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“Rejoice in persecution” sounds strange to the natural mind. Yet it is a direct command from the lips of Jesus Christ.
Let us look at what the Word of God says:
> “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
> Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
> — *Matthew 5:11–12*
Aligned with this, Peter writes:
> “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
> — *1 Peter 4:14*
And Jesus adds this solemn warning and promise:
> “All people will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
> — *Matthew 24:13*
The song you have presented is almost entirely Scripture, put into a form that can be confessed and sung. Its central theme is this:
Most believers are prepared to rejoice in blessings they can see: provision, healing, answered prayer. Far fewer are prepared to rejoice when they are insulted, hated, lied about, or rejected *because* of Christ.
Yet Jesus does not merely say, “Endure.” He says, “Rejoice and be glad.” That is not an option. It is a command.
This teaching is designed to help you understand:
### Matthew 5:11–12 – The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5 is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is speaking to His disciples, with the crowds listening (Matthew 5:1). He is not addressing the casual listener only; He is describing the character and destiny of those who truly follow Him.
The beatitudes build up in a sequence:
1. Poor in spirit.
2. Those who mourn.
3. The meek.
4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
5. The merciful.
6. The pure in heart.
7. The peacemakers.
8. Finally, those who are persecuted.
Persecution is not for the irresponsible or the careless. It is the outcome of living righteously in a hostile world.
In verses 10–12 Jesus speaks of persecution twice:
At that time, Jews in Galilee were under Roman occupation. Many longed for a Messiah who would overthrow Rome by force. Jesus instead announces a kingdom not of this world, and the character of its citizens is radically different. They are meek, pure, peacemakers—and persecuted.
To a people used to thinking, “Blessed are the powerful, the wealthy, the respected,” Jesus says, “Blessed are you when you are insulted and slandered *because of Me*.”
### 1 Peter 4:14 – Peter Writing to the Suffering Church
First Peter is written to believers scattered through regions of Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1). They are experiencing:
Peter’s main theme is: suffer *as Christians*, not as evildoers; and understand that such suffering is participation in Christ’s suffering, leading to glory.
In 1 Peter 4:12–16, he addresses “the fiery ordeal” that has come upon them. Then he says:
> “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed…” (v. 14)
He is not speaking of random insults. The reason is critical: *because of the name of Christ.* The insult marks you as identified with that Name.
Peter himself knew what it was to:
So when Peter says insult for Christ’s Name is a blessing, he speaks as a man who has lived both sides—cowardice and courage.
### Matthew 24:13 – Jesus’ End-Time Warning
Matthew 24 is Jesus’ prophetic discourse about the end of the age. He describes:
In that context, He says:
> “All people will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:9, 13 combined)
Here, persecution is not an exception at the end of the age—it is the norm for faithful believers. It is linked to endurance. Salvation is promised not to the one who started well, but to the one who *stands firm to the end*.
The early church understood this. Paul told new converts:
> “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
> — *Acts 14:22*
Modern Christianity often presents a gospel of comfort and convenience. The New Testament presents a gospel that includes the cross, rejection, and persecution for Christ’s sake—with eternal glory as the outcome.
### “Blessed” – Greek: *makarios*
The key word in Matthew 5:11 is “Blessed” (*makarios*).
*Makarios* does not merely mean “happy” as a feeling. It describes:
In classical Greek, *makarios* was used of the gods, or of the wealthy who seemed beyond normal cares. In the New Testament, it is applied to those whom God approves—even if they are poor, grieving, and persecuted.
So when Jesus says:
> “Blessed are you when people insult you…”
He is saying: At that very moment—when the insults come—you are in a state of divine favor. Heaven’s verdict over you is: “Approved. Favored. In a spiritually advantageous position.”
This is the exact opposite of how the world sees it. The world says: “If people praise you, you are blessed. If people despise you, you are cursed.” Jesus reverses that standard.
### “Persecute” – Greek: *diōkō*
The word translated “persecute” is *diōkō*.
At its root, *diōkō* means “to pursue, to chase, to drive away, to press hard after.” It is used:
The idea is not mere casual disagreement. Persecution is *active, persistent opposition*.
For believers, persecution is:
Understanding *diōkō* helps us see that persecution is part of a spiritual chase. The enemy hunts down the righteous; but in that very hunt, God places His favor, glory, and reward upon them.
