Consolation Under Affliction: To the Persecuted
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In the Christian faith, persecution is an experience that many believers have faced throughout history. The Bible provides numerous passages offering consolation and encouragement to those enduring such trials. These scriptures affirm God's presence, promise His ultimate justice, and encourage steadfastness in faith.

Divine Presence and Comfort

The assurance of God's presence is a central theme in providing consolation to the persecuted. In Isaiah 41:10, the Lord declares, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness." This promise of divine companionship and support is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus assures His followers in Matthew 28:20, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Blessedness of Persecution

The Beatitudes, as recorded in Matthew 5:10-12, offer a profound perspective on persecution: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you." This passage not only acknowledges the reality of persecution but also elevates it as a cause for spiritual joy and future reward.

Strength in Weakness

The Apostle Paul, who experienced significant persecution, provides insight into finding strength amidst weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, he writes, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." This paradoxical strength through weakness is a source of encouragement for those enduring trials for their faith.

Promise of Justice

The Bible assures believers that God will ultimately bring justice to those who suffer for His name. In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7, Paul writes, "After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels." This promise of divine retribution and relief provides hope and assurance that God sees and will act on behalf of His people.

Encouragement to Persevere

Perseverance is a recurring exhortation to those facing persecution. Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages believers to "run with endurance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." The passage reminds the faithful of Jesus' own endurance of the cross, serving as the ultimate example and source of strength.

Joy in Suffering

The early church exemplified joy amidst persecution, as seen in Acts 5:41, where the apostles, after being flogged, "left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." This joy is rooted in the understanding that suffering for Christ is a participation in His sufferings and a testament to one's faithfulness.

Conclusion

The Bible offers a rich tapestry of consolation for those persecuted for their faith. Through the assurance of God's presence, the promise of future reward, the strength found in weakness, the certainty of divine justice, and the encouragement to persevere, believers are equipped to endure persecution with hope and joy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before you; and shall say, Destroy them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
... enable us to bear up under a weight of affliction. ... only become worse and more obstinate
under the lash ... 7. There is singular consolation, moreover, when we are ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of bearing the.htm

2 Cor. xii. 1
... is, there is also consolation; where consolation, there is ... and a whole people, as
well under affliction as at ... when they were vexed and persecuted, groaned and ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 2 cor xii.htm

Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings
... person to be honored""So our consolation aboundeth by ... of affliction, much being broken
under the wheels ... We must bear suffering and affliction; therefore, let ...
/.../consolation proportionate to spiritual sufferings.htm

Twenty Sixth Sunday after Trinity God's Judgment when Christ ...
... Patiently it stood firm, and even increased, under crosses of affliction. ... 2. This
consolation Paul draws from their sufferings and God's righteous ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty sixth sunday after trinity.htm

A Bottle in the Smoke
... the smoke: because you are sensitive under affliction, for so ... with David, let me
give a word of consolation. ... If under your trials and troubles you remain just ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/a bottle in the smoke.htm

The North African Church under the Vandals.
... through pathless tracts to a city under the Roman ... I still find one abundant spring
of consolation and joy ... had been steadfast in his faith in affliction, in this ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/the north african church under.htm

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience ...
... of glory" we must first bear the "light affliction, which is ... Here is the second point
of consolation. ... eternal life, all created things must be under the power ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourth sunday after trinity consolation.htm

Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
... enable us to bear up under a weight of affliction. ... only become worse and more obstinate
under the lash ... 7. There is singular consolation, moreover, when we are ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter iii of bearing the.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Affliction, the gain of, [30]274; brings men near to Christ, [31]ib.; works salvation,
[32]277; in what sense light ... Children, consolation under loss of, [244]276 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Ephesians iv. 1, 2
... Let us learn not to sink under affliction, nor to repine ... my peace, when men in bonds,
and under the scourge ... for Christ's sake is the sweetest of all consolation. ...
/.../homily viii ephesians iv 1.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about affliction? | GotQuestions.org

What should we learn from Psalm 119? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.org

