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Persecution of God's People in the End Times

The persecution of God's people is a recurring theme in biblical prophecy concerning the end times, often presented as a period of intense suffering before divine intervention and judgment [8, 9]. This persecution is not arbitrary but is understood within a larger theological framework involving God's justice and ultimate triumph.

Scripture indicates that those who live godly lives in Christ should expect to suffer persecution [4]. Jesus himself experienced persecution, voluntarily submitting to it and enduring it patiently [4]. The suffering of saints is sometimes described as being "for the sake of God" [4]. The Bible also states that persecution of God's people is, in essence, a persecution of Christ himself [4]. This suffering is foretold as a characteristic of the end times, with passages like Mark 13:9-13 providing encouragement for believers to endure and remain faithful despite these trials [8]. The book of Revelation also summons God's holy people to endure and remain faithful while experiencing temporary persecution [9].

The origins of such persecution are attributed to various factors, including ignorance of God and Christ, hatred toward God and Christ, hatred toward the gospel, pride, and mistaken zeal [4]. However, the persecution faced by God's people is distinct from the afflictions experienced by the wicked. The afflictions of the wicked are often described as judicially sent by God, serving as examples to others [1]. These afflictions are multiplied, continual, and can be sudden [1]. The wrath of God is said to come upon "the sons of disobedience" because of their actions [3, 14]. This divine wrath is righteous and is manifested in terrors and judgments [5].

While God's people may experience judgment, there is also a promise of restoration [13]. The "day of the Lord" is a significant concept in this context, referring to a time when God will inflict judgment [12]. This judgment is not only for those who rebel against God but also for nations [6, 11]. Isaiah 66:24, for instance, gives a final warning of the severity of God's judgment on the wicked, stating that they will have no hope or relief from suffering [6]. Similarly, Colossians 3:6 warns that "the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience" [3]. The Lord's people may feel the "burning wind and roaring blast of God’s judgment" [10].

However, the persecution of God's people is temporary [9]. At the coming of the Son of Man, his chosen people—those who believe and follow him—will be gathered from all over the world [8]. This hope of gathering is frequently expressed in the Old Testament [8]. The Lord will judge his own people, and once God moves to judge a person, no one can rescue them from his hand [7]. The anger of God, though righteous, is also described as slow and can be averted by Christ, through belief, or by confession of sin and repentance [5]. The ultimate outcome for those who persecute God's people is destruction, as Lamentations 3:66 states, "Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the Lord" [2].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions of the Wicked, The — God is glorified in -- Ex 14:4; Eze 38:22,23. God holds in derision -- Ps 37:13; Pr 1:26,27. Are multiplied -- De 31:17; Job 20:12-18; Ps 32:10. Are continual -- Job 15:20; Ec 2:23; Isa 32:10. Are often sudden -- Ps 73:10; Pr 6:15; Isa 30:13; Re 18:10. Are often judicially sent -- Job 21:17; Ps 107:17; Jer 30:15. Are for examples to others -- Ps 64:7-9; Zep 3:6,7; 1Co 10:5-11; 2Pe 2:6. Are ineffectual of themselves, for their conversion -- Ex 9:30; Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30; Hag 2:17. Their persecution of saints, a cause of -- De 30:7; Ps 55”
  2. Lamentations “Lamentations 3:66 (KJV) — Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the Lord.”
  3. Colossians “Colossians 3:6 (BSB) — Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger of God, The — Averted by Christ -- Lu 2:11,14; Ro 5:9; 2Co 5:18,19; Eph 2:14,17; Col 1:20; 1Th 1:10. Is averted from them that believe -- Joh 3:14-18; Ro 3:25; 5:1. Is averted upon confession of sin and repentance -- Job 33:27,28; Ps 106:43-45; Jer 3:12,13; 18:7,8; 31:18-20; Joe 2:12-14; Lu 15:18-20. Is slow -- Ps 103:8; Isa 48:9; Jon 4:2; Na 1:3. Is righteous -- Ps 58:10,11; La 1:18; Ro 2:6,8; 3:5,6; Re 16:6,7. The justice of, not to be questioned -- Ro 9:18,20,22. Manifested in terrors -- Ex 14:24; Ps 76:6-8; Jer 10:10; La 2:20-22. Manifested in judgments and”
  6. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 66:24: 66:24 Isaiah gives a final warning of the severity of God’s judgment. The book begins and ends with the condemnation of those who have rebelled (see 1:2-4). • The judgment of God on wicked humans will generate utter horror because such people will have no hope and no relief from suffering (see also Matt 5:22; 25:41; Mark 9:47-48; Rev 20:11-15).”
  7. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:30: 10:30-31 “The Lord will judge his own people”: Deut 32:36; cp. 1 Pet 4:17-18. • That God will pay them back and will judge his own people shows the dreadful circumstances of those who have rejected Christ. Once God moves to judge a person, no one can rescue that person out of God’s hand (Deut 32:39).”
  8. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 13:27: 13:27 The Son of Man, at his coming, will gather his chosen people—those who believe in him and follow him—from all over the world (see Zech 2:6) and from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven (see Deut 13:7; 30:4; Isa 42:10; 62:11). This hope is expressed frequently in the Old Testament (e.g., Ps 107:2-3; Isa 11:11-16; 27:12-13; 43:5-13; 49:12; 60:1-9; Jer 31:10). For Mark’s readers, this passage would have provided encouragement to endure and remain faithful despite the persecutions foretold in Mark 13:9-13. The Son of Man’s coming will also bring judgment on”
  9. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 13:10: 13:10 God’s holy people are summoned to endure and remain faithful while experiencing temporary persecution.”
  10. Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 4:11: 4:11-12 The Lord’s people would soon feel the burning wind and roaring blast of God’s judgment (13:24; Hos 13:15).”
  11. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 34:1: 34:1-17 This prophecy of judgment was against the nations at the terrifying day of the Lord (see study note on 2:5-22; see also 63:1-6).”
  12. Obadiah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Obadiah 1:15: The day of the Lord is near - God will not associate thee with him in the judgments which he inflicts. Thou also art guilty and shalt have thy punishment in due course with the other sinful nations.”
  13. Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 4:1: 4:1-22 Although God’s people still experience his judgment, they will soon experience restoration.”
  14. Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 3:6: The wrath of God cometh - God is angry with such persons, and he inflicts on them the punishment which they deserve.”
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