Lesson 59 You Can Endure Persecution

[Image:] Two officers escorting a Witness brother in handcuffs past news reporters and fellow Witnesses.

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Sooner or later, all Christians will face opposition, even persecution. Should that alarm us?

1. Why do we expect persecution?

The Bible clearly says: “All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

[Quotation] 2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted. [End Quotation]

Jesus was persecuted because he was no part of Satan’s world. We are also no part of the world, so we are not surprised when we are persecuted by this world’s governments and religious organizations. (John 15:18 and 19)

[Quotation] John 15:18 and 19: If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. [End Quotation]

2. How can we prepare for persecution?

We need to strengthen our trust in Jehovah now. Make time every day to pray to him and to read a portion of his Word. Attend congregation meetings regularly. These activities will give you the strength you need to face any persecution courageously, even if it comes from family members. The apostle Paul, who was often persecuted, wrote: “Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid.” (Hebrews 13:6)

[Quotation] Hebrews 13:6 So that we may be of good courage and say: “Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” [End Quotation]

We can also build our courage by preaching regularly. Preaching teaches us to trust in Jehovah and overcome any fear of man. (Proverbs 29:25)

[Quotation] Proverbs 29:25 Trembling at men is a snare, But the one trusting in Jehovah will be protected. [End Quotation]

If you develop the courage to preach now, you will be well-prepared to keep preaching even if the government restricts our work. (1 Thessalonians 2:2)

[Quotation] 1 Thessalonians 2:2: For although we had first suffered and been insolently treated in Philippi, as you know, we mustered up boldness by means of our God to tell you the good news of God in the face of much opposition. [End Quotation]

3. How do we benefit by enduring persecution?

Of course, we do not enjoy being persecuted, but when we endure persecution successfully, our faith becomes stronger. We draw closer to Jehovah because we experience his help when we feel we can no longer go on. (Read James 1:2 through 4)

[Read scripture] James 1:2 through 4: Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything. [End of Read scripture]

It hurts Jehovah to see us suffer, but it pleases him to see us endure. The Bible says: “If you endure suffering because of doing good, this is an agreeable thing to God.” (1 Peter 2:20)

[Quotation] 1 Peter 2:20: For what merit is there if you are beaten for sinning and you endure it? But if you endure suffering because of doing good, this is an agreeable thing to God. [End Quotation]

The reward Jehovah will give to all who endure faithfully is eternal life in a world free from opposition to true worship. (Matthew 24:13)

[Quotation] Matthew 24:13: But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. [End Quotation]

Dig Deeper

Review why it is possible and rewarding to stick loyally to Jehovah despite persecution.

[Image:] A woman heading to her Bible study despite opposition from her parents.

4. You can endure family opposition

Jesus realistically acknowledged that our family may not support our decision to worship Jehovah. Read Matthew 10:34 through 36, and then discuss the question that follows:

[Read scripture] Matthew 10:34 through 36: Do not think I came to bring peace to the earth; I came to bring, not peace, but a sword. For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Indeed, a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. [End of Read scripture]

What can happen when a family member decides to serve Jehovah?

To see an example of this, play the video Jehovah Took Us In (5:13), and then discuss the question that follows.

[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]