Affliction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Affliction

Consolation Under Affliction by Ministers of the Gospel

Consolation Under Affliction in Prospect of Death

Consolation Under Affliction is a Cause of Praise

Consolation Under Affliction is Abundant

Consolation Under Affliction is Everlasting

Consolation Under Affliction is Sought in Vain from the World

Consolation Under Affliction is Strong

Consolation Under Affliction: Christ is the Author and Giver of

Consolation Under Affliction: God is the Author and Giver of

Consolation Under Affliction: Pray For

Consolation Under Affliction: Promised

Consolation Under Affliction: Saints should Administer to Each Other

Consolation Under Affliction: The Holy Spirit is the Author and Giver of

Consolation Under Affliction: Through the Holy Scriptures

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Persecuted

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Poor

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Sick

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Tempted

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Troubled in Mind

Consolation Under Affliction: To Those Deserted by Friends

Consolation Under Affliction: To Those Who Mourn for Sin

Consolation Under Affliction: Under the Infirmities of Age

Prayer Under Affliction for Deliverance

Prayer Under Affliction for Divine Comfort

Prayer Under Affliction for Divine Teaching and Direction

Prayer Under Affliction for Increase of Faith

Prayer Under Affliction for Mercy

Prayer Under Affliction for Mitigation of Troubles

Prayer Under Affliction for Pardon and Deliverance from Sin

Prayer Under Affliction for Protection and Preservation from Enemies

Prayer Under Affliction for Restoration to Joy

Prayer Under Affliction for the Presence and Support of God

Prayer Under Affliction: Exhortation To

Prayer Under Affliction: That God Would Consider Our Trouble

Prayer Under Affliction: That the Holy Spirit May not be Withdrawn

Prayer Under Affliction: That we May be Quickened

Prayer Under Affliction: That we May be Taught the Uncertainty of Life

Prayer Under Affliction: That we May be Turned to God

Prayer Under Affliction: That we May Know the Causes of Our Trouble

Related Terms

Exhortation (16 Occurrences)

Comfort (130 Occurrences)

Barnabas (33 Occurrences)

Nahum (3 Occurrences)

Receiving (72 Occurrences)

Effectual (8 Occurrences)

Bowels (40 Occurrences)

Consists (7 Occurrences)

Effect (173 Occurrences)

Simeon (48 Occurrences)

Whether (239 Occurrences)

Towards (416 Occurrences)

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)

Unrelenting (2 Occurrences)

Unsparing (1 Occurrence)

Upbuilding (3 Occurrences)

Likeminded (4 Occurrences)

God-fearing (24 Occurrences)

Wait (223 Occurrences)

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)

Woe (102 Occurrences)

Wo (92 Occurrences)

Waiting (274 Occurrences)

Incentive (1 Occurrence)

Fearing (107 Occurrences)

Fervent (10 Occurrences)

Tanhumeth (2 Occurrences)

Rich (140 Occurrences)

Relieve (14 Occurrences)

Encouragement (25 Occurrences)

Edification (10 Occurrences)

Exult (50 Occurrences)

Devout (13 Occurrences)

During (182 Occurrences)

Maaziah (2 Occurrences)

Minister (150 Occurrences)

Mercies (62 Occurrences)

Paradise (6 Occurrences)

Pious (18 Occurrences)

Participation (9 Occurrences)

Prophesies (17 Occurrences)

Bright (85 Occurrences)

Cyprian (2 Occurrences)

Comforter (14 Occurrences)

Chastisement (24 Occurrences)

Chastening (11 Occurrences)

Comfortable (2 Occurrences)

Consolations (6 Occurrences)

Compassions (17 Occurrences)

Adoption (5 Occurrences)

Apocyphra

Awaiting (13 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Alas (62 Occurrences)

Anyone's (12 Occurrences)

Aboundeth (5 Occurrences)

Symeon (5 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Sympathy (15 Occurrences)

Spareth (9 Occurrences)

Upright (392 Occurrences)

Decease (2 Occurrences)

Earnest (33 Occurrences)

Already (171 Occurrences)

Righteous (407 Occurrences)

Denied (34 Occurrences)

Speaks (109 Occurrences)

Cup (86 Occurrences)

Tender (66 Occurrences)

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)

Agony (20 Occurrences)

Ghost (123 Occurrences)

Affection (30 Occurrences)

Taste (46 Occurrences)

Received (312 Occurrences)

Resurrection (42 Occurrences)

Compassion (145 Occurrences)

Covenant (309 Occurrences)

Brethren (528 Occurrences)

Consolation Under Affliction: Through the Holy Scriptures
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