What Does The Bible Say About Persecution? Behold, there is just no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living the Christian life. Following Jesus has never been the easiest thing to do. Faithfulness to His ways comes with lots of persecutions, rejections, and life obstacles. However, He had already won victory over the world and we know that in Him, we are victors. As Christians, we can expect to face persecutions for having believed in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of those who come to Him and gives them everlasting life. Hence, you should not find persecution against your faith strange when it comes. Even Apostle Paul warned that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Jesus Christ Himself said that, if they persecuted Him, they will also persecute His followers (John 15:20). It’s not strange that Christians are hated by the world. Remember that the world first hated Christ and persecuted Him although He had done no wrong. If the master was hated, persecuted, and even killed, what more of His servants? However, the strength of His Resurrection is sufficient for us to successfully go through all challenges that stand in the way of our faith. And behold, successfully running the Christian race leads to Eternal Life in the presence of God Almighty. And behold, successfully running the Christian race has to do with Believing, Sincerely Repenting, and obeying the Key Teachings of Jesus Christ.
What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
What does the Scripture say about Persecution?
One might ask, “why the persecution?” In simple terms, if Christians were like the world – earthly, canal, vain, sensual, and given to unregulated pleasure, ambition, and wealth, the world will not oppose them the way they are currently doing. Christians are persecuted because they do not belong to the world (see John 15:18–19). Someone might ask, “how?” It is important to understand that although Christians dwell in this world, they are not part of it because they are governed by different principles from those of the world. Unlike the world that is driven by the love of sin, evil, and wickedness, Christians are motivated by the Love of God and the desire for Holiness through Christ. It is our separation from the world that arouses its animosity (1 Peter 4:3–4).
Facts about Christian Persecution that you should know
1. The persecution of Christians allows them to share in a unique fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ
It is high time for Christians to learn what it takes to recognize the value of persecution for their faith or believe in God. In short, they should even learn to rejoice during moments of persecutions. We can learn from the book of Acts 16:16-40 that the more Paul and Silas were persecuted, the more they rejoiced and gave praise to God for His goodness. Although their bodies were covered with wounds from intense torturing and whipping, they kept praying and thanking God. They found their suffering in prison as a reason to pray the more, sing and praise God the more.
Apostle Paul went forth to outline a good number of things that he had surrendered for the cause of Christ. As for these losses, he viewed them as “rubbish” or “dung” (Philippians 3:8) that he might be granted the honor by God to share in the “fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). Apostle Paul viewed his chains as a favor (grace) that God had bestowed upon him (Philippians 1:7).
2. Christian persecution is good for believers
Truth be told, Christian persecution is good for believers. Apostle James taught in support of the fact that Christian persecution is good for believers. He pointed out that trials test the Christian’s faith, develop endurance in his life, and boost the growth of his spiritual life leading to maturity in the faith (James 1:2–4). Just as steel is tempered in the forge, trials and persecutions serve to strengthen the character of believers. A Christian yielding graciously to persecution actually demonstrates that he is of superior quality when compared to his advisories (see Hebrews 11:38).
We all know how easy it is to be hateful, and wicked but Christ-likeness produces compassion, love, kindness, and blessing in the face of evil opposition. Apostle Peter says of Jesus Christ, “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).
3. Christian persecution enables believers to better value the support of true friends
Behold, conflict has the ability to bring together the faithful children of God in an encouraging and supportive way they might not have known otherwise. Here, we are trying to say that hardship can stimulate the Lord’s people towards a greater resolve to love and comfort one another as they lift one another to the throne of grace in prayer. Truth be told, there is just nothing like an unpleasant event or incident to help us reach a greater level of brotherly love.
4. Persecution must come
While in the prison yard awaiting execution, Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). It is important to understand here that “All” is not a throwaway word in this verse. Brethren, let no one deceive you because Apostle Paul meant it. Any person who publicly lives as a Christian will definitely experience some form of persecution, or resistance from the world.
This verse from Apostle Paul ought to re-calibrate our expectations and align them according to God’s will. That is, we should actually be surprised when we do not face persecutions, not when we do, because God’s word promises us that they are bound to come. However, this does not make experiencing persecution easier any more than knowing your due date makes giving birth less painful. Whatever the case, we know that God is our strength and He will see us through.
5. God manifests His Strength to those being persecuted for the sake of His Kingdom
In ignorance, the Corinthians were looking down on Paul’s persecutions as a sign that God’s blessing and favor were not upon his ministry. This pushed many of them to thinking that Paul was not an Apostle to follow. Paul corrected their thinking by saying that, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).
It is rather unfortunate but common that many Christians define success in life as triumphalism and do equate strength with accomplishment. This is a mistake that we should all avoid. Apostle Paul turns this common thinking on its head. Behold brethren, let no one deceive you, for experiencing good health and wealth is not always a sign that God’s power is with you, but rather than you are successfully enduring persecution through the strength that He gives you.
6. There is blessing in persecution
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pointed to the fact that persecutions unlock heavenly blessings. He encouraged His disciples to remain strong on their feet, and firm as they hold to the ways of God for such brings mercy and favor. Let’s support this message by reading from Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus views persecution as being troubled because f your believe or faith, being reviled, and having false things uttered about you. Brethren, could there be a better blessing anywhere else than membership in the kingdom of Heaven? Hence, those who endure opposition in this world for the sake of Christ and His teachings can be certain of the fact that they belong to the world to come which happens to be the best.
7. God sees the purity of those who have given their lives for the sake of Christ
In Apostle John’s vision of the seal judgments, the fifth seal depicts/reveals the souls of those who had been martyred because of their witness or testimony about Jesus Christ. John says in Revelation 6:10-11 – “They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer.” In the book of Revelation written by John under the instructions of Christ, white clothing represents a pure life (see also Revelation 3:4-5; 7:9-14; 19:8).
