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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Expecting Trials and Persecution</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/e/expecting_trials_and_persecution.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/john/15-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/e/expecting.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Expecting Trials and Persecution</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/e/expecting_injustice.htm" title="Expecting Injustice">◄</a> Expecting Trials and Persecution <a href="/topical/e/expectingly.htm" title="Expectingly">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Introduction</b><br><br>The theme of trials and persecution is a recurrent motif throughout the Bible, serving as a reminder to believers of the challenges they may face in their walk of faith. Scripture provides both warnings and encouragement, preparing Christians to endure hardships for the sake of righteousness and the gospel.<br><br><b>Biblical Foundation</b><br><br>The Bible explicitly teaches that trials and persecution are to be expected by those who follow Christ. Jesus Himself warned His disciples of the inevitability of persecution. In the Gospel of John, He states, "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first" (<a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18</a>). This passage underscores the reality that the world’s animosity towards Christ extends to His followers.<br><br>The Apostle Paul also addresses this theme, emphasizing that suffering is an integral part of the Christian experience. In his letter to Timothy, Paul writes, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (<a href="/2_timothy/3-12.htm">2 Timothy 3:12</a>). This assertion highlights the certainty of persecution for those committed to living according to the teachings of Christ.<br><br><b>Purpose of Trials</b><br><br>Trials and persecution serve a divine purpose in the life of a believer. They are not random or meaningless but are used by God to refine and strengthen faith. James encourages believers to "consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (<a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-3</a>). This perspective shifts the focus from the pain of trials to the spiritual growth they produce.<br><br>Peter echoes this sentiment, explaining that trials test the genuineness of faith, which is "more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire" (<a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">1 Peter 1:7</a>). The refining process of trials purifies faith, resulting in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.<br><br><b>Response to Persecution</b><br><br>The biblical response to persecution is one of steadfastness and love. Jesus instructs His followers to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (<a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a>). This radical call to love and prayer reflects the transformative power of the gospel and the believer’s reliance on God’s strength.<br><br>The early church exemplified this response, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. When faced with threats and imprisonment, the apostles rejoiced "that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (<a href="/acts/5-41.htm">Acts 5:41</a>). Their joy in suffering was rooted in their identification with Christ and their hope in His promises.<br><br><b>Encouragement and Hope</b><br><br>Despite the inevitability of trials, Scripture offers profound encouragement and hope. Jesus assures His followers, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world" (<a href="/john/16-33.htm">John 16:33</a>). This promise of victory through Christ provides believers with the assurance that their suffering is not in vain.<br><br>Paul further comforts the church in Rome, declaring, "For I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us" (<a href="/romans/8-18.htm">Romans 8:18</a>). This future glory far outweighs any present hardship, offering a perspective that sustains believers through trials.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>The expectation of trials and persecution is a sobering yet essential aspect of the Christian faith. Through Scripture, believers are equipped to face these challenges with courage, love, and hope, trusting in the sovereign purposes of God and the ultimate victory secured in Christ.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/e/expecting.htm">Expecting</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/expecting.htm">Expecting (22 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/travelers.htm">Travelers (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/traveling.htm">Traveling (22 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/travellers.htm">Travellers (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/expects.htm">Expects (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ensign.htm">Ensign (21 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/passengers.htm">Passengers (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/circuit.htm">Circuit (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/setteth.htm">Setteth (116 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/opening.htm">Opening (242 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bright.htm">Bright (85 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hoped.htm">Hoped (29 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/e/expecting_injustice.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Expecting Injustice"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Expecting Injustice" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/e/expectingly.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Expectingly"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Expectingly" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>