Topical Bible: Water of Persecutions

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The concept of "Water of Persecutions" is not a direct biblical phrase but rather a metaphorical expression that can be derived from various scriptural passages where water symbolizes trials, tribulations, and the adversities faced by believers. In the Bible, water often represents chaos, danger, and the overwhelming nature of life's challenges, including persecution for one's faith.

Biblical Symbolism of Water

Water in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol. It can represent life and cleansing, as seen in the waters of baptism (Matthew 3:16) and the living water offered by Jesus (John 4:10). However, it also symbolizes judgment and destruction, as in the Great Flood (Genesis 7:17-24) and the Red Sea's engulfing of the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:26-28).

Persecution in the Early Church

The early Christians faced significant persecution, often described metaphorically as being overwhelmed by waters. Jesus warned His disciples of impending persecution, saying, "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first" (John 15:18). The Apostle Paul also experienced and wrote about the trials he faced, likening them to being "hard pressed on all sides" (2 Corinthians 4:8).

Psalmic Imagery

The Psalms frequently use water imagery to describe distress and persecution. Psalm 69:1-2 states, "Save me, O God, for the waters have risen to my neck. I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me." This vivid imagery captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by adversities, including persecution.

Isaiah's Assurance

In Isaiah 43:2 , God provides assurance to His people amidst trials: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you." This promise highlights God's presence and protection during times of persecution, symbolized by the threatening waters.

New Testament Encouragement

The New Testament continues this theme, offering encouragement to those facing persecution. In Romans 8:35 , Paul asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" Here, persecution is one of the many trials likened to overwhelming forces, yet believers are assured of Christ's unbreakable love.

Revelation's Vision

The Book of Revelation uses water imagery to depict the trials of the faithful. Revelation 12:15-16 describes the dragon spewing water like a river to overtake the woman, symbolizing the church, but the earth helps her by swallowing the river. This apocalyptic vision underscores the persistent threat of persecution and God's ultimate deliverance.

Conclusion

The metaphor of "Water of Persecutions" serves as a powerful reminder of the trials faced by believers throughout biblical history and into the present day. It encapsulates the overwhelming nature of persecution while simultaneously pointing to the steadfast presence and deliverance of God amidst such trials.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 88:17
They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ a Spring of Living Water, and the Light of the World. (John ...
... a well-spring, whence shall flow streams of living water." [534] And ... Again, with
reference to the continued persecutions of the Sanhedrim, Christ repeated the ...
/.../section 195 christ a spring.htm

That Injuries and Penalties of Persecutions are not to be Feared ...
... And if thou passest through the water, I am with thee, and the rivers ... that divine
help shall not be wanting to God's servants in persecutions, saying: "But ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/10 that injuries and penalties.htm

The Persecutions of the Church.
... Vienne [294:1] in France endured one of the most horrible persecutions recorded
in ... markets, in some parts of the empire, were sprinkled with the water or the ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the persecutions of.htm

The Water of Life;
... come near us, until it is washed in that water that proceeds from the throne of
grace. Hence afflictions flow from grace (Psalm 119:67), persecutions flow from ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

Of the Necessity of Baptism to Salvation.
... proof against those who, in order to destroy the sacrament of water, deprive the ...
in the world, [8666] "by the waves," that is, by persecutions and temptations ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter xii of the necessity of.htm

The Effects of this Fourth State of Prayer. Earnest Exhortations ...
... 5. If this ground be well dug by troubles, by persecutions, detractions, and
infirmities,"they ... from all self-interest, it will drink in so much water that it ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xix the effects of.htm

Epistle Lxii. C??cilius, on the Sacrament of the Cup of the Lord.
... even to be kept back from the passion of Christ in persecutions, by learning in ... flatter
himself with this notion, that although in the morning, water alone is ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxii caecilius on the.htm

Songs of Deliverance
... recollecting our peaceful privileges in being now screened from persecutions, from
ecclesiastical ... the noise of archers in the places of the drawing of water. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/songs of deliverance.htm

Psalm XCVIII.
... Let the sea be aroused, and the floods clap their hands together; persecutions arise,
and ... Those whom God hath made floods, by giving them that Water, the Holy ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcviii.htm

The Family of a Saint
... The old woman in Monnica's family had witnessed the last persecutions; she had perhaps ...
She prevented these girls from drinking even water except at meals. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the family of a.htm