Playlist: Prophets, Persecuted and Killed (topic)
Prophets and Prophecy (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughProphets of God have often faced severe opposition and persecution for their faithful delivery of divine messages. Life for these messengers was not easy, as they frequently stood alone, separated from the societal and religious systems they critiqued. Jeremiah, for instance, expressed deep personal anguish over his isolated …
Beware of False Prophets
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's true prophets held a vital role in guiding His people, tasked with revealing their transgressions and sins, admonishing them, denouncing prevailing wrongs, warning of divine judgment, and calling for repentance. They also delivered messages of consolation and forgiveness, serving as watchmen to alert of approaching …
Those Who Are Persecuted
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPersecution for righteousness' sake has a long and somber history among God's people, stretching back to the earliest times. As Jesus Christ reminds us in Matthew 5:10-12, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, …
Divine Warning
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Amos vividly describes the social conditions in Israel and God's reaction to their persistent disobedience. Despite His efforts to bring them to repentance through hunger, drought, blight, mildew, plagues, and destruction, Israel refused to return to Him. As Amos 4:4-13 reveals, the Lord sent calamities, yet the …
The Sixth Century Axial Period (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The history of God's prophets reveals a pattern of persecution and often martyrdom, as they were rarely welcomed by those to whom they were sent. Jesus Himself lamented over Jerusalem, declaring it a city that kills the prophets, highlighting the frequent hostility they faced. These messengers of God, such as Elijah with Ahab, …
The Sixth Century Axial Period (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Prophets have often faced persecution and death for delivering God's messages. They arose in times of national crisis, warning Israel and Judah of impending judgment and urging repentance. Their words troubled the people, awakening them to moral and spiritual responsibilities, which often led to discomfort and resistance. This …
How Far Have We Fallen? (Part Five)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Historically, Israel killed the prophets because their righteous lives and messages condemned both the common people and the government. The unrighteous persecuted the righteous simply for embodying and proclaiming God's truth. In a similar vein, Christians today, particularly in the Middle East, face intense persecution, with …
Matthew (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughProphets of God were persecuted people. The prophets all were treated roughly and many of them were put to death. The representatives of the Kingdom of God kept being rejected and being killed. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence because its representative was languishing in prison …
Don't Be Indifferent
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod cries out through His prophets and nothing changes. God sent Amos to prophesy to the people. The people threw Amos out of town and threatened to kill him. Jesus said the Israelites always got rid of the prophet. The people killed the prophet. God prophesied of the former axial period primarily through Jeremiah but also some …
The Two Witnesses (Part Six)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughProphets of old faced persecution from those who rejected their messages about the true God. Elijah confronted rampant idolatry led by Ahab and Jezebel. The prophets of Baal and Asherah opposed him during the contest on Mount Carmel. Those prophets tormented the people of the earth through their false practices. Elijah himself …
Acts (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughStephen shows throughout history that God raised people up as deliverers and Israel repeatedly rejected them and disobeyed God's law. Israel rejected the deliverer that God raises up beginning with Joseph. Every time God raised up a deliverer Israel rejected him. Stephen looks at the Jews as the sons of those who rejected Moses …
Matthew (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughBlessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who …
Joy: What Is It?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus explains that disciples facing hatred, exclusion, reviling, and having their names cast out as evil for His sake must rejoice and leap for joy. He supplies two reasons. First, their reward is great in heaven. Second, their fathers treated the prophets in the same manner. This reference to the prophets places the present …
Matthew (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study byThe Pharisees were missing a sense of proportion, avoiding sin, but not lightening the burdens of their flocks by applying justice, mercy, and faith.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Nine)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSince the beginning, God's servants the prophets have been ridiculed, attacked, and abused. In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, those invited to the king's banquet not only refuse the invitation but seize his servants, treat them spitefully, and kill them. Jesus states that He sends prophets, wise men, and scribes, some of whom …
Faithful Stephen
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsStephen's address traces Israel's history as a repeated pattern of persecuting and killing the prophets whom God sent. From the outset the patriarchs envied Joseph and sold him into Egypt, yet God turned the evil into deliverance for many. The same spirit reappeared when Moses, after identifying with his people and striking down …
Old Testament: Fruit of the Spirit (Part Three)
Sermon by Ronny H. GrahamStephen speaks the truth in his heart as the one who fulfills the third characteristic listed in Psalm 15 for those who may dwell on God's holy hill. After the apostles' preaching causes the church to multiply rapidly, Stephen is chosen as the first of seven men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to handle daily distributions. …
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Four): God's Indictment
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod warned Israel and Judah repeatedly through His prophets and seers, calling them to turn from their evil ways, keep His commandments and statutes, and return to the covenant they had made with Him. The people refused to hear these messages, stiffened their necks, and rejected both the statutes and the testimonies delivered by …
Lamentations (Part Seven)
Sermon byThe people suffering under the Babylonians had basked in the privilege of being God's chosen people while also trashing the terms of the Covenant.
