“We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22)  

No matter where you’re born in the world, no matter the culture of your people, the gods they worship, civilized or primitive, rich or poor, proud or humble, if you’re a saint, you’ll suffer persecution. Christ was born into a culture that was more educated in the ways of God than any culture in human history. Yet, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Christ warned, you’ll be treated the same way. "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master ... do not fear them” (Matthew 10:24-26). 

 Persecution is the predestined lot of saints who carry on the work of Christ. Just as the stars were fashioned by His hands, and their orbits fixed by Him, your persecution is sure. Anyone who exposes sin and hypocrisy should expect trouble, but remember Abraham, by his faith that worked patience, he became the "Father of the faithful." Look at the biographies of the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you’ll see all passed through the fire of affliction. It’s ordained that the cross be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as a royal mark of the King. But in all this, they have the comfort of knowing their Master walked the path before them; they have His presence and sympathy to encourage them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure with patience. 

 And when you hear, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:31), you’ll remember your suffering as, “light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).