All those who are persecuted are viewed to be on the wrong, even evil, by their persecutors. However, when we face persecutions because of our faith or believe in Christ, we can be sure that God perceives us as righteous before His presence. Knowing that God is pleased with us helps to keep the flame of hope burning in us even in the face of life-threatening situations.
8. God will vindicate those who are persecuted
Later in Revelation, Apostle John sees the moment that the souls mentioned in Revelation 6:10-11 had been waiting for. Let’s get what he saw by reading from Revelation 19:1-3 – “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants…Hallelujah, the smoke from her goes up forever.” One might say that it sounds odd for God’s people to celebrate His vengeance and judgement. Chances are high that anyone who sees things from this angle hasn’t assisted the persecution and execution of a loved one for the sake of the Gospel.
It is rather unfortunate that many have lost their sense of God’s judgement as being “true and just.” This happens to be a comforting verse for all those who have assisted the persecution and execution of their loved ones, brothers, sisters, parents, and friends for the sake of Christ and His teachings. It restores their hope and reassures them that God’s judgement is true and just.
Still on what the Bible says about persecution, we should continuously press on even in the face of Christian persecution. For Christ holds a reward for each and everyone of us who successfully runs the Christian race. In everything, we should thank God for His Grace and Patience. In this light, we should learn to express gratitude for those whom we love in the lord and those who stand with us in times of distress or persecutions. We should also forgive, and pray for those who persecute us, misuse or abuse us ( Romans 10:1; 2 Corinthians 11:24).
What The Bible Says About Persecution
John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
Luke 6:22 – “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 – “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Timothy 3:12 – “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Psalm 31:15 – “My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.”
Romans 12:14 – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Matthew 5:44 – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 5:11 – “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
Romans 8:35 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”
Group 1 – What The Bible Says About Persecution
Acts 22:7 – “I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’”
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Mark 10:29-30 – “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.”
1 Peter 4:12-14 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
Matthew 5:44 – “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2 Timothy 3:12 – “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,“
Group 2 – What The Bible Says About Persecution
Luke 6:22 – “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!”
Matthew 5:10-12 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
2 Corinthians 12:10 – “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
John 15:20 – “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”
1 Peter 3:14 – “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,”
1 John 3:13 – “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.”
Romans 8:35 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”
1 Peter 3:17 – “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
Group 3 – What The Bible Says About Persecution
Acts 14:22 – “Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
1 Peter 4:16 – “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.“
1 Peter 3:16 – “Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
Romans 12:14 – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Galatians 5:11 – “But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.”
1 Peter 4:19 – “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
John 15:19 – “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Group 4 – What The Bible Says About Persecution
Revelation 6:9-11 – “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”
Romans 12:17-21– “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Group 5 – What The Bible Says About Persecution
2 Corinthians 4:8-12 – “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”
Revelation 2:10 – “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Acts 8:1 – “And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
Matthew 5:11 – “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Revelation 1:9 – “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Mark 10:29-30 – Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”
John 16:2 – “They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”
Mark 4:17 – “And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.”
Matthew 10:22 – “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Philippians 1:29 – “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,“
Romans 8:35-39 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Mark 10:30 – “Who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”
1 Peter 4:12-16 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”
1 John 3:1 – “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
John 15:18-20 – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.“
Psalm 31:15 – “My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!”
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Romans 8:7 – “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”
John 17:14 -“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
Matthew 13:21 – “Yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.”
Jeremiah 20:11 – “But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.”
1 Peter 4:12 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Revelation 17:6 – “And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.”
Romans 8:35-37 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Hebrews 12:3 – “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
John 15:18-21 – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.”
Philippians 1:12-14 – “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Matthew 13:20-21 – “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Acts 11:19 – “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.”
Psalm 34:19 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-11 – “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
Acts 14:21-22 – “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Revelation 20:4 – “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
John 16:1-4 – “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.”
Acts 13:50 – “But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
Psalm 91:1-16 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, …”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Mark 13:13 – “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Revelation 6:10 – They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
2 Timothy 3:10-12 – “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
Matthew 23:34 – “Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,”
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Revelation 7:14 – I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Amos 5:10 – “They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth.”
Acts 7:59-60 – “And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
1 Peter 4:1 – “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”
Isaiah 53:1-12 – “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ...”
Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. ...”
Psalm 10:2 – “In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.”
Luke 6:23 – “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”
1 Peter 2:1-25 – “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …“
Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Galatians 4:29 – “But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.”
Luke 21:19 – “By your endurance you will gain your lives.“
Mark 13:11-13 – “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Group 16 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Luke 21:13-15 – “This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.”
Romans 8:17 – “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
Philippians 3:6 – “As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”
Matthew 4:17 – From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Group 17 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Revelation 2:8-10 – “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Acts 7:54-60 – “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
Group 18 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Luke 21:12-13 – “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”
John 15:19-21 – “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.”
Group 19 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Psalm 3:1-8 – “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. …”
Romans 10:2 – “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”
2 Timothy 1:8 – “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,”
Group 20 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Luke 21:12 – “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.”
Matthew 5:11-12 – “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Revelation 2:9 – “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”
Matthew 5:12 – “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Group 21 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
Acts 7:52 – “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,”
Romans 5:3 – “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,”
1 Peter 4:4 – “With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;”
Matthew 24:21 – “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.“
Group 22 – What Does The Bible Say About Persecution?
James 5:10 – “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”
1 Peter 4:14 – “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
John 15:18-25 – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. …”
