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(Persecution) - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Less than a decade after Paul wrote to them, they came under severe persecution, and some were tortured to death by order of Emperor Nero. Their faith that God would give them the promised crown of life undoubtedly sustained them in their suffering.
    - - Are you facing a severe test of faith at the present time? Then by all means look ahead. Do not lose sight of the way your endurance will bring praise to Jehovah’s name. Keep the precious Kingdom hope in clear focus. Picture yourself in God’s coming new world, and imagine yourself experiencing the blessings of the Paradise. Anticipating the fulfillment of the wonderful things Jehovah has promised—including the vindication of his sovereignty, the removal of wickedness from the earth, and the elimination of sickness and death—will fill your heart with joy, and that joy can help you to endure no matter what trials may befall you. When compared with the realization of the Kingdom hope, any suffering in this system of things is indeed “momentary and light.”—2 Corinthians 4:17.
      - True Joy—A Quality of the Heart
        
        3 “To rejoice” means to feel and to express joy; it does not mean to be in a constant state of euphoria, or exuberance. The verbs corresponding to the Hebrew and Greek words used in the Bible for “joy,” “exultation,” and “rejoicing” express both the inner feeling and the outward manifestation of joy. Christians are encouraged to “continue to rejoice,” “always be rejoicing.”—2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
        
        4 But how can one always be rejoicing? This is possible because true joy is a quality of the heart, a deep inner quality, a spiritual one. (Deuteronomy 28:47; Proverbs 15:13; 17:22) It is a fruit of God’s spirit, listed by Paul just after love. (Galatians 5:22) As an inward quality, it is not dependent on external things, not even on our brothers. But it does depend on God’s holy spirit. And it comes from that deep inner satisfaction of knowing that you have the truth, the Kingdom hope, and that you are doing what pleases Jehovah. Hence, joy is not a mere personality trait that we are born with; it is part of “the new personality,” the assemblage of qualities that distinguished Jesus Christ.—Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10.
      - Accordingly, we do well to ask ourselves, ‘Do I “rejoice in the hope”? How often do I take the time to meditate on it? Is the coming Paradise real to me? Do I see myself there? Am I as eager for the end of the present system of things to come as I was when I first learned the truth?’ This last question deserves serious thought. Why? Because if we are in good health, earn a comfortable living, and live in a part of the earth that is more or less unaffected by war, food shortage, or natural disasters, we could—at least for the moment—lose sight of the pressing need for God’s new world to come.
      - Our God-given hope is infinitely superior to anything that the world can offer. Says Psalm 37:34: “Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, and he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it.” Yes, we have every reason to “rejoice in the hope.” (Romans 12:12) In order to do so, however, we must keep our hope fresh in mind. Do you regularly reflect on your God-given hope? Can you see yourself in Paradise, glowing with good health, free from anxieties, surrounded by people you love, and sharing in truly fulfilling work? Do you meditate on the Paradise scenes depicted in our publications? Such regular reflection might be likened to cleaning a window that affords a magnificent view. If we neglect to clean the glass, soon dirt and grime will rob us of the scene’s clarity and appeal. Other things may then capture our attention. May we never allow that to happen!
      - keep our minds fixed on the future that Jehovah holds in store for us and to “rejoice in the hope” of everlasting life, be it in heaven or on earth
    - - Paul was no stranger to tribulation.
        
        No. After they had been beaten and thrown into prison, “about the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God with song.” (Acts 16:25, 26) Of course, the pain from the beating gave Paul and Silas no joy, but that is not what the two missionaries focused on. Their thoughts were centered on Jehovah and the ways in which he was blessing them. By joyfully ‘enduring under tribulation,’ Paul and Silas served as fine examples for their brothers in Philippi and elsewhere.
    - - This will enable us to follow his further counsel to “endure under tribulation.”
      - Do you pray when you have anxious moments? What do you pray about? Likely you mention your specific problem and ask for Jehovah’s help. But you can also include expressions of thanksgiving for the blessings you enjoy. When problems arise, reflecting on Jehovah’s goodness in his dealings with us helps us to “rejoice in the hope.” David, whose life was far from trouble free, wrote: “Many things you yourself have done, O Jehovah my God, even your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us; there is none to be compared to you. Were I inclined to tell and speak of them, they have become more numerous than I can recount.” (Psalm 40:5) If, like David, we regularly meditate on the blessings that we receive from Jehovah, we will find it impossible not to be joyful.
      - Even if opposers take away our literature, our Bibles, and our association with other Christians, they can never take away our privilege of prayer. In the strongest prison, a Christian can get in touch with God. Taking full advantage of the privilege of prayer, then, is a fine way to prepare for whatever the future may hold.