The Bible unfortunately says that in the future seven year tribulation period which I believe is very close that betrayal and offense will be rampant around the world. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  Matt. 24:10.  Betrayal is one thing.  Betrayal with offense is something entirely different.If we are betrayed without offense we can just brush it off and not take it personal.If we are betrayed with offense that is a deep seated emotion which goes through our spirit.  I know I am talking to people in many different situations around the World. Divorce, war, brothers or sisters may have offended you, a friend or a system. It could be anything. It's a shame adults are not like children.  If you look at them interact it's almost as if they are saying "we are supposed to fight but we are also supposed to make up."  With adults it almost seems like the offense of betrayal cuts so deep into the spirit that hatred seems to reside. I would say that if this is true with us then we first have to check ourselves to make sure that we have Godly character which is God's moral excellence and firmness. I was surprised at what I saw when I did an introspection of myself. We have to start with ourselves. God's character in us would be the opposite of a spirit of betrayal.We are not called to offense or to offend.
 
If somebody betrays someone they are seducing.They are failing that person or deserting them in their time of need. If the person on the receiving end is offended they might feel resentment and even fall into sin. A moral insult can do that to someone if both betrayal and offense is involved.
 
If you were offended through betrayal there are no easy answers in the Bible. I will explain myself through an example in the Book of Revelation.I do believe in the Rapture of the Church prior to the seven year Tribulation period.  I know everyone does not believe this so I would sincerely like to say I am one that respects all points of view on this subject.To follow my line of reasoning based on my original topic after the Rapture into the Tribulation in Revelation 6:10 "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, oh Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth?"  Many of the newly converted believers will be looked upon around the World in an unfair way and they will be betrayed through martyrdom.When they arrive in Heaven they will ask Jesus Christ Himself-how long?  I believe this is a Jewish term so I am assuming many of the new converts will be Jewish.  Even in a perfect environment ( Heaven) they still will feel a sense of injustice inside of themselves and look to Jesus Christ Himself.  Do you see how deep betrayal can be through offense?  There are different levels of betrayal and offense.  If it cuts very deep we really need God's help. We will not be able to handle this on our own.  Of course we are never to avenge ourselves through any kind of revenge. The Bible says...Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, sayeth the Lord...Hebrews 10:30. If God sees fit to punish somebody or a group for something they did He will do it.
 
As I was reading Genesis 37 I noticed something fascinating. Not only does the account describe the way Joseph was betrayed, it also paints a symbolic story of what the person being betrayed goes through.In verse 18 they conspired against Joseph. Jacob who was their father showed favoritism towards Joseph.  The brothers saw this as a gross injustice of unfairness. In verse 19 they called Joseph a name ( anger). Verse 20 says they originally conspired to kill him.  I'm even surprised that some of the brothers wanted to go that far. Verse 21 says Reuben objected.  If it is a group betrayal usually somebody will object. Actually he wanted to call the whole thing off. As you will soon see the brothers were divided into three groups. (1) Kill him (2) Sell him off (3) Call the whole thing off. It is very interesting to me that they all as a group consented, not agreed to selling him off to a foreigner. Even if there was some mercy in the group for all practical purposes it did not help Joseph.The group consented to betrayal.
 
It seems to me that the process of this betrayal is symbolic of what we go through. Verse 23 says they stripped him of his coat.  If we are betrayed there is a stripping process of what is rightfully ours even if we are living in the lap of luxury. If a society has been stripped people at the very least with a trained eye will be able to see it.  Verse 24 says he was cast into a pit. Remember the pit was empty, dry, and dark. If we are betrayed and stripped of what was rightfully ours and take offense to it we feel empty, dry and dark. A depression might even set in. A society could fall into a pit because of stripping. I deal with people all the time and oftentimes the older people will say how simple and innocent times were when they were young. Oftentimes they now complain of a sadness that resides in their soul as they look at the World.  Could it be that betrayal is smack dab in the middle of society and they cannot quite get around it?  They wish they could but they cannot. Verse 25 says the Ishmeelites came through ( foreigners). He was shortly sold off to them. Isn't that what happens to us?  If we are betrayed with offense our environment may not look familiar to us.  We might even feel like we are in a foreign place-surreal as it were.The same is true with a society.  Remember the brothers had to live with this lie for the rest of their lives not to mention the guilt.  They chose to work backwards with their problem rather than forward.  An example of working forward with their problem would be going to the father and just saying " Dad you are showing favoritism and it is not right."  They chose to work backwards which always has a certain element of deceit in it.  Joseph had to unfortunately carry this betrayal for years to come even though he was a God fearing man. Jesus was betrayed and had to bear the weight of His betrayal by being tortured and dying on a cross for our sins so we would not have to bear the weight of our transgressions. Thank you Jesus!
 
In the first paragraph I said according to Matt. 24:10 the World will unfortunately be in a state of betrayal and offense with a spirit of hatred in the future seven year Tribulation period.I am saddened by this and I'm sure you are too. Betrayal and offense seems to come and go in cycles if you even take a broad look at history. I regretfully say the worst cycle is yet to come. If you are an unbeliever that has not accepted Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior do you see why it is so important to respond to this decision today. He will not only come into your heart but you will be a part of the Rapture of the Church and experience God's love for all eternity rather than betrayal and offense which will weigh very heavy upon your spirit. Of course the betrayal and offense ( which is a part of God's wrath) in the midst of the twenty one judgments mentioned in the Book of Revelation are not something I want to see anybody go through. My heart goes out for you if you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your heart. I am praying you will make that all important eternal decision.
 
In conclusion to just give you some words of comfort if you were betrayed and took offense to it I can say this-the more we take personal the more we will probably fall into sin. Of course I cannot give you any simple answers because I gave you the example in the Book of Revelation when the future martyred believers in a perfect sinless environment ( Heaven) still will hold deep issue with their offense. If your betrayal and offense cut deep into your spirit understand that God is sovereign and in perfect control. If you don't, ask the Holy Spirit for illumination on this subject. Also understand that the Bible says in John 15: 14-15 " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."  We can specifically talk to God about our problem/problems. He is watching over our situation and He will help us and promises to work all things out for the good for all those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28. God's love replaces the betrayal that may be sitting inside of us if we turn it over to Him but we have to make a decision to do this.
 
God Bless You
Bob D.