Persecution
1. PERSECUTION PROMISED TO ALL FOLLOWERS OF JESUS:
Matthew 10:17 Beware of men: they will deliver you up … scourge
Matthew 24:9 Deliver you up … ye shall be hated of all nations
Mark 10:30 Shall receive an hundredfold now … with persecutions
Luke 21:12 They shall lay their hands on you and persecute you
John 15:20 If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you
John 16:33 In the world ye shall have tribulation
Philippians 1:29 Given not only to believe on him, but also to suffer
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution
(See also Matthew 23:24; 1 John 3:13.)
2. BENEFITS OF PERSECUTION:
A. Heavenly rewards for enduring persecution:
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are … persecuted … for theirs is the kingdom
Romans 8:17–18 Sufferings … not worthy to be compared with the glory
2 Corinthians 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him
2 Corinthians 4:17 Affliction … worketh for us … eternal weight of glory
Hebrews 11:25–26 Choosing to suffer affliction … respect unto reward
Hebrews 11:35 Tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection
1 Peter 4:12–13 Fiery trial … when his glory revealed, ye may be glad
B. God is with and helps those being persecuted:
Psalm 37:32–33 The Lord will not leave him [the righteous] in his [the wicked’s] hand
Psalm 46:1 God is … a very present help in trouble
Isaiah 50:7–9 The Lord God will help me … who is mine adversary?
Matthew 10:18–20 Brought before governors … it shall be given you what ye shall speak … [God’s] Spirit speaketh in you
Acts 7:55 [Stephen] saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
Romans 8:35–39 Persecution [can’t] separate us from the love of God
2 Corinthians 4:8–11 Persecuted, but not forsaken
Hebrews 13:5–6 The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me
1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for Christ … spirit of glory and God resteth upon you
C. God allows persecution to spread His message and messengers:
Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another
Acts 8:1,4 Scattered … went everywhere preaching the word
Acts 11:19 Scattered … travelled as far as Cyprus, preaching 227
D. When condemning God’s messengers, enemies often broadcast God’s message—thus arousing interest in it:
John 19:4–8 The Jews answered, “[Jesus] ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God”
Acts 17:5–7 These [say] there is another king, one Jesus
Acts 19:23–26 This Paul persuaded … saying that [idols] be no gods
Acts 24:14 This I confess … the way which they call heresy, so worship I God
Acts 25:18–19 [Paul’s] accusers … had questions against him of Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive
Acts 28:22 Everywhere [this sect] is spoken against … but we desire to hear of thee, what thou thinkest
Philippians 1:15–18 Notwithstanding … Christ is preached
E. The Word can be preached even from prison:
Jeremiah 38:13–18 [King Zedekiah consulted with imprisoned Jeremiah]
Matthew 10:18–20 Brought before governors and kings for a testimony
Acts 16:23–31 [Philippian jailor converted after earthquake]
Acts 28:16 [In bonds, Paul preached in Rome] (See also 28:30–31.)
Philippians 1:12–14 [In bonds, Paul converts Caesar’s household] (See also Philippians 4:22.)
F. God gets good out of seeming bad:
Genesis 50:20 Ye thought evil … but God meant it to good
Exodus 14:1–28 [God hardened Pharaoh’s heart to pursue the Hebrews, so that his entire army drowned and empire collapsed]
Psalm 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee
3. ATTITUDE TO HAVE DURING PERSECUTION:
A. Be fearless and unmovable:
Jeremiah 1:17–19 Be not dismayed … they shall fight … but I am with thee
Ezekiel 3:8–9 Fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks
Matthew 10:28 Fear not them which kill the body
Acts 20:24 None of these … move me, neither count I my life dear
1 Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions … we are appointed thereunto
1 Peter 2:20 When ye do well, and suffer for it … take it patiently
Revelation 12:11 And they loved not their lives unto the death
(See also Philippians 1:14.)
