They Will Hate You!

“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

Matthew 24:9

There has never been a more pronounced divide (outside of the Civil War) in our country between good and evil. There is one party that demands that women have the right to murder their babies in the womb up to birth. That same party promotes the physical and chemical mutilation of children. They refer to this as “gender affirming care.”

In our governor’s race, the democratic candidate has given evasive answers on ‘trans women” participating in girls’ sports. She does oppose any law prohibiting gender affirming care or men in women’s bathrooms, or boys pretending to be girls playing on girls’ teams. She is a supporter of the right for women to murder babies in their womb.

As followers of Christ, we are subject to Him our King first and foremost. As citizens of this country, we have the privilege to vote for our leaders and representatives. It is beyond comprehension that anyone claiming to be a follower of Christ could vote for any candidate that would support the murder of the unborn or support the physical or chemical mutilation of children. How does anyone who claims that Jesus is King turn around and support evil? Too many Christians remain silent on these issues. Why? Fear of rejection? Fear of being called a fascist? Fear of insults? Fear of ridicule? We must speak up for God’s truth while we still can. We must speak that truth in love. We must pray for God’s mercy until the time of the Great Tribulation.

Jesus never promised His followers an easy road. Instead, He was honest: discipleship often brings suffering, rejection, and even persecution. The reason is because of His name. To belong to Jesus is to stand apart from the world. In the book of Acts, we see this fulfilled: apostles beaten, imprisoned, and killed for preaching Christ. Yet they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41). Their courage reminds us that following Christ is not about seeking comfort but about standing firm in truth, even when the cost is high.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus warned, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name “ (Mat. 24:9).” He is referring to the Tribulation that will last 7 years. However, being identified with Christ’s name has cost believers their freedom, their rights, their respect, and often their lives. In Nigeria, over 7,000 Christians have been killed so far in 2025 because of their faith in Christ. Yet, there is a time coming after the rapture of the church when the world will cheer the death of Christians.

Until that day, Christians, we must do all we can to be His ambassadors. We must not only share the Gospel but live the Gospel. We must run the race well and finish the race that God has called us to.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark