Their sojourn in this life was a testimony to us and to all who have seen the end of their life, that it was proof of the faith in their hearts—Yahweh was their Lord, what He said was true, and anything and anyone contrary to that did not cause them to waver. For that, they suffered rejection from this world and its people. And for that, they obtained a far better reward, place in a city to come whose designer and builder was God Himself.

¹³These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. ¹⁶But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

Do not despair. You are not alone. A remnant has preceded you, with a like mind, whose heart is pure toward God. There is also a group of people just like you, alive on earth right now (1 Peter 5:8-10). Yes, you make mistakes along the way, but your heart is true, it is set toward Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth. Your trust is in Him, for He made all of these things.

Although this world and its rulers have rejected its Maker, and you will find no lasting residence here, know that this is indeed only a sojourn. Those who have come before us are waiting for us. Together, we will complete the people that God has foreseen, a people formed to be a Bride for His Son (Titus 2:11-14).

³⁹These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn’t receive the promise, ⁴⁰God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40

You were never supposed to get things exactly how they were supposed to be on this earth (Romans 8:20-25). It is impossible, as sin continues to reign unto death through this age (1 Corinthians 15:26). There will never be peace here until that same Maker returns for His harvest, coming for you and all those who love Him and wait for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Those who reject this evil, cold and heartless age—for them who reject such, there is waiting a city where they will be welcomed; where they will be warmed, respected, and exalted.

By the Name of Jesus, we are saved out of this sham of a world! Through His grace, we need not flounder in this sad substitute that God never intended as though this is all there is... but we wait, in patient faith, for that City whose Mayor is proud to have us a citizen and resident: Yahweh Himself! Keep the faith, this is only a short journey!