B. Have joy in persecution:
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be exceeding glad … for so persecuted
Luke 6:22–23 When men hate you … rejoice … leap for joy
Acts 5:40–41 Rejoicing they were counted worthy to suffer shame
Romans 5:3 We glory in tribulations
2 Thessalonians 1:4 We glory in you for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure
1 Peter 3:14 If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye
1 Peter 4:12–14 If ye be reproached for … Christ, happy are ye
C. Do not be ashamed:
Isaiah 50:7 I set my face like a flint … I shall not be ashamed
1 Peter 4:16 If any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed
D. Suffer willingly for a righteous cause:
Jeremiah 15:15 For thy sake I have suffered rebuke
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they … persecuted for righteousness’ sake
2 Corinthians 12:10 I take pleasure in persecutions … for Christ’s sake
2 Thessalonians 1:5 Counted worthy of kingdom of God, for which ye suffer
1 Peter 2:19 For conscience toward God … suffering wrongfully
E. Examples of enduring persecution courageously:
■ Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:11–15)
■ Paul and his companions (1 Corinthians 4:12)
■ Paul (2 Corinthians 6:4–5,8–10; 2 Corinthians 11:23–27)
■ Timothy (2 Timothy 1:8)
■ Early Christians (Hebrews 10:32–33)
■ Moses (Hebrews 11:25)
■ Old and New Testament saints (Hebrews 11:35–40)
F. Remain faithful to the truth despite persecution:
Psalm 119:51 Proud have me … in derision, yet have I not declined
Psalm 119:86–87 They persecuted me wrongfully; they almost consumed me … but I forsook not thy precepts
Psalm 119:157 Many are my persecutors … yet I do not decline
Revelation 2:13 Thou holdest fast … and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein … my martyr was slain
G. Endure persecution because of love for the lost:
2 Timothy 2:10 I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may obtain salvation (See also John 10:11.)
Hebrews 5:7–9 He suffered … became the author of eternal salvation
1 Peter 2:21 Christ suffered for us … ye should follow his steps
H. Examples of men of God imprisoned for their faith:
■ Old Testament saints (Hebrews 11:36)
■ Samson (Judges 16:21)
■ Micaiah (1 Kings 22:26–27)
■ Hanani (2 Chronicles 16:10)
■ Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:11–16)
■ Daniel (Daniel 6:16–17)
■ John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3–4)
■ Peter and John (Acts 4:1–3)
■ Apostles (Acts 5:16–18)
■ Men and women Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 8:3; 9:1–2,14; 22:4–5,19; 26:10)
■ Peter (Acts 12:1–4)
■ Paul and Silas (Acts 16:22–24)
■ Paul’s imprisonments (2 Corinthians 11:23)
■ Paul’s final imprisonment (Acts 24:27; 26:29; 28:16)
4. REASONS WHY PERSECUTORS ATTACK CHRISTIANS:
A. Their goal is to stop the witness:
Jeremiah 11:21 Prophesy not … that thou die not by our hand
John 11:47–48,53 If we let him alone, all men will believe on him. Then they took counsel to put him to death
Acts 4:17 That it spread no further … Let us threaten them
(See also Revelation 6:9; 11:7.)
B. Wicked men hate the righteous:
Psalm 38:20 They are adversaries; because I follow … good
Proverbs 29:27 He that is upright is abomination to the wicked
Isaiah 59:15 He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey
Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?
Galatians 4:29 He that was born after the flesh persecuted him
1 Peter 4:3–4 [Righteous despised for not joining drunken parties]
1 John 3:12 Cain slew [Abel] because his own works were evil
C. Because truth is a witness against evil:
1 Kings 22:17–27 [Micaiah imprisoned for prophesying the truth]
2 Chronicles 16:7–10 [Asa imprisons Hanani for prophesying against him]
2 Chronicles 24:20–21 [King has Zechariah stoned for rebuking the people]
Jeremiah 32:2–3 [Jeremiah imprisoned for prophesying the truth]
Amos 5:10 They abhor him that speaketh uprightly
John 7:7 It [the world] hateth me [Jesus], because I testify of it
Acts 6:10–15 [Stephen stoned for rebuking Jews] (See also Acts 7:51–60.)