[Click for Transcript]|[Jehovah Took Us In: Adam and Nancy Solomon.]
[Sepa Photos of a man with two children and a woman with dark hair. Nancy Solomon]
Nancy: My family are Hungarian Jews.
[Video of Hitler]
Most of them were killed in concentration camps.
[Nazi army marches]
That’s something that the Holocaust took from me
[Two Jewish women weep]
it took the concept of family.
[Names on documents]
I needed explanations. I needed to know why my family was murdered.
[Photo as a young girl]
It made me really search at a very young age to see if there was a real religion out there.
[Nancy passes a building]
It was just a secular thing to be Jewish; it was a cultural thing.
[On an iron gate, the Star of David]
A friend of mine came up to me and said: I have to tell you something.
[Eternal life book]
“I got this book from one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is the most beautiful book I have ever read.” I said, “Oh, I’ll read it.”
[Turns page]
And it couldn’t have been a week later that I got a knock on my door, and there were two young women at the door who started to talk to me about the Bible.
[In a brown coat, she walks through a city]
Once I started having a study on a regular basis with Carolyn, I enjoyed it more and more. [The Star of David in a gold menorah]
One day my father was home. He just screamed at them and basically threw them out of the house.
[Shaking her head]
It just progressed after that. There was just no peace at any time
[Rain pours]
and a lot of tears. And I just couldn’t understand why they weren’t even asking me: Well, what is it that you like about this religion? “Who are these people? Let us talk to” No, nothing. It was very, very hard.
[She closes her eyes]
Shortly after my baptism, my mother came up to me, and she said: Your father and I are going out for the day. You better not be here when we get home.” I was 17 years old. I didn’t know where I was going to go. I didn’t know what I was going to do.
[Two suitcases]
But I trusted in Jehovah. And I picked up the phone, and I called my Carolyn. In what seemed like minutes, there were brothers and sisters at the house. They were putting my things into this truck and bringing it over to Carolyn’s house. And she said, “You can live with me.”
[A smile spreads across her face]
Before I was baptized, I would drive back and forth to school with a friend of mine. Little by little, I was telling him what I was learning. He said: You know, I want to meet these people. I have some questions.”
Adam: I had questions. I asked them: Why do we die? Why do we grow old? and so forth and so on. And they went right to the Bible,
[Photo of the two teens]
and when I left the house after that, I said, “This is the truth!”
[Photos of Adam as a young boy]
Growing up in my house, going to church every Sunday was something that you had to do. But when I became a teenager, then religion became less in my life, and basketball became more.
[Sneakers]
Being a young man, you’d watch sports, and you’d see that sports players made a lot of money.
[A Basketball]
My teachers would tell my parents: He’s going to be a good basketball player. Take care of him. He could be worth, you know, several hundred thousand dollars by the time he graduates.
[Letters lie on a table]
I received over 125 scholarships. Now you’re talking about a free education just because you can play basketball.
[Newspaper clippings]
So, I realized, you know, at an early age that playing professional basketball could mean a lot, not only for me but for my family.
[A family photo]
So as far as God was concerned, I had a little interest in God (like I would ask my mom questions), but it wasn’t until Nancy brought me to the Witnesses that really something just kicked in.
[He gazes through a fence]
I was studying, and my mom was downstairs in the basement. I heard her crying, and I said, “What’s wrong?” And she said, “I know you’re going to become one of those Jehovah’s Witnesses.” So, realizing in my mind that I’m not going to become a basketball player but that I’m going to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses because that’s more important
[At a basketball court]
that affected me many, many times.
[He turns a basketball in his hands]
When others found out that I was going to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, people shied away. People try to use you when they think you can give them something or you’re going to be somebody big. By going the direction of serving Jehovah completely, you lost all the worldly people that you thought were your friends.
[He leaves the basketball court]
And so that was in one summer that I started the study with Brother Crespo, and in six months, I was baptized.
[Baptism photo]
Nancy: And then we decided to get married.
[Wedding photo]
The scripture that says that ‘even if my own father and my mother would abandon me,’ that even ‘Jehovah would take me in,’ it proved to be true in so many ways.
[Photos with friends]
Once you become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, your part of a family that will do anything for you. We’ve had adversity over the years, but Jehovah never said everything was going to be perfect. What he says is that when you face these problems, you will not face them alone. And Jehovah has never let us down when it comes to that.”
[On a cold day, Nancy and Adam walk hand in hand through leaves]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2019 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]

What would you do if a relative or a friend tried to discourage you from serving Jehovah?

