Topical Bible: The Heathen: Persecuting

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The term "heathen" in biblical context often refers to nations or peoples who do not worship the God of Israel and are outside the covenant community. Throughout the Scriptures, the relationship between the people of God and the heathen is marked by tension, conflict, and persecution. This entry explores the theme of persecution by the heathen as depicted in the Bible.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently faced persecution from surrounding heathen nations. This persecution often arose from the Israelites' distinct identity as God's chosen people and their refusal to participate in the idolatrous practices of their neighbors. The Book of Exodus recounts the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, where Pharaoh subjected them to harsh slavery (Exodus 1:13-14). This persecution was a direct result of the Egyptians' fear of the growing Israelite population.

The Psalms frequently express the anguish and pleas for deliverance from the oppression of heathen nations. Psalm 79:1-3 laments, "O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble. They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth." Such passages reflect the historical reality of foreign invasions and the desecration of sacred spaces by heathen forces.

Prophetic Writings

The prophets also address the theme of persecution by the heathen. In the Book of Daniel, the narrative of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:19-25) illustrates the persecution faced by those who remain faithful to God amidst a pagan culture. Their refusal to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image resulted in their being cast into the furnace, yet God delivered them, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the early Christian community experienced persecution from both Jewish authorities and Gentile rulers. Jesus Himself warned His disciples of impending persecution, stating, "You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22). This persecution was often instigated by those who rejected the message of the Gospel and saw the growing Christian movement as a threat to their religious and social order.

The Acts of the Apostles records numerous instances of persecution by heathen authorities. In Acts 16:19-24 , Paul and Silas are seized, beaten, and imprisoned in Philippi after casting out a spirit from a slave girl, disrupting the economic interests of her owners. Such accounts highlight the hostility faced by early Christians as they proclaimed the Gospel in a predominantly pagan world.

Epistles and Revelation

The epistles further address the theme of persecution, encouraging believers to endure suffering for the sake of Christ. The Apostle Peter writes, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory" (1 Peter 4:12-13).

The Book of Revelation provides a prophetic vision of the ultimate triumph of God's people over the forces of evil, including persecution by the heathen. Revelation 2:10 exhorts the church in Smyrna, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Throughout the biblical narrative, the persecution of God's people by the heathen serves as a backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and ultimate deliverance. The Scriptures encourage believers to remain steadfast in the face of persecution, trusting in God's promises and looking forward to the ultimate vindication and reward.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 2:1,2
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 11:26
In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brothers;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whatever Has Been Rightly Said by the Heathen, we must Appropriate ...
... 1824] And to none of all these would heathen superstition (especially in those times
when, kicking against the yoke of Christ, it was persecuting the Christians ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 40 whatever has been rightly.htm

We Ought to Detest These Heathen Meetings and Assemblies...
... We ought to detest these heathen meetings and assemblies, if on no other ... lions!"
is daily raised against us [373] "that from thence persecuting decrees are ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxvii we ought to.htm

The Primitive Church
... and torn limb from limb, agonized in body, mocked at and insulted, they were objects
of pity even to the heathen themselves. Persecuting malice spared neither ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter v the primitive church.htm

The North African Church under the Vandals.
... people, who heard how she alone withdrew herself from the heathen festivities, wished
to ... of king Hunnerich, who did not at first display so persecuting a spirit ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/the north african church under.htm

Psalm CXXVI.
... Whatsoever blood he shed in persecuting the righteous, what kind of blood did he
shed? ... "Then shall they say among the heathen, the Lord hath done great things ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxvi.htm

The Catholic Epistles.
... 5:13, whether it be the mystic Babylon of the Apocalypse, ie, heathen Rome, as a
persecuting power (the fathers, Roman Catholic divines, also Thiersch, Baur ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 87 the catholic epistles.htm

Petilianus Said: "But what have You to do with the Kings of This.. ...
... [2250] At any rate neither can this be said of the heathen, who persecuted ... the Hebrews;
as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the Church ...
/.../chapter 93 202 petilianus.htm

Introductory Note
... tolerated as one of the faithful, without giving to the heathen new grounds ... Ages,
to combine their follies with equal extravagance in persecuting the Albigenses ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/introductory note.htm

How the Apostle Maintains that Christ is the Power of God and the ...
... I say, whom the Jews attacked, the Gentiles mocked, whom you yourself together with
them are persecuting,"He, I say, who is foolishness to the heathen, and a ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter x how the apostle.htm

The Persecutions.
... the Emperor Decius was one of the worst of all, for the heathen grew more ... The
persecuting Valerian himself came to a miserable end, for he was made prisoner in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxv the persecutions.htm