Revelation 1:9 [John exiled to Patmos for preaching the word]
(See also Revelation 12:17; 20:4.)
D. Ignorance of the truth:
Acts 3:13–14 I wot that through ignorance ye did it (See also 3:17.)
1 Timothy 1:13 [I] was a persecutor … I did it ignorantly in unbelief
E. Not truly knowing God:
John 5:18,38,42 Ye have not his word … ye have not the love of God
John 8:37 Ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place
John 15:21 They [persecutors] know not him [God] that sent me
John 15:24 Now have they … hated both me and my Father
John 16:3 Because they have not known the Father, nor me
Acts 13:27–28 They knew him not … nor yet the voices of prophets
F. Self-righteous, misguided religious zeal:
John 16:2 Whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service (See also Isaiah 66:5.)
Acts 13:50 Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women
Acts 21:27–32 Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth
Acts 22:3–4 Zealous … I persecuted this way unto the death
Acts 23:12–14 [40 men vowed and conspired to kill Paul]
Acts 26:9–11 I thought I ought to do many things contrary to Jesus
Galatians 1:13–14 Persecuted … being exceedingly zealous of traditions
Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church
G. For breaking religious traditions and doctrines:
Matthew 12:10–14 Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?
John 5:16 [Angry Jews seek to kill Jesus for healing on Sabbath]
John 10:31–33 For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy
H. Religious jealousy and fear of competition:
Matthew 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him
Mark 11:18 Feared him, because people astonished at his doctrine
Acts 13:44–45 When the Jews saw the multitudes … filled with envy
Acts 17:5 Jews which believed not, moved with envy … assaulted
I. Because we do not belong to this world:
John 15:19 Because ye are not of world … the world hateth you
John 17:14 World hated them, because they are not of the world
1 John 4:5–6 They are of the world … we are of God
J. Persecution by corrupt rich:
Acts 19:23–27 By this craft we have our wealth … but Paul persuaded
James 2:6–7 Rich men oppress, draw you before judgement seat
Revelation 17:1–6,18 That great city … drunken with the blood of saints
K. Wickedness, pride:
Psalm 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor
Psalm 74:22 The foolish man reproacheth thee daily
Psalm 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me
L. For refusing to compromise faith:
Daniel 3:14–20 We will not serve thy god, nor worship the … image
Daniel 6:4–5 [Jealous princes accuse Daniel regarding his faith]
M. For refusing to worship the Antichrist and his image:
Revelation 13:14–17 As many as would not worship the image … be killed
Revelation 20:4 Beheaded … had not worshipped the beast
N. For no valid reason at all:
Psalm 119:86 They persecute me wrongfully
Psalm 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause
John 15:25 They hated me without a cause (See also Psalm 69:4.)
5. PERSECUTION USUALLY BEGINS WITH VERBAL ATTACKS:
A. Slander, infamy, lies:
Psalm 69:9–12 I became a proverb to them … they speak against me
Psalm 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision
Matthew 5:11 Men shall revile you … and say all manner of evil
Luke 6:22 Men shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil
Luke 22:63–65 Men that held Jesus mocked him … blasphemously spake
Acts 14:2 Made their minds evil affected against the brethren
Acts 28:22 This sect … everywhere it is spoken against
1 Corinthians 4:13 Defamed … we are made as the filth of the world
(See also Psalm 35:16,21.)
B. Persecutors twist words to defame:
Isaiah 29:21 Make a man an offender for a word … lay a snare
Isaiah 56:5 Every day they wrest my words … their thoughts evil
Matthew 22:15 Took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk
Mark 12:13 They send Pharisees … to catch him in his words
Luke 11:54 Seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him
Luke 20:20 Take hold of his words … deliver him to the governor
C. Lying accusations and false charges:
Psalm 35:11 False witnesses … laid to my charge things I knew not
Jeremiah 38:4 [Treason:] seeketh not the welfare … but the hurt
Matthew 26:59–61 Chief priests … sought false witness against Jesus
Luke 23:2 We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute [pay taxes]
Luke 23:5 [Sedition:] He stirreth up the people
Acts 6:11–13 We have heard him speak blasphemous words
Acts 16:19–21 These men exceedingly trouble city … teach customs
Acts 17:5–7 These … do contrary to the decrees of Caesar
Acts 18:12–13 Persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law
Acts 24:5 Pestilent, mover of sedition, ringleader of sect
2 Timothy 2:8–9 I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds
(See also Psalm 94:20.)
