8795 persecution, nature of
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8794 persecution  »  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

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

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 2:10,13

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

Earthly governments

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

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 22:4

Powers that persecute the church are symbolised by beasts and Babylon:

Revelation 13:7,15; Revelation 17:6

Family and friends

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

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; Corinthians 11:23-26; Hebrews 11:32-38

Believers must expect persecution

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

Persecution is part of the tribulation of the church

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

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

See also

1620  beatitudes, the
1660  Sermon on the Mount
4025  world, the
4120  Satan
5215  authority
5292  defence, divine
5680  family
5690  friends
8116  discipleship, cost
8785  opposition
8790  oppression
9140  last days



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