Read Psalm 27:10 and Mark 10:29 and 30. After reading each scripture, discuss the question that follows:

[Read scripture] Psalm 27:10: Even if my own father and mother abandon me, Jehovah himself will take me in. [End of Read scripture]

[Read scripture] Mark 10:29 and 30: Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, no one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not get 100 times more now in this period of time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things, everlasting life. [End of Read scripture]

How may this promise help you if you face opposition from family or friends?

5. Keep worshipping Jehovah despite persecution

It takes courage to serve Jehovah when others try to prevent us from doing so. Play the video Showing Courage Despite Persecution (6:27), and then discuss the question that follows.

[Click for Transcript]|[Showing Courage Despite Persecution]
[Text: In order to protect the identity of the interviewees, the following is a reenactment of their story.] [Sunlight pours over a vast snow -covered mountainous countryside]
Husband: Since my dedication and baptism, I have been serving in a territory where our work is under ban.
[The couple walks through snow.]
Wife: When I was serving in the full-time ministry, I was assigned as a special pioneer to the territory where my future husband had been serving. Then we got married, and now we are sharing in this special avenue of service together.
[They laugh]
Husband: We are persecuted, put on probation, and confronted by government officials. In difficult times, Jehovah personally assures me with the words from Isaiah:
[They study together]
I will fortify you, yes, I will help you.
[Police step out of their car]
The last time government officials came to our place, they took us to their office for questioning.
[After the wife opens the front door, two officers burst in. Alarmed, she peers behind her for her husband]
They said they had no choice, and we went in their car.
[They're swiftly led out]
At that moment, I felt that Jehovah was not only giving me his holy spirit and wisdom but also giving me the physical strength to go. I was so thankful to him.
[The police escorted them into their car]
Wife: Indeed, on that day when we were taken in the car, I prayed to Jehovah, Please help us to be able to give a witness about you.
Husband: A government official even said these words: It’s very interesting for us to talk with you. When we talk with people of other faiths,
[In the rear-view mirror]
We never have our questions fully answered.
[The officer watches them]
But you know the correct answers to our questions and are capable of giving them.
[Comforting his wife]
Wife: Isaiah 31:5 is a big help because there Jehovah is described as being like swooping birds. After all, Jehovah is above me. In this verse he also promises that he will defend and save.
[An eagle soar]
Husband: Encounters with government officials and discussions with them have brought many blessings for our brothers, for our Bible students, and for us. But it has been a good opportunity for policemen too, because there are sincere ones among them who have a lot of questions. We have had good discussions, and I began to view them as my return visits.
[They preached to a man on a bench]
Wife: We have shared with our students how Jehovah is giving us strength, and how he is blessing us when we are talking with government officials. As a result, they are able to stay strong in the faith.
[They cut vegetables]
Husband: After meeting with the police, we never sit at home trembling in fear.
[And eat with friends]
On the contrary, we try to share in field service with our brothers and sisters even more because it’s also an encouragement for them. We spend a lot of time sharing with them how Jehovah glorifies his name.