D. Character assassination:
Luke 7:34 Behold a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber
Luke 7:12 Nay; but he deceiveth the people
John 9:24 We know that this man [Jesus] is a sinner
E. Accusations of being “of the Devil”:
Matthew 10:24–25 They called [Jesus] Beelzebub, how much more [us]
Matthew 9:34 He casteth out devils through the prince of devils
Mark 3:22 He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils
John 10:20 Many said, he hath a devil … why hear ye him?
F. Charges of religious insanity:
Mark 3:21 Went to lay hold on him: said, He is beside himself
Acts 26:24 Much learning [of the scriptures] doth make thee mad
G. Persecution through fear of society’s disapproval:
John 9:22 Parents feared Jews: for Jews had agreed that if any
John 12:42 [Some believing] chief rulers … did not confess him, lest they be put out of the synagogue
6. PERSECUTION FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
Jeremiah 12:6 Thy brethren … have called a multitude after thee
Matthew 10:21 Brother shall deliver up the brother to death
Matthew 10:35–36 A man’s foes shall be they of his own household
Mark 3:21 Friends … went out to lay hold on him
Mark 6:4 Prophet is … without honour among kin, and in own house
Luke 12:51–53 There shall be five in one house divided
Luke 21:16 Ye shall be betrayed by parents, brethren, friends
John 7:1–5 [Jesus’ brethren taunt Him]
1 Thessalonians 2:14–16 Ye also have suffered … of your own countrymen
(See also Micah 7:2; John 1:11.)
7. THE WORLD PERSECUTED AND REJECTED JESUS:
A. Evil plots and persecution against Jesus:
Matthew 12:14 Held council against him, how they might destroy him
Matthew 26:3–4 Consulted that they might take him by subtilty and kill
Luke 4:28–29 Led him unto the hill … that they might cast him down
Luke 6:11 Filled with madness; and communed what they might do
Luke 19:47 Chief priests and scribes … sought to destroy him
John 5:16 Therefore did Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay
John 11:57 Given commandment, if any man knew where he were
(See also Luke 20:20.)
B. Look to Jesus’ example of suffering persecution:
Isaiah 53:3,7–8 Despised and rejected of men … afflicted … cut off
John 15:18 The world … hated me before it hated you
John 15:20 If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you
Hebrews 12:2–4 Consider him who endured such contradiction
Hebrews 13:13 Let us go forth unto him … bearing his reproach
1 Peter 2:21–23 Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example
1 Peter 4:1 Christ suffered … arm yourselves with the same mind
C. When persecuting Christians, they persecute Jesus:
Zechariah 2:8 He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye
Matthew 25:40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … ye have done it unto me
Acts 9:1–5 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts 5:38–39 Refrain from these men … lest ye fight against God
8. COMPROMISING, FLEEING, AND AVOIDING PERSECUTION:
A. Bad examples of compromising to avoid persecution:
2 Kings 5:15,17–18 [Naaman believed in God, but bowed down to the pagan idol of Rimmon]
Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men speak well of you
John 12:42 Rulers … did not confess him, lest they be put out
Galatians 6:12 Lest they suffer persecution for cross of Christ
B. Fleeing from persecution (discretion, not cowardice):
1 Kings 19:2–3 [Elijah fled from the wicked queen Jezebel]
Jeremiah 26:20–21 [Urijah fled from king Jehoiakim to Egypt]
Jeremiah 36:19,26 Go, hide thee … and let no man know where ye be
Matthew 2:13–14 Arise, and take the young child … and flee into Egypt
Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in this city, flee ye to another
Matthew 12:14–15 When Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence
