“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” John 15:18-21.
H. A. Ironside describes the world as; the order or system of humanity that has turned its back on God.
He is not alone in describing the world in this manner, since many conservative expositors use similar descriptions.
Communism is at war with God, being an atheistic system. Atheism is a hatred of God, not a belief that he does not exist. As one atheist described themselves, they are anti-theist. They are finally coming out of the closet.
Socialism which is based on evolution is also an enemy of God, setting man up as the pinnacle of evolution, and the one to steer the course of history and the earth. The misery caused by socialism is the first step to the carnage of communism.
That man will pull himself up by his own bootstraps and create a paradise on earth without God is the arrogant sentiment of all of the isms in the world.
All of the religions of the world are opposed to Christ and God the Father. In fact they will unite (all except Judaism) at the beginning of the tribulation into one world church and persecute the followers of Christ (people who accept Jesus as savior during the tribulation).
In the middle of the tribulation the Antichrist will annihilate the world church setting himself up as God incarnate. He will then intensify the persecution of the Christians and attempt to extinguish the Jewish race.
“The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.” Revelation 17:4-6.
The woman represents the united world church to come, and being drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus signifies great persecution, which will be increased still more by the Antichrist; also known as the beast or 666.
This subject is covered in greater detail in three posts on the book of Revelation chapter 17, posted on 2-14-17, 2-18-17, and 2-23-17.
The media of late has shown great antagonism toward Christians, casting them as extremist who want to stop the progressives in their quest to make this a fair and ideal socialist nation.
We are extremist for being opposed to abortion for anything other than rape, incest, and a danger to the life of the mother. And granted, there are others who oppose all abortion.
It is extreme to be opposed to homosexual marriage which will clog divorce courts for years to come, and completely destroy the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. This further ruins the concept of family which children need to grow into productive citizens.
This throws the doors open to incestuous marriages, which are now regulated by law. Marriage between a pedophile and a child, no matter what sex or how young, also forbidden by law.
Marriages arranged by the state for the purposes of eugenics. Some scholars are already saying that children belong to the state; which would give them the right to match children for eugenic breeding, or choose their careers as they do in communist countries.
Christians are opposed to the sexualisation of school children, even to the elementary level, by teaching them about condoms, homosexual relationships, and encouraging promiscuity.
This indoctrination opens children up to the dangers of being molested, things which liberals are not concerned with.
Christians are opposed to the antagonism to Christianity being driven into the minds of school children, and the open reception to all other religions particularly Islam.
Schools stress amorality, godlessness, and a hate for anything other than what they are taught by the system. Children are taught everything except what they need to function in the world; reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Christians are also opposed to the trivialization of the U. S. Constitution or to fanciful interpretations of it.
They are even more opposed to the demeaning of Christianity in its role in building a godly country; which is why we are the most powerful nation in the world, not because of capitalism, or a powerful army, or a proud and indomitable spirit.
Christians are opposed to the legalization of illicit drugs, prostitution, gambling, euthanasia, killing of babies who survived abortion, and using aborted babies for research for commercial use.
All of these things were illegal fifty years ago and the nation was doing just fine – until the liberals decided to fix something that was not broken – completely ignoring the sin nature, which is the reason that this nation, Christian, or liberal can never be a paradise on earth with men in control.
How do these Christian extremist subvert the liberal humanist agenda? Well, they vote, they use their Constitutional right to peaceably assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
They also use their freedom of speech and of the press, all within their First Amendment rights, and all labeled hate speech by liberals.
While I cannot speak for all Christians, and all may not agree with all of these things, many will agree with most of them. We are not extremists, which is the lie put out by the ruler of this world who also dictates liberal policies.
It is not extreme to want a peaceful, righteous nation that honors God, who in turn will honor the nation.
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4.
There are many other things of the world that could be mentioned, but the point has been made.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18.
The Lord brings the disciples into remembrance of the many times they had witnessed the animosity of the religious leaders, civic leaders, and the people in general; something that we too have seen numerous times in this study in John.
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:12-19.
The flip side of the coin is given in the first sentence of verse 19.
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own.” John 15:19.
Not to say that the world embraces all unbelievers, for it seems that man’s primary goal in life is to kill, torture, and increase the misery of his fellow creatures; in fact the only thing men seem reluctant to kill is animals.
But mostly it is a bloodlust, which prefers killing the innocent and the helpless because they love their screams of terror, and it is also safer to kill the helpless. Have you ever heard of a serial killer or madman killing, drug dealers, pimps, gang bangers, or mobsters?
Many folks like to think that there is some good in everyone, I agree, but it is the sin nature in men that slowly sucks the life out of that goodness, leaving only emptiness for the world to fill with its offal.
“Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” Ecclesiastes 7:29.
It seems quite common in this country to turn to self-help books or seminars in an effort to become a better person, but you cannot teach away the sin nature.
This nature is devious, and when you think you have mastered it, it comes out in a different form. God’s word tells us that you cannot learn this away, it is something only He can deal with, and it entails giving us a new nature.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
“But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” Galatians 6:14-15.
So, the world rejects Christians because we do not think as they do because of a new nature in Christ.
And it is the sin nature which is in agreement with Satan causing men to reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The world is in chaos because it rejects Christ. Nevertheless, in spite of man’s murderous nature, they do accept their own.
“Remember the word that I said to you. ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20.
“But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake…” John 15:21a.
These things did come true for the disciples; all of them were martyred except for the Apostle John. Five were crucified, Philip, Matthew, Peter, Bartholomew, and Andrew. Even the Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, was eventually beheaded.
John himself was banished to the island of Patmos for his preaching of Christ. With the intention, I believe, of working an old man to death; but he did not die there, he was later released and it is said he died of old age in his nineties.
Persecution of the disciples is also mentioned in the Lord’s discourse on the destruction of the temple. Two of these passages are quoted below.
“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. And you will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.” Mark 13:9.
“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.” Luke 21:12.
These passages foretell the persecution of the disciples, but let it be known that they also apply to ourselves and our own age. There are many Christians who are now being cruelly persecuted in other countries, especially Muslim and Hindu dominated areas.
Persecution is increasing in this country too, and unless Christians act as a body to resist the influx of evil in our own government by being united in prayer against evil in state, local, and federal government and the media, we too are doomed to follow them.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Proverbs 29:2.
Many of those in authority over us are guilty of more than three of the things God hates (shown below) and some are guilty of all seven abominations.
If they are not voted out of office America will be partaking of their sin and joined in agreement with these accursed people.
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19.
If we do not vote knowledgably for what is right, and through letters and petitions make our wishes known, we will find ourselves outcasts in our own country.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings [presidents] and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
The World Will Hate You, John 15:18-21 taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 4-23-13, updated on 2-24-18.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.