1 Peter 3:14 Happy Are Ye

1 Peter 3:14 (KJV)  But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 

There is cause for happiness exhorts the Apostle Peter for saints who suffer for Christ’s sake. The persecution faced may be troubling and terrifying. The saints of Christ are exhorted to rest in the Lord.

The cause for rejoicing is well understood when our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 5:10-12 (KJV)  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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.

These saints are twice blessed and promised of their rewards in heaven. Our Lord was crucified for a political crime for He declared Himself rightly to be King of the Jews. Not only was the Jewish establishment against Him for the truth that He declares but His was considered a crime rivaling the authority of Rome.

The saints are exhorted to be faithful to the end, in other words, to stand firm even at the cost of their lives. A necessary price to pay in the last days. Amen.