The Only Pathway
To True Happiness

Chapter 9

Happy are those who are
persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:10)

At the time of Jesus' trial, when Pilate asked Him what He had done to provoke the enmity of His persecutors, Jesus simply replied, . . .

`My kingdom is not of this world.' (John 18:36)

From this we deduce that they clamored for Jesus' crucifixion, not because He had committed any crime, but only because He represented a kingdom that was founded upon principles that were contrary to the self-seeking, gain-seeking, pleasure-seeking principles of this world.

This kingdom that Jesus represents is one . . .

(1) where `justice and mercy and love are the controlling powers.' (9T218)

(2) where `there is no lordly oppression, no compulsion of manner.' (DA550)

(3) where men are called, `not to authority, but to service, the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak.' (DA550)

(4) where meekness is amongst the highest of qualifications. (RC263)

(5) where `humility is before honor,' and where `the only greatness is the greatness of humility.' (DA650; ST 05-16-92)

(6) where `the only distinction is found in devotion to the service of others.' (DA650)

Little wonder, therefore, that the principles of Jesus' kingdom were totally foreign to His persecutors, for they thrived in a world where dominance, position and self-glory were everything.

This is why . . .

`The Lord Jesus came to tear away the deceptive claims of Satan, and to reveal to the world that pride, self-sufficiency, and wrestling for the supremacy have no favor with heaven.' (RH06-21-98.8)

`Christ's work was to set before men the character of His kingdom, showing that names and position and titles are nothing, but that pure virtue and a holy character is accounted as everything in the sight of heaven. He presented before them a kingdom where human ambitions and earthly passions cannot find an entrance.' (LHU135)

Even though Jesus came to a world were intellect is glorified, and where the achievements of men are almost deified, He did not come to join us in our idol worship. Rather, He came to topple these teetering icons of man by revealing that . . .

`The highest qualification of the mind will not, cannot, supply the place of true simplicity, of genuine piety.' (2MR97)

The very life and teachings of Jesus confirm that . . .

`In the day of final reckoning, position, rank, or wealth will not altar by a hair's breadth the case of any one.' (FLB207)

Yet Jesus did not openly incite hostility. He simply lived the truth and the truth exposed the error.

`The atmosphere that surrounded his soul was so pure, so elevated, that it placed the hypocritical rabbis, priests, and rulers in their true position, and revealed them in their true character as claiming sanctity, and at the same time misrepresenting God and his truth.' (RH07-24-94)

As our perfect example, Jesus revealed that it is futile to engage the powers of darkness. He simply exposed the darkness by turning on the light - He let His light shine out through good works and kindly deeds, and the light did what argument, debate or condemnation could never do.

And this was the primary reason why Jesus was persecuted.

`Because the life of Jesus condemned evil, He was opposed, both at home and abroad.' (DA88)

And so it has always been, and so it will always be. Those who live the truth, those who stand for the truth, will always be spoken evil of, criticized and persecuted. All who ally themselves to the kingdom of God will be preyed upon by those who belong to the kingdom of this world.

`If we do our very best to present the truth in its stirring character, crossing the opinions and ideas of others, it will be misinterpreted, misapplied, and misstated, to those who are entertaining error, in order to make it appear in an objectionable light.' (1SM405)

This is why even `today men are choosing Barabbas, and saying, Crucify Christ. They will do this in the person of His saints. They will go over the same ground as the Jewish priests and rulers did in their treatment of Christ. He, the Son of God, and an innocent man, was murdered because He told men truths that it did not please them to hear.' (TM131)

Yes, nothing has changed, as it was in Jesus' day, so it is today . . .

`Men cling to their traditions, and revere their customs, and cherish hatred against those who seek to show them their error.' (DA398)

`While those who yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit begin war with themselves, those who cling to sin war against the truth and its representatives.' (DA306)

The Hallmark of Citizenship

In the light of the above, we conclude that just as Jesus was persecuted because of what He represented, so all who find an entrance into His kingdom will be persecuted because of what they represent.

In short, those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn over their sinfulness, those who are meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, those who are merciful, those who have pure motives, those who desire peace and who promote peace, will surely suffer persecution.

From the moment that we entertain a deep-seated conviction that we are sinners (poor in spirit), and we thus enter the kingdom, we can expect to attract persecution - for this, the first beatitude, is the passport into a kingdom where "the only greatness is the greatness of humility," and such a kingdom will always be despised by this world.

As we take our first faltering steps into this kingdom, we lose our citizenship of this world, and we become pilgrims who are just passing through, and from that moment we will be no more welcome in the company of the Pharisees of this age than Jesus was welcome in the company of the Pharisees of His day.