Ecclesiastes (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the material, the silencing of prophets emerges as a central injustice within Israel, where those in power command them not to prophesy because their messages expose and condemn abuses against the weak and poor. This rejection appears in Amos, as the people give Nazirites wine to drink and order the prophets to be silent, …
Matthew (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn the parable of the vineyard, the landowner sends servants to the vinedressers at vintage time to receive the fruit due him. The vinedressers beat one servant, kill another, and stone a third. When the landowner sends additional servants, the vinedressers treat them in the same manner. Finally the landowner sends his son, …
How Did We Get This Way?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus addressed Jerusalem as the city that killed the prophets and stoned those sent to it, charging that its people rejected the messages from the One with whom they had made a covenant and murdered the messengers instead. He compared this pattern to the scribes and Pharisees who outwardly honored the tombs of the prophets …
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Five): A Remnant of Judah
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe material develops the theme of prophets persecuted and killed by tracing a persistent pattern of rejection and violence against God's messengers. In the account of Judah's fall, the chronicler records that the people mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets until divine wrath left no …
Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong?
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod's servants throughout history have rarely been recognized for what they were. Jesus Christ Himself was not identified as the Son of God by most who encountered Him, even after three years of public ministry. When asked who He was, people suggested He might be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet. Herod, …
Abraham (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod permitted no one to harm Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they moved from nation to nation, but rebuked kings on their behalf with the command not to touch His anointed ones and do His prophets no harm. Abraham is identified as a prophet in Genesis 20, and this protection is presented as evidence of God's ongoing care for His …
Abraham (Part Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPersecution of prophets and God's ministers arises repeatedly from within the covenant community rather than from outsiders. Jesus taught early that His followers must expect reviling, false accusations, and suffering for righteousness' sake, noting that the prophets before them endured the same treatment. This pattern is …
The Continuous Testing of Our Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe constant tests to which God submits His people enable them to build character by responding in faith. God perfected Abraham's faith through difficult trials.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Six): New Testament Teaching
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThose who follow Christ are the true Israel, the Elect, and the Chosen, called by God to precede unfaithful physical Israel in the salvation process.
Asa's Laodicean Attitude
Sermonette byKing Asa started his reign trusting in God's intervention and providence, but like the Laodiceans, he finished his course weak and compromised. Here's why.
God's Will in the End Time
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod does not like to inflict punishment on people, but because of sin, He is obligated to correct. But as quickly as God punishes, God restores and heals.
Does God Care About History?
Sermonette by Mike FordIt is necessary for God's called-out ones to learn from history, realizing that two-thirds of the Bible appears in a historical context.
Without a Clue
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Today, every large media organization is controlled by five corporations; each is guided by liberal standards, accepting adultery, homosexuality, and abortion.
Are Things That Bad?
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughThere are no hollow threats with God Almighty. God will destroy disobedient people with the diseases of Egypt, cutting down our life-expectancy.
The March Toward Globalism (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Parents have incrementally abandoned the responsibility of disciplining their children. Satan has taken over the responsibility through his matrix.
Why Are We Called To Overcome?
Sermon by John O. ReidLike physical leaven, if spiritual leaven is not checked quickly, it will expand exponentially, destroying the container housing it.
Acts (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughStephen's martyrdom and his compassion on his persecutors, followed by the reaction against his brutal murder, resulted in a rapid spreading of the Gospel.