People Shun Believers
... And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. (Acts, 5:12-13)
Unbelievers Torture and Imprison Believers for No Just Reason
[The Prophet Jesus (pbuh):] "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged... On account of me [because you obey me to gain God's good pleasure] you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them…Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of God." (Mark, 13:9-12)
"All men will hate you because of me [because you obey me to gain God’s good pleasure]. But he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Mark, 13:13)
[The Prophet Jesus (pbuh):] "... But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to... prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name... You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me [because you obey me to gain God’s good pleasure]. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life." (Luke, 21:5-19)
“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ [because you obey me for the approval of God], you are blessed... However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed.” (1 Peter 4:14,16)
Unbelievers Seek to Kill or Exile Believers
[The Prophet Jesus (pbuh):] "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me [because you obey me for the approval of God]." (Matthew, 24:9-10)
The False Accusations and Oppression Directed against Believers
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me…, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life ... will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy, 3:10-13)
Believers are Tested on God's Path
Consider it pure joy,my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know thatthe testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James, 1:2-4)
Believers Struggle with Their Lives and Chattels on God’s Path
[The Prophet Jesus (pbuh):] "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for me [for God's good pleasure] will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." (Matthew, 19:29-30)