[They sit on the floor around the table]
In certain situations, through his words in the Psalms, Jehovah shows me that he is on my side,
[Outside together they look at a squirrel]
and I fully believe it. Jehovah indeed is on my side, and he has shown me that people can do nothing to me.
[Holding his arm as they talk, the couple walks in the snow between trees]
[Text: Opposers in Kyrgyzstan burned down a Kingdom Hall. As it was being rebuilt, it was burned down again]
[Photos of the destruction show debris hanging out of the ceiling, bare -framing, and a missing roof]
[Text: Zhanybek and Dariika Kozhomambetov. Kyrgyzstan]
Zhanybek: We participated in the construction when the Kingdom Hall was built the first time.
[A couple of the photos sitting on scaffolding]
Everything was finished very nicely.
[A cream-colored kingdom hall with metal roof]
Then we were involved in the construction of the same Kingdom Hall the second time. And when we were close to the end of the construction and came to the construction site and saw everything burned-out and ruined, we cried.
[Photos of blackened, destroyed kingdom hall]
Dariika: So almost every day, unfriendly neighbors stopped us and continued to say to us: Stop your work. Go out from our village.
[Her husband nods and frowns as she speaks]
In those moments, I just used to pray silently to Jehovah.
[Reading her Bible, she looks up at the sky]
Zhanybek: I was a bit afraid since I still had fresh in my mind all the memories, the difficulties, and how the neighbors threw stones at us.
[Sitting in a kingdom hall, he reads on his tablet and contemplates]
But the words in Isaiah 41:10 gave me strength: Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, . . . I will really hold on to you with my right hand.
[he nods]
Reading these words always gave us power to continue in our service.
[The couples sit together outside]
Dariika: I reflected on the words in Nehemiah 2:17: Come, let us rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, so that this disgrace will not continue. Jehovah wants this Kingdom Hall to be. This is important to the people there, so I wanted the praise for Jehovah, again.
[They hold hands]
Zhanybek: It was more than clear that Jehovah was backing us. We finished construction of that same Kingdom Hall for the third time from the floor to the roof in 45 days.
[Friends clean the hall]
From a human standpoint, this was not possible.
[A little boy wipes chairs]
We worked closely with many elders and ministerial servants.
[Sitting in a circle, brothers cheerfully laugh]
It was an enjoyable experience.
Dariika: We felt Jehovah’s hand. Jehovah strengthened our spirit.
[The sister, along with others, raised their hand to comment]
He encouraged us, and we felt it.
[A sky view of the couple walking on a country road]
Zhanybek: We cannot be silent; we have to praise God. We see him. We know him.
[They preach to a young woman]
Dariika: Jehovah poured out his holy spirit, and we gained confidence that Jehovah is always near and ready to help. He is like a loving Father holding us by our hands.
[They show her a scripture]
Zhanybek: Endurance helped us to receive all the blessings we are experiencing now.
[Friends walk toward the Kingdom Hall]
Dariika: I am very grateful to Jehovah God for all these blessings.
[Greeting one another, they embrace and smile]
I realize more fully that for his name, Jehovah becomes anything he wants.
[A sky view of the Kingdom Hall zooms out and displays the town in front of Hazy Gray Mountains]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2018 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]

