Persecution, nature of

Persecution by the world and secular powers is a likely consequence of faith. Scripture identifies a number of potential sources of such persistent harassment.

Persecution is characteristic of this world

Psalm 10:2 See also Amos 1:6, Amos 1:9, Amos 2:1; Habakkuk 1:6–11; Revelation 6:8, Revelation 9:7–10

In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.

Satan is the arch-persecutor of the church

Genesis 3:15 See also Job 2:6–7; Zechariah 3:1; Luke 22:3–4; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:13

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

The agencies of persecution

The world

John 15:18; 1 John 3:13 See also Mark 12:7; John 5:18, John 15:19, John 17:14; Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:14–15; 1 John 3:1

If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.

So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

Earthly governments

Mark 13:9 See also 1 Kings 19:2; Nehemiah 6:1, Nehemiah 6:9; Esther 3:6; Psalm 119:161; Jeremiah 38:6; Daniel 3:13–17; Matthew 10:17; Acts 12:1–3

So be on your guard. You will be delivered over to the councils and beaten in the synagogues. On My account you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.

Religious authorities

1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 See also Jeremiah 26:8; Amos 7:12–13; Matthew 23:34–37; Acts 4:27–29, Acts 5:17–18, Acts 22:4REV Acts 13:7, Revelation 13:15, Revelation 17:6

And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.

Family and friends

Matthew 10:36 See also Micah 7:6; Genesis 4:8; Matthew 10:21; Mark 3:21; Galatians 4:29

A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

The experience of persecution

2 Corinthians 12:10 See also 1 Samuel 24:14; Psalm 59:1–4, Psalm 64:1–4; 2 Corinthians 4:8–12, 2 Corinthians 11:23–26; Hebrews 11:32–38

That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Believers must expect persecution

2 Timothy 3:12 See also Matthew 13:21; Mark 10:29–30; 1 Thessalonians 3:4

Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Persecution is part of the tribulation of the church

Matthew 24:7–10 See also 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 6:11

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,

Persecution is sometimes part of God's judgment on his people

Lamentations 4:16–19 See also Jeremiah 6:22–26, Jeremiah 32:26–29, Jeremiah 39:5–10

The presence of the LORD has scattered them; He regards them no more. The priests are shown no honor; the elders find no favor. All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us. They stalked our every step, so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near, our time ran out, for our end had come! Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.