Profound differences between the worldly majority and the kingdom minority can actually be expressed as hatred. Scriptural synonyms for hatred include enmity, persecution, and hostility.
And remember it all began with the curse pronounced on the serpent after he deceived Eve in the garden.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her Seed.” Genesis 3:15
The hatred is the greatest between the ruler of the majority and the king of the kingdom, i.e. between the devil and the Seed of the woman, Christ Himself.
Such animosity and hatred is extended to the followers of the ruler of the world and the citizens of the kingdom and is being accelerated during the present age.
Jesus warned His disciples of the hatred they would face, and the reason for it.
“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.” John 15:19-19
As Jesus prayed to His Father, He reiterated the world’s hatred for His chosen. He also stated that He would send them into the world as light.
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world…As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” John 17:14, 18
Jesus’ chosen ones have become children of God while the majority of mankind was/is under the influence of the wicked one.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…” Romans 8:16-17
But on the other hand:
“…and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” 1 John 5:19
John reminded the church (kingdom) that the world did not know or understand Christ or His chosen.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him…Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.” 1 John 3:1, 13
James had a similar message to professing Christians (hypocrites) but didn’t possess saving faith. Such were committing spiritual adultery.
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4
Kingdom citizens should not take lightly the granted authority of the ruler of the world.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities…against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
The Seed of the woman, however, will prevail and preserve His chosen.
“…for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” John 14:30
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8b
And in God’s precise pre-ordained timing in the future:
“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31
The devil, who deceived them…was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10
How about today?
The redeemed minority has been defined as well as the worldly majority.
The leader of the world has been identified as Satan and the leader of the kingdom has been identified as Jesus Christ, the Seed of the woman.
Now the philosophy and ideology of the present day can be examined to see which leader is being followed.
Simply stated, is America as a nation more closely allied with the tenets of the world and its leader or the kingdom and its leader?
Or does America even recognize the difference between the two?
After two decades of teaching Statistics and Economics at ORU and NSU Walt not teaches Bible at FBC Claremore and the Claremore Veteran’s Center.