John 7:1 He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews
John 10:39–40 They sought again to take him: but he escaped
John 11:53–54 He walked no more openly among the Jews; but went
Acts 9:23–25 Took [Paul] by night, and let him down in a basket
Acts 14:5–6 An assault made … they were ware of it, and fled
Acts 17:5,10 Assaulted … brethren sent away Paul and Silas by night
Acts 17:13–14 Jews … stirred up to people … brethren sent away Paul
Acts 23:12–35 [470 Roman soldiers helped Paul flee a conspiracy]
C. Pray to avoid persecution, if possible:
2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 Pray … that we may be delivered from wicked men
1 Timothy 2:1–2 Prayers … that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
D. Use wisdom to avoid stirring up unnecessary persecution:
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him
Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly … lest he deliver
Romans 12:18–21 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men … overcome evil with good
9. GOD WILL JUDGE YOUR PERSECUTORS:
A. The Psalmist’s prayers for God to protect His people and judge their enemies:
(See Psalm 3:all; 5:8–12; 6:10; 7:all; 9:3–5,9–10,13–20; 10:all; 12:all; 13:all; 17:4–15; 18:37–50;
21:7–13; 23:5; 27:1–6,11–14; 28:all; 31:all; 34:1–7; 35:all; 37:all; 38:12–22; 40:13–17; 41:5–11;
43:all; 52:all; 53:1–5; 54:all; 55:1–9,18,23; 56:all; 57:1–6; 58:all; 62:1–8; 63:8–11; 64:all; 68:1–3;
69:4,22–30; 70:all; 71:4,10–13; 82:3–4; 83:1–4,12–18; 94:1–7,16,21–23; 105:12–15; 109:all;
118:5–14; 119:84,126; 120:2; 124:all; 125:3–5; 129:1–6; 139:19–22; 140:all; 143:3–4,9–12;
144:6–11; 149:5–9.)
B. Other prayers:
(See Jeremiah 15:15; 17:18; 18:18–23; Lamentations 3:59–66; Revelation 6:9–10.)
C. God’s judgement on persecutors:
Deuteronomy 30:7 Lord put curses on enemies which persecuted thee
2 Chronicles 36:16 Wrath of the Lord arose … till there was no remedy
Psalm 7:11–16 He ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors
Psalm 11:2,5–6 Upon the wicked he shall rain fire and brimstone
Psalm 37:12–15,17 The Lord shall laugh at him, for he seeth that his day is coming
Psalm 105:14–15 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm
Isaiah 54:15 Whosoever shall gather against thee shall fall
Jeremiah 20:2–6 [Pashur persecuted Jeremiah, then Jeremiah prophesied God’s judgements against him]
Luke 11:49–51 Blood of prophets … be required of this generation
1 Thessalonians 2:15–16 Forbidding us to speak … wrath is come upon them
2 Thessalonians 1:6–9 Recompense tribulation to them that trouble you
(See also Revelation 16:1–6; 18:2,4–8.)
10. ENDTIME PERSECUTION:
A. Suffering persecution in the last days:
Matthew 24:9–10 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted
Mark 13:12–13 Brother shall betray brother to death
Luke 21:12,16–17 They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute
2 Timothy 3:1–3 In the last days … despisers of them that are good
B. Persecution during the great tribulation:
Deuteronomy 4:30–31 When thou art in tribulation … in the latter days
Daniel 11:33–35 They shall fall by sword, flame, captivity, spoil … they shall be helped
Matthew 24:21–22 Then shall be great tribulation
Mark 13:19 In those days shall be affliction, such as was not
Revelation 12:12–13,17 Dragon persecuted the woman [church] … war with remnant
Revelation 13:7 It was given unto him to make war with the saints
Revelation 13:15 As many as would not worship the image … killed
Revelation 20:4 Beheaded for witness … had not worshipped the beast
C. The tribulation saints will be greatly rewarded:
Revelation 7:13–17 Came out of great tribulation … before throne of God
Revelation 20:4 Beheaded … reigned with Christ a thousand years