In a kingdom where self-sacrificing love is considered weakness, where humility is regarded as a social sickness, and where truth torments the unconverted soul, those who uphold the values of the Kingdom of Love will always be ridiculed and derided, for . . .

`No man can be true to principle without exciting opposition. A Christianity that is spiritual will [always] be opposed by the children of disobedience.' (DA356)

`If the Head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more his household.' (Matthew 10:25)

Yet Jesus tells us that it is all good news. He even goes so far as to declare that those who are persecuted are especially blessed. And the blessing that he pronounces upon the persecuted in Matthew 5:10 is the very same blessing that he pronounces upon the poor in spirit in the first beatitude . . . `for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'

May we assume, therefore, that just as the poor in spirit will always be unjustly persecuted, so those who are unjustly persecuted will always be poor in spirit?

All of which boils down to the fact that when we are unjustly persecuted, we can count ourselves as being particularly blessed, for the persecution will serve as a sure sign that we have stepped over into a kingdom that is ruled by a King who delights in being a loving Servant to His "poor in spirit" subjects. 

`Therefore, so far from causing grief, persecution should bring joy to the disciples of Christ, for it is evidence that they are following in the steps of their Master.' (MB29)

Looking Ahead

Knowing what we know about this matter, we need have no doubts as to what lies ahead.

`The servants of Christ must expect that they will be reviled, misrepresented, maligned, persecuted and oppressed.' (ST11-14-95.4)

As it was with Jesus, so it will be with God's children, though they are instruments of God's peace, they will be considered as serious threats to worldly peace.

`Those who are faithful sentinels will be charged by the world as being the disturbers of its peace, they will be charged with stirring up strife and with creating divisions. But they will only be bearing the reproach that fell on Christ.' (RH07-24-94)

And behind it all will be an evil mastermind . . . `demon intelligence, by culture, will rend and destroy man formed in the divine similitude because he [Satan's ambassador] cannot control the conscience of his brother and make him disloyal to God's holy law.' (19MR164)

As a direct result, . . .

`Multitudes who are too unbelieving to accept the sure word of prophecy will receive with unquestioning credulity an accusation against those who dare to reprove fashionable sins. This spirit will increase more and more.' (DA459)

The tragedy of it all is that the persecution will be fanned from within the church ranks as much as from without our ranks for, sadly, . . .

`A jealous regard of what is termed theological truth often accompanies a hatred of genuine truth as made manifest in life. The darkest chapters of history are burdened with the record of crimes committed by bigoted religionists.' (DA309.2)

Yet we cannot expect that it should be otherwise because, . . .

`Between righteousness and sin, love and hatred, truth and falsehood, there is an irrepressible conflict. When one presents the love of Christ and the beauty of holiness, he is drawing away the subjects of Satan's kingdom, and the prince of evil is aroused to resist it. Persecution and reproach await all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ.' (MB29)

Hence the assurances of Scripture:

(1) `All who would live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.' (2 Tim 3:12, KJV)

(2) `Whoever shuns evil becomes a prey [for] the wicked detest the upright.' (Isaiah 59:15; Proverbs 29:27)

(3) `Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.' (Proverbs 29:10)

The really sad part is that Satan never has any shortage of volunteers to lift up his banner and to offer their services as His persecuting agents. 

`Cain's slaying his brother Abel represents the wicked who will be envious of the righteous and will hate them because they are better than themselves. They will be jealous of the righteous and will persecute and put them to death because their right-doing condemns their sinful course.' (SR54)

We do need to pray, however, that God will help us to see that our evangelistic duties extend even into those times when we are bowed down under the most bitter attacks of the enemy. This is of vital importance because . . .

`Through trials and persecution, the glory - character - of God is revealed in His chosen ones. On every occasion when persecution takes place, those who witness it make decisions either for Christ or against Him.' (MB31; DA630)

Hence the counsel of Jesus . . .

`Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.' (Romans 12:14)

`Pray and work, and work and pray. But let none act rashly. Learn as never before that you must be meek and lowly in heart. You must not bring a railing accusation against any, whether individuals or churches. Learn to deal with minds as Christ did. Sharp things must sometimes be spoken; but be sure that the Holy Spirit of God is abiding in your heart before you speak the clear-cut truth; then let it cut its way. You are not to do the cutting.' (2SM370/1)

As trying and as challenging as this may be, we do have the assurance that a Heavenly Comforter will always be close at hand.

`Those who are called to suffer for Christ's sake, who have to endure misapprehension and distrust, even in their own home, may find comfort in the thought that Jesus has endured the same. He is moved with compassion for them. He bids them find companionship in Him, and relief where He found it, in communion with the Father.' (DA327)

`If he permits me to endure persecution, he will give me grace and the comfort of his presence, so that his name shall be thereby glorified.' (RH05-12-96)

The Persecuted Healer

A careful study of Scripture reveals that there was one time above all others when Jesus faced the most stinging opposition and the most bitter persecution, and that was after he had performed acts of healing.

