There is a common misconception about the fate of the righteous. Many preachers will have you believe that if you live righteously, that is according to the right standards of the Lord God (found in the Bible), you shall prosper and lead a peaceful life. Unfortunately, pastors confuse the result of righteousness in heaven to that of this world. The truth is that if you decide to follow Jesus Christ and live according to His Will alone, you shall not have peace, but persecution.
To illustrate the point let us take the life of Jeanne D'Arc, better known as St. Joan of Arc. This lady at sixteen was given revelations from angels and saints to save France. At the time France had fallen into second rate power, with England dominating it during this point in the Hundred Year's War. There had been prophecies that a maiden would lead the French Armies to victory, but no one was ready for the rise of a peasant girl. Joan visited the Charles VII, the next in line to be King of France and was examined by ecclesiastics who determined her visions were genuine. Overnight Joan rose to prominence as she lead the French Armies to victory in Orleans, gaining her title of Maid of Orleans. Joan was austere and required the French troops to observe Mass, to cease fornication with prostitutes and to pray. The result was victories across the Lily Land and the eventual crowning of Charles VII at Reims.
The Maid of Orleans did not waver in her faith and fought even when her newly crowned King decided not to press the English and leave Paris in their hands. Joan led a final foray against the English, and was captured in Paris. From there the Virgin who had inspired victory after victory was abandoned to the English and envious ecclesiastics. Joan was put on trial and declared a heretic. Her earthly King and French comrades having abandoned her to her fate. Joan was burned at the stake on May 30th, 1431, at the age of only nineteen! After spending her life leading the liberation of her people, she was left to the flames. It was 400 years later, that the Catholic Church which had burned her, decided to canonize her as saint! Joan reward for doing the right thing and being God fearing was death on the burning stake. The Maid of Orleans is not alone in her outcome. The Messiah, the Son of God Himself was also betrayed and subjected to a horrible Death.
Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Savior was rewarded for teaching righteousness and how to live rightly for God with a excruciating death that began with being scourged with a flail weapon called the cat of nine tails (this weapon had metal handle, with chain like cords and upon those chains were spikes, pieces of glass, and other sharp objects. Christ for having shown man the way to "abundant life" and "holiness" was now at the mercy of Romans. When the forty lashes that tore his body into hamburger were over, Christ was commanded to carry a one hundred pound beam for an estimated twelve miles to Calvary. There exhausted and drained of sweat and blood, Jesus was laid upon the vertical beam of the cross and his hands nailed to the cross beam. He then was raised up to hang; the weight of his body pulling down upon Him and literally suffocating Him.
The King of the Universe, The God who created mankind and who loved man and sought to teach him "abundant life" was killed. Jesus had healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, touched and healed lepers, fed the hungry miraculously (Matt 14: 13-21, Mark 8:1-8), and raised the dead back to life (John 11, Mark 5:21-43) was rewarded for all his kindness and love with a cross.
If you dare to live a righteous life after the Lord. If you intend to serve Jesus and do the right thing without compromise; you shall suffer persecution and even death. The prosperity pastors are talking about did not apply to God or a saintly woman named Joan. Their reward was not the esteem and love of people, but rather enmity and loathing. If I must convince with Scriptures, than so be it: "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:19). According to St. Peter, it can be God's Will that you suffer! Not quite what the pastors at the pulpit are preaching eh? Peter says it again, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed." (1 Peter 3:14). Suffering is a blessing?! Yes, to suffer for the Lord's sake and doing the right thing is a blessing; it may harm us on this earth, but it connects us to Christ and stores up riches in heaven (Matthew 6:20).
Our Lord said it himself, "Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not better than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you." (John 15:20). A Christian is then by definition destined to suffer persecutions and painful experiences. We may not all be put on a cross or burning stake, but it may feel that way emotionally via the loss of family, friends, and those you thought you could trust. St. Paul sums it up, "In fact, everyone who wants live a godly life after Christ will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12).
The prosperity doctrine in America is a lie. As followers of Jesus we shall be persecuted and profaned. People will turn on you for not wavering in your resolve to be godly after Jesus Christ. You will be mocked, demeaned, demonized, and defamed. The closer you come to Jesus Christ, the more the devil will raise up people against you, even those of your own household! (Matthew 10:36). But do not despair! For you are in good company! Your suffering is not in vain! For we are "persecuted, but not abandoned. Struck down, but not destroyed." (2 Corinthians 4:9). All that the people of this earth can do is destroy your reputation, possessions, and your body; but "fear God who can destroy your soul!" (Matthew 10:20). Only the Lord Jesus has dominion and control over the resting place of your spirit. Think not of what men can do to you, but think on what the Lord has waiting you in heaven! For Jesus said, "in my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would not have told you so. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2).
The Lord has place waiting for us persecuted ones. In that place there will be "no more death, no more sorrow, and no more tears. All these things will be gone forever." (Revelation 21:4). Hold on to that promise, for it shall be fulfilled! Stand firm in the faith! Remember that you are good company! Jesus Christ knows your pain, He felt it personally! Joan of Arc and many others have shared the same pain of betrayal and abuse. She and the Apostles who all suffered and were slain wait for you! Hold on to your faith!
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