Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12 KJV
Being obedient to God's word is not always popular. it will not always get you a pat on the back from man, but it will always get you one step closer to heaven and the approval of God Almighty. Jesus knew that being obedient to the Father would bring him much pain and suffering while on this earth, but he also knew the rewards that awaited him when it was finished. He would become the "Mediator" between God and man..forever standing in the gap to plead our case. God promises that great is our reward as well, and there are blessings in serving Jesus, but there is also suffering. We love him because he first loved us. There will be suffering and persecution to Christians because mankind doesn't know what LOVE truly is. This world is ruled by the Prince of Darkness and Evil abounds, but if we endure to the end we shall be saved.
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
