Persecution, Tribulation, Troubles, Trials: What the Bible Says to Christians

45 Bible Verses on Persecution, Tribulation, Trials, Troubles and Afflictions

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”
—James 1:2

William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) – The Flagellation of Our Lord Jesus Christ (1880) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
–Tertullian, 1st century AD

Christians in 21st century America have had it drilled into their heads–most, for their entire lives–that they are special; that they will escape persecution.

That they will live lives in Christ Jesus that are different from all other Christians who came before them.

And so, many American Christians, due to popular false teachings, are not prepared for what is soon coming upon the earth.

Worse than being unprepared, many American Christians will not even entertain the idea that they may have to suffer for the name of Christ.  If a Christian gets angry–when times are good– at the mere suggestion they may suffer persecution, will that same Christian “endure to the end?”

In Revelation, especially in chapters 2 and 3, Jesus makes wonderful promises to all who will overcome.  Will that pampered 21st century American Christian be an “overcomer” when hard times appear?

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
–Revelation 2:7

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
–Revelation 2:11

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”
–Revelation 2:17

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.”
–Revelation 2:26-28

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
–Revelation 3:5

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
–Revelation 3:12

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
–Revelation 3:21

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
–Revelation 21:7

To whom did Jesus make these promises?

Many are deceived that they won’t have to ever face persecution; but if for some unknown reason they do face trials and tribulations–as the Bible declares they must–then suddenly, somehow they will be ready for that which they have not mentally or spiritually prepared.

It’s likely those who imagine such things are deceived twice over.

Trusting the Doctrines of Man, not the Bible

Christians in America have been lulled to spiritual sleep by the constant drone of the Christian Mass Media; assuring them that, unlike Christians of every other nation, tongue and tribe–in every other century–American Christians will escape tribulation, trials, troubles, afflictions and persecution.

But what does the Bible have to say?

The Bible paints a much different picture. Most often, unlike modern teachings, it equates persecution with joy, rejoicing and honor.

“And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
–Acts 5:40-42

The Bible speaks of joy–instead of “losers’ being “left behind.”

The Bible plainly states, time and time again, that “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Not some, “all.”  Not perhaps or maybe, “shall.”

How did the end times Christians of America get it so wrong? Well, the Bible also has that answer.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
–2 Timothy 4:3

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:”
–Isaiah 30:9-10

American Christians have gotten not only what they have asked for, but in the case of many who support the Modern American Prophecy Industry, what they have paid for.

Trust in Jesus, not in man

“First, evangelicals all want to trust their “experts” – those leaders who appear in the public eye and state things authoritatively. But many trusted leaders are engaging in this very crisis-solution strategy! They claim to have elite information, intelligence secrets, hidden knowledge, scientific-sounding secrets, or even the ability to be able to decode supernatural things. Some are deemed to have such superior spiritual insights that they are called modern-day prophets!”–Prophecy Mongering

Here is what the Bible has to say about persecution, afflictions, trials and tribulations.

44 Bible Verses on Persecution, Tribulation, Trials and Afflictions

PERSECUTION – PERSECUTIONS

“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.”
–Mark 4:17

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
–Romans 8:35

“That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.” (thereunto = to sufferings; to persecution.)”
–1 Timothy 3:3

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
–2 Timothy 3:12

“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:”
–2 Timothy 1:4

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
–2 Corinthians 12:10

“Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.”
–2 Timothy 3:11

(VIDEO) Persecution is Coming – Michael Boldea

PERSECUTE

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”
–Matthew 5:11

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
–Matthew 5:44

“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”
–Matthew 10:23

“Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:”
–Matthew 23:34

“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.”
–Luke 21:12

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”
–John 15:20

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”
–Romans 12:14

AFFLICTION – AFFLICTIONS

“For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.”
–Mark 13:19

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”
–2 Corinthians 4:17

“How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”
–2 Corinthians 8:4

“And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:”
–1 Timothy 1:6

“Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:”
–1 Timothy 3:7

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”
–Hebrews 11:25

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”
–James 5:10

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,”
–2 Corinthians 6:4

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:”
–Colossians 1:24

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;”
–2 Timothy 1:8

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
–2 Timothy 4:5

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;”
–Hebrews 10:32

“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
–1 Peter 5:9

TRIBULATION – TRIBULATIONS

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
–Matthew 24:21

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”
–Matthew 24:29

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,”
–Mark 13:24

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
–John 16:33

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
–Acts 14:22

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”
–Romans 5:3

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
–Romans 12:12

“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
–2 Corinthians 1:4

“Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”
–2 Corinthians 7:4

“Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”
–Ephesians 3:13

“For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.”
–1 Timothy 3:4

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
–Revelation 1:9

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
–Revelation 2:10

“And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
–Revelation 7:14

TRIALS and TEMPTATIONS

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”
–James 1:2

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
–1 Peter 1:7

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”
–1 Peter 4:12

ALSO – Quotes: ETPR Quote Collections

Not saved?

The gospel of Christ has the power to save!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
—Romans 1:16

THE GOSPEL

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-4 – (h/t:B)

Related articles

• Through Much Tribulation (evangelize4life.org)
• Will Hate Crimes Legislation Usher in Persecution in the USA? (endtimesprophecyreport.wordpress.com)
• End Time Trials, Tribulation, Trouble and Disasters: Put Your Trust in Jesus (endtimesprophecyreport.wordpress.com)
• Left Below (vovatia.wordpress.com)
• What You Need To Know About Israel: They Killed Their Own Prophets and They Killed Jesus Christ Too! (soulrefuge.org)
• Consolation in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) (ymmusings.wordpress.com)
• End Times Deception: The Modern American Prophecy Industry (endtimesprophecyreport.wordpress.com)
• Extreme Persecution Coming to America (vineoflife.net)

by Jeremiah J. Jameson

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-13. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.