Revelation 2:10 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.
This passage of scripture teaches us that some Christians will suffer more severe persecution than others, and many will be martyrs for the mere fact that they take the name of Jesus. Here in America most people call themselves Christians, but it does not really cost us anything to do so. But there are countries in the world where being a Christian can cost a person their life, and as recent history has shown, many are being slaughtered in Africa and in the middle east, on account of their faith. Our hearts go out to them for they are our fellow brethren, united by the sacred ties of blood through Jesus, and as such the counsel given in the passage above, exhorts us all to be faithful, even unto death.
Now it is true that all Christians everywhere, who dare to stand up for the right, will suffer some kind of persecution, for this is a satanic principle by which the devil endeavors to coerce the conscience into doing wrong. Right here in America, those who dare to stand up for the God-given institution of traditional marriage are maligned and heckled as being bigoted and oppressive, when in fact many of them are just following what the Bible clearly states. And because of their stance for truth, economic persecution is leveled against them by those in high and low places.
But in some war-torn countries, where the national religion is not Christianity, many of our brethren are being subjected to much more severe attacks and beheadings, because they confess The Lord Jesus. So it really matters not where Christians live, persecution of some kind will eventually come our way, as the Bible clearly states. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers".... 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
However, Jesus Christ has promised to give us special grace in the face of all kinds of persecution, and even though severe trials and tribulations may be our lot, yet we can find solace in the fact that Jesus endured much more for us on Calvary, and try as he might, the devil was unable to shake His confidence in God The Father. Thus it must be with those who are living under the threat of death because of their faith in Jesus, for God will gird up with strength, might, and power in the inner man, all those who resolutely stand for the right, amidst dire and life threatening circumstances.
We therefore end with a promise that should serve to strengthen our faith, and as we read, let's remember that if God be for us no one can be against us, for whether in life or in death, we will be more than conquerors, if we hold fast the profession of our faith. Let's read:
2nd Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed".... 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!