This is understandable, for Satan is the great destroyer of life and he simply hates anything that promotes healing. Little wonder, therefore, that Satan always incites opposition to the message of health reform that God has entrusted to His church. The arch-fiend knows all too well that . . .

`True religion and the laws of health go hand in hand' and that `health reform is a branch of the special work of God for the benefit of His people.' (CH445; CD25)

The evil one surely knows that . . . 

`There is an intimate relationship between the mind and the body, and in order to reach a high standard of moral and intellectual attainment the laws that control our physical being must be heeded.' (PP601)

Hence Satan's determined opposition to the health message, for he delights in the fact that . . .

`The Spirit of God cannot come to our help, and assist us in perfecting Christian characters, while we are indulging our appetites to the injury of health.' (CD57)

And this is one reason why evil angels rejoice when we bring illness upon ourselves, for they know all too well that . . .

`A diseased body and disordered intellect, because of continual indulgence in hurtful lust, make sanctification of the body and spirit impossible.' (Te147)

Thus it is that those who oppose the health message play into the hands of Satan, for he is only too happy when God's children are kept ignorant of the fact that . . .

`Those who in the face of light and truth destroy mental, moral, and physical health by indulgence of any kind will lose heaven.' (Con79)

It is only for the good of the world, therefore, that God has given us a health message, and it is only for our own benefit that we should keep ourselves ever reminded of the fact that . . .

`Transgression of physical law is transgression of the moral law; for God is as truly the author of physical laws as He is the author of the moral law.' (COL347)

This is why, . . .

`Our first duty, one which we owe to God, to ourselves, and to our fellow man, is to obey the laws of God, which include the laws of health.' (3T164)

Obviously this is a matter of primary importance - especially if we wish one day to stand as commandment keepers and to thus vindicate the law of God and the character of God, for . . .

`It is just as much a sin to violate the laws of our being as it is to break one of the ten commandments, we cannot do either without breaking God's law.' (2T70, 71)

This is why all who are looking to live forever must face up to the truth and realise that . . . 

`Our only hope of eternal life is through bringing the appetites and the passions into subjection to the will of God.' (DA122)

`This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people.' (CD161)

Understanding the importance of the health message, therefore, and the gravity of our situation should we continue to take this message for granted, we can appreciate why it is that the father of lies spares no effort in trying to discourage and to misrepresent anyone who makes a stand for the gospel truth in regard to health reform. Just as he had his agents on hand to discourage and to discredit Jesus when He healed people, so it is that Satan has his agents today who will ensure that . . .

`All who leave the common track of custom, and advocate health reform, will be opposed, accounted mad, insane, and radical.' (2T377)

With every effort that is made to revive an interest in health reform, therefore, we must expect a negative backlash for, . . .

`When the Lord works through human instrumentalities, when men are moved with power from on high, Satan leads his agents to cry, "Fanaticism!" and to warn people not to go to extremes. The manifestation of God's renewing grace on sinful men causes angels to rejoice, but often this work has, through unbelief, been termed fanaticism, and the messenger through whom God has worked has been spoken of as having zeal that is not according to knowledge.' (GW170,171)

Let all be warned, therefore, that when the banner of truth in regard to health reform is raised, we are hoisting the banner of life, and we are opening the way for God's children to be sanctified. This is the special work that we have been called upon to do today, `to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord.' (MM289). And because this is such a special and such a vitally important work, it will always attract persecution - sometimes even from the most unexpected quarters. 

Satan's hope, of course, will be that God's messengers will become discouraged under the blast of persecution - but our steps must not falter. All who believe that we are living in the last days of earth's history need to understand and to accept that . . .

`Our habits of eating and drinking show whether we are of the world or among the number whom the Lord by His mighty cleaver of truth has separated from the world.' (CD58)

When the persecution does come, therefore, and we are severely criticized and mocked because of our eating and living habits, let us not retaliate . . . let us rather rejoice, for our habits of eating and drinking show that we have crossed over into God's kingdom - and persecution only confirms this fact. At such times let us cherish the thought that . . .

`Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.' (2 Corinthians 4:17)

And so, dear reader, we close this study on a challenging note. Realizing that we can do nothing without Jesus, may this challenge inspire us to flee to His word, that He might take control of our hearts, and that he might do for us that which we cannot do for ourselves. God will help us. 

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In the light of this study, the reader is urged to consider the feature at our outreach site entitled A Brand New You.