8795 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

Ps 10:2 See also Am 1:6,9; Am 2:1; Hab 1:6-11; Rev 6:8; Rev 9:7-10

Satan is the arch-persecutor of the church

Ge 3:15 See also Job 2:6-7; Zec 3:1; Lk 22:3-4; 1Pe 5:8; Rev 2:10,13

The agencies of persecution

The world Jn 15:18; 1Jn 3:13 See also Mk 12:7; Jn 5:18; Jn 15:19; Jn 17:14; Ac 14:22; 1Th 2:14-15; 1Jn 3:1

Earthly governments Mk 13:9 See also 1Ki 19:2; Ne 6:1,9; Est 3:6; Ps 119:161; Jer 38:6; Da 3:13-17; Mt 10:17; Ac 12:1-3

Religious authorities 1Th 2:13-16 See also Jer 26:8; Am 7:12-13; Mt 23:34-37; Ac 4:27-29; Ac 5:17-18; Ac 22:4 Powers that persecute the church are symbolised by beasts and Babylon: Rev 13:7,15; Rev 17:6

Family and friends Mt 10:36 See also Mic 7:6; Ge 4:8; Mt 10:21; Mk 3:21; Gal 4:29

The experience of persecution

2Co 12:10 See also 1Sa 24:14; Ps 59:1-4; Ps 64:1-4; 2Co 4:8-12; 2Co 11:23-26; Heb 11:32-38

Believers must expect persecution

2Ti 3:12 See also Mt 13:21; Mk 10:29-30; 1Th 3:4

Persecution is part of the tribulation of the church

Mt 24:7-10 See also 2Th 2:3-4; Rev 6:11

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

La 4:16-19 See also Jer 6:22-26; Jer 32:26-29; Jer 39:5-10

See also