If you’re a Christian, expect it. That is unless you hide your Christianity and live outwardly as the world does. Jesus told His disciples they hated Him, so they’ll hate them also. “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 this world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18,19). That statement by Jesus applies to us also, as we are all His disciples in this age. In these last days, we must prepare for ever increasing hatred of Christians and Christian values. Jesus put it this way in His Olivet discourse about the days just preceding His coming and following right after we see the ‘beginnings of birth pangs’; “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” (Matthew 24:9). He also said this to those who will be testifying in His name; “And you will be hated by all for My names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22). Most assuredly, one of the things we must endure till He comes is hatred by the world. I, of course, could give you many examples of this hatred rearing its ugly head in our day from public ostracism, banning of Christian discourse, and jailing of individuals for public preaching from the bible. And that in so called countries that supposedly espouse free speech. In much of the world, preaching and teaching about Jesus leads to imprisonment and even death. And as the great tribulation approaches, it will get worse, much worse.
But Christian, as you go through these times of hate from the world, always remember this: “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven.” (Luke 6:22-23)
Maranatha, Jim