### “Rejoice and be glad” – Greek: *chairō* and *agalliaō*
In Matthew 5:12, Jesus uses two verbs:
This is not forced, grim endurance. This is active, jubilant joy.
Jesus is commanding not only inward acceptance, but outward, overflowing joy—in the very moment of mistreatment for His sake.
This is supernatural. It is not produced by human temperament. It is the fruit of seeing the unseen reward.
Let us walk through the lyrics section by section, aligning them with Scripture and spiritual reality.
### 1) “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”
This is almost a direct quotation of Matthew 5:11.
Note three forms of hostility:
1. Insults – Verbal abuse, mockery, contempt.
2. Persecution – Active pressure, opposition, sometimes physical.
3. False accusations – Lies, slander, misrepresentation of your motives and actions.
The condition is: “because of Me.” That phrase defines legitimate persecution from mere personal conflict.
Many believers suffer because of their own foolishness, pride, or lack of love. That is not persecution for Christ’s sake. Peter distinguishes this:
> “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
> — *1 Peter 4:15–16*
The test is:
The song firmly anchors the blessing to persecution *because of Christ*.
### 2) “Rejoice and be glad—great is your reward in heaven. They persecuted the prophets before you in the same way. Rejoice, your reward is great.”
Here we see three powerful truths.
#### a) A Command: “Rejoice and be glad”
Rejoicing is not dependent on emotional comfort. It is obedience to Jesus. The apostles understood this:
> “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
> — *Acts 5:41*
Their backs were still sore from beating, yet their spirits were exulting. Why? Because they understood the spiritual meaning of their suffering—it was identification with Christ.
#### b) A Certainty: “Great is your reward in heaven”
“Reward” – Greek: *misthos* – wages, reimbursement, what is due for labor.
God is a rewarder:
> “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He *rewards* those who earnestly seek Him.”
> — *Hebrews 11:6*
Persecution for Christ’s sake is an investment into your eternal account. The reward is not small; Jesus says “great.” That is His valuation.
Paul echoes this:
> “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
> — *2 Corinthians 4:17*
The more intense and unjust the persecution, the greater the weight of glory it works in eternity—if we respond rightly.
#### c) A Lineage: “They persecuted the prophets before you”
Persecution places you in a prophetic line.
When you are persecuted for Christ, you are not a failure—you are in the same company as the prophets of God. This restores dignity and perspective.
### 3) “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
This reflects 1 Peter 4:14 exactly.
Here we have a deep spiritual reality:
The word “rests” – Greek: *anapauō* – to give rest, refresh, settle down upon. It suggests a resting presence, not a fleeting touch.
In the moment of insult for Christ’s Name:
This implies:
Stephen, when being stoned, saw “the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55–56). In his most painful, unjust moment, he had his highest revelation of Christ.
So in persecution, do not only look at the human faces and words. Look for the resting presence of the Spirit of glory.
### 4) “All people will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
This sums up Matthew 24:9, 13.
Two core truths:
#### a) Universal Hatred “Because of Me”
“All people will hate you” does not mean every individual without exception will hate every believer. It means humanity as a system, the world-order, under Satan’s influence, is fundamentally hostile to Christ and those who bear His Name.
Jesus said:
> “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first… If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also.”
> — *John 15:18, 20*
To be loved and applauded by the world while claiming to follow Christ is spiritually dangerous. James says:
> “Friendship with the world is enmity with God.”
> — *James 4:4*
The hatred “because of Me” simply reveals the underlying conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.
#### b) Endurance: “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved”
The verb “stands firm” – Greek: *hypomenō* – to remain under, to endure patiently, to stay instead of fleeing.
Salvation in this context is not a cheap, one-time decision. It is the outcome of persevering faith in the midst of pressure and hatred. Jesus speaks of the same thing elsewhere:
> “By your endurance you will gain your lives.”
> — *Luke 21:19* (ESV)
Persecution exposes what kind of faith we truly have:
The song’s repetition of this theme is critical: hatred is not the final word—salvation is, for those who stand firm.
### 5) “Rejoice when they persecute you for My sake—your reward in heaven is great.”
This gathers together the beatitude in Matthew 5:10–12:
> “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…”
Persecution + right response (rejoicing for Christ’s sake) = great heavenly reward.