What about the examples in this video strengthens you?

Read Acts 5:27 through 29 and Hebrews 10:24 and 25. After reading each scripture, discuss this question:

Why is it so important to continue worshipping Jehovah even if our preaching work or meetings are restricted?

[Read scripture] Acts 5:27 through 29: So they brought them and stood them before the Sanhedrin. Then the high priest questioned them and said: “We strictly ordered you not to keep teaching on the basis of this name, and yet look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.” In answer Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men. [End of Read scripture]

[Read scripture] Hebrews 10:24 and 25: And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near. [End of Read scripture]

6. Jehovah will help you endure

Jehovah’s Witnesses of varying ages and backgrounds have loyally continued to serve Jehovah even when they were persecuted. To see what helped them, play the video Jehovah God Will Strengthen Me (3:40). Then discuss the question that follows.

[Click for Transcript]|[Jehovah God Will Strengthen Me]
[In a navy blazer, a man walks on a road by a wooded area, brimming with bright red, orange and yellow autumn foliage]
[Jun-Seok An. South Korea]
Jun-Seok An: I was imprisoned for a year and three months for upholding Christian neutrality.
[Gevorg Arakelyan. Armenia]
Gevorg: I was in a cell with all types of hardened criminals.
[Arlindo Matimbe. Mozambique]
Arlindo: I was sitting at home. My whole family had been arrested.
[Irene Matimbe. Mozambique]
Irene: They burned down the villages. We had to go live in the bush. That was difficult because we had a baby.
[Stanley Jones. Former Missionary in China]
Stanley: The police came in with guns, pointed them at us and handcuffed us, searched all our house, took everything away, and took us to the detention center. And that was the beginning of our imprisonment.
[Paulina Zunguza. Mozambique]
Paulina: I was taken to prison all alone and scared, but I trusted in Jehovah —that only he could protect me.
Gevorg: During that entire time, what helped me was the thought that Jehovah God would strengthen me and that he was by my side.
Stanley: Every day, I would review all those scriptures in my mind and go over them; that was the first thing I did in the day. So never at any time, although I didn’t have a Bible, did I feel any spiritual loss or weakness.
Irene: During the difficult moments with the baby, we always prayed to Jehovah. I saw Jehovah as my Father, as a real Person.
[Brother and sister Matimbe walked through a lush garden]
Paulina: It was like I was hearing Jehovah’s voice saying to me: My daughter, don’t worry. I am with you! So, I never shrunk back. I remained firm!
Jun-Seok An: If I had valued myself, my freedom, my health, or material gain more than my relationship with Jehovah, I might not have chosen to serve him.
[He walks down a shaded path]
But because I loved Jehovah more than all these things, I was able to choose Jehovah even if that meant that I had to serve time in prison.
[Looking in a mirror, Gevorg adjusts his tie]
Gevorg: Now I can freely serve God, attend religious meetings, and go in the ministry with my family.
[With his wife, he sings at the Kingdom Hall]
Paulina: I felt that Jehovah’s hand was with me, and that fear disappeared.
[Squinting, she grins]
Arlindo: The one who gave me so much strength was Jehovah.
[He holds his wife's hand]
Irene: If you love Jehovah, love has no fear; love banishes fear.
Stanley: And I can only say that my life, despite everything, has been pleasant, and I’ve been so happy. In fact, there have been so many occasions when it’s been positive joy. So, I feel that that is because I’ve always kept Jehovah right in front of my mind, and I’m confident that brothers and sisters who do the same will find Jehovah will bless them as he’s blessed me.
Jun-Seok An: The fact that Jehovah will never forget the loyalty that we show him and the hope of Paradise that he has given us help me to feel his love, overcome my fear, and become determined to serve him loyally forever.
[Each are shown one at a time with a broad smile. Brother Gevorg is shown last. In slow motion, he is laughing and turns his head to the side]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2018 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]

In the video, what helped these Witnesses to endure?

Read Romans 8:35 and 37 through 39 and Philippians 4:13. After reading each scripture, discuss this question:

How does this scripture assure you that you can endure any trial?

[Read scripture] Romans 8:35: Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? [End of Read scripture]

[Read scripture] Romans 8:37 through 39: On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [End of Read scripture]

[Read scripture] Philippians 4:13: For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power. [End of Read scripture]

Read Matthew 5:10 through 12, and then discuss this question:

Why can you be happy in spite of persecution?

[Read scripture] Matthew 5:10 through 12: “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you. [End of Read scripture]

[Image:] Modern-day Jehovah’s Witnesses who endured persecution and imprisonment because of their faith. Caption: Millions of Jehovah’s worshippers have successfully endured opposition. You can too!

[Box]

Some People Say: “I couldn’t endure persecution.” What scriptures might give them the confidence they need? [End of box]

Summary

Jehovah treasures our efforts to serve him despite persecution. With his help, we can successfully endure!

Review

Why should Christians expect persecution?

What can you do now to be ready when persecution comes?

What can help you to feel confident that you can serve Jehovah despite any trial?

Goal

Ask a fellow Christian: “Has anyone ever tried to stop you from serving Jehovah? How did you handle it?” Set Other Goals

Explore

Watch a young brother explain how Jehovah helped him endure when he was imprisoned because of his neutrality. Enduring Despite Persecution (2:34)

[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]

Consider what helped one couple to serve Jehovah faithfully for many years despite opposition. Serving Jehovah During Times of Change (7:11)