Topical Bible: Persecution: The Wicked: Illustrated

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Persecution, as depicted in the Bible, often involves the wicked targeting the righteous, driven by malice, envy, or opposition to God's truth. This theme is recurrent throughout Scripture, illustrating the conflict between good and evil.

Old Testament Examples:

1. Cain and Abel: The first instance of persecution is found in Genesis 4, where Cain, driven by jealousy and anger, persecutes and ultimately murders his brother Abel. Abel's righteous offering was accepted by God, while Cain's was not, leading to Cain's wrath. "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen?'" (Genesis 4:6).

2. Joseph and His Brothers: Joseph faced persecution from his own brothers, who were envious of his favored status and his prophetic dreams. They sold him into slavery, intending to harm him. Despite their wicked intentions, God used these events for good. "When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him" (Genesis 37:4).

3. David and Saul: King Saul's persecution of David is another vivid example. Saul, consumed by jealousy over David's success and popularity, sought to kill him. David, however, remained faithful to God and refused to retaliate against Saul. "Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul" (1 Samuel 18:12).

New Testament Examples:

1. Jesus Christ: The ultimate example of persecution is seen in the life of Jesus Christ. Despite His sinless nature and His mission of salvation, He was despised and rejected by the religious leaders and ultimately crucified. "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3).

2. The Apostles: The early church faced significant persecution, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. The apostles were imprisoned, beaten, and even martyred for their faith. Peter and John, for instance, were arrested for preaching the resurrection of Jesus. "They called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus" (Acts 4:18).

3. Stephen: Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death by a mob incited by false accusations. His steadfast faith and vision of Christ at the right hand of God exemplify the courage of the persecuted. "While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit'" (Acts 7:59).

Principles and Promises:

The Bible acknowledges that persecution is a reality for those who live godly lives. Jesus warned His followers of this inevitability: "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first" (John 15:18). However, Scripture also offers comfort and assurance. Believers are encouraged to endure persecution with faith, knowing that their reward is great in heaven. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).

Persecution serves as a refining process, strengthening the faith of believers and advancing the gospel. The wicked may intend harm, but God uses persecution to fulfill His purposes, as seen throughout biblical history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 21:33-39
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and dig a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went into a far country:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Era of Persecution
... the statue of the emperor was wicked idolatry and ... To understand persecution rightly,
it is necessary not only ... This is illustrated in the cases of the renowned ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iii the era of persecution.htm

Genesis
... but ineffectual intercession for the wicked cities of ... the dreamer, who rose through
persecution and prison ... waits upon sin more dramatically illustrated than in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/genesis.htm

Appendix.
... has acted a tyrannical and wicked part by ... same principles which the martyrs practically
illustrated, be it ... the Protesting Church, free from persecution, if the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/appendix.htm

Epistle Liv. To Cornelius, Concerning Fortunatus and Felicissimus ...
... great and wonderful works, and illustrated the attributes ... proved heretic, [2560]
condemned for wicked sacrifices and ... fell himself in the persecution, but cast ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle liv to cornelius concerning.htm

Clement of Alexandria.
... divine, teacher of philosophy, 367. Lord's day, illustrated by Greek authors, 469. ...
Persecution, how understood, 598. ... of the wicked, 535. of the true. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/clement of alexandria.htm

Of the Lord's Passion, and that it was Foretold.
... ought to take place in every persecution, that no ... This event providentially illustrated
the extreme wickedness of what ... for men deserving the scourge; wicked men ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xviii of the lords passion.htm

Heralds of the Morning.
... Following this persecution, according to the words of Christ ... world for their evil,
and the wicked for their ... This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /17 heralds of the morning.htm

Heralds of the Morning
... Following this persecution, according to the words of Christ ... world for their evil,
and the wicked for their ... This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 17 heralds of the.htm

Index of Subjects.
... why men deny it, [461]526; specially for wicked Christians, [462 ... Persecution,
[745]159; the Church's gain, [746]171 ... Pleonexia, defined and illustrated, [783]307. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

Peter and John Examined by the Council.
... of the temple called Beautiful, and illustrated part of ... exposing themselves to the
scorn and persecution of the ... and punished by tyrants and wicked rulers, who ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture v peter and john.htm