Paul lived this truth:
> “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed… persecuted, but not abandoned…” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9)
> “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake…” (2 Corinthians 12:10, KJV)
He reached a place where he could *take pleasure* in persecution—not because he liked pain, but because he had learned the spiritual arithmetic: pressure now, glory then; rejection now, reward then; loss now, Christ more fully gained.
The song, by repetition, trains the believer’s mind and mouth to agree with Christ’s command: “Rejoice… your reward is great.”
The key is not merely to understand these truths intellectually, but to live them. Let us look at some practical steps.
### 1) Adjust Your Expectation
First, we must adjust our expectations about the Christian life.
Peter says:
> “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
> — *1 Peter 4:12*
So:
You might need to renounce unbiblical thinking such as:
Jesus was perfect love incarnate—and they crucified Him.
### 2) Identify the Cause: Is It Truly “Because of Christ”?
Second, we must discern the cause of our suffering.
Ask honestly:
If it is the latter, we must repent, not call it persecution. God does not reward our flesh; He rewards faithfulness to Christ.
If it is truly because of Christ:
### 3) Respond with Praise and Forgiveness
Third, we must respond in the Spirit, not in the flesh.
When persecution or insult comes:
Jesus commands:
> “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
> — *Matthew 5:44*
Paul says:
> “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.”
> — *1 Corinthians 4:12–13*
Pressure will bring to the surface what is truly within us. Decide in advance:
This is not passivity; it is spiritual warfare. You overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
### 4) Fix Your Eyes on the Reward and the Resting Glory
Fourth, we must actively fix our eyes on two invisible realities:
1. The greatness of the heavenly reward.
2. The resting of the Spirit of glory upon us.
Paul explains his secret:
> “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen… For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
> — *2 Corinthians 4:18, 17*
In the moment of insult or rejection:
This shift—from visible to invisible, from temporal to eternal—is the key to genuine rejoicing in persecution.
### 5) Make Scriptural Proclamations
Derek Prince often taught that we overcome by the Word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). Regularly proclaim these truths aloud.
Here are some sample proclamations you can use:
1. Proclamation of Blessedness in Persecution
“I am blessed when people insult me, persecute me, and say all kinds of evil against me falsely because of Christ. I rejoice and am glad, for great is my reward in heaven.” (based on Matthew 5:11–12)
2. Proclamation of the Resting Glory
“When I am insulted because of the Name of Christ, I am blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon me.” (based on 1 Peter 4:14)
3. Proclamation of Endurance and Salvation
“Though all may hate me because of Jesus, by His grace I will stand firm to the end, and I will be saved.” (based on Matthew 24:9, 13)
4. Proclamation of Joy
“I choose to rejoice when I am persecuted for Christ’s sake, for my reward in heaven is great, and I am in the company of the prophets and of my Lord Himself.” (based on Matthew 5:10–12; Hebrews 11)
As you align your mouth with God’s Word, your inner attitude will follow.
### Proclamation
Say this aloud, thoughtfully, as an act of faith:
> I declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord, and I belong to Him.
> Blessed am I when people insult me, persecute me, and say all kinds of evil against me falsely because of Him.
> I choose to rejoice and be glad, for great is my reward in heaven.
> I stand in the same line as the prophets who were persecuted before me.
> When I am insulted because of the Name of Christ, I am blessed,
> for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon me.
> Though many may hate me because of Jesus,
> by His grace I will stand firm to the end, and I will be saved.
> I will not draw back; I will not be ashamed.
> I receive persecution for Christ’s sake as a mark of His favor
> and as an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed in me.
> My eyes are fixed not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
> on the eternal reward kept in heaven for me.
> Amen.
### Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus,
I ask You to renew my mind according to Your Word. Forgive me where I have sought the approval of men more than the approval of God. Cleanse me from fear of rejection and fear of man.
Holy Spirit, Spirit of glory and of God, I invite You to rest upon me in a new way. In every situation where I am insulted, misunderstood, or rejected because of Christ, make Your presence more real than the hostility around me.
Lord Jesus, You were hated without a cause. You were despised and rejected by men. I yield myself to share in Your sufferings, that I may also share in Your glory. Strengthen me to stand firm to the end. Put in my heart a supernatural joy that overcomes insult, opposition, and hatred.
Teach me to bless when I am cursed, to endure when I am persecuted, to respond kindly when I am slandered. Let my life bear witness to Your kingdom, even under pressure.
I set my heart on the reward that is great in heaven. Keep me faithful until I see You face to face.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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