On Dec. 1, 2023, a violent mob of about 200 Hindus and Muslims from a village in Bangladesh attacked members and prospective members of the United Church of God, an International Association, the publisher of Beyond Today magazine. Village leaders were angry, having just received official papers recognizing this Christian church being set up there, with a parcel of land purchased for a meeting place. The leaders incited residents to attack the Christians to pressure them out of attending church events.

This attack was not an isolated incident in Bangladesh, where Sunni Muslims constitute 91 percent of the population and Hindus 8 percent. Christianity and other minority religions, which account for the remaining 1 percent, are subjects of persecution even though the nation’s constitution is supposed to protect those of all faiths. Plus, its penal code states that a “deliberate and malicious” intent to insult religious sentiments will be subject to fines or up to two years in prison.

During the violent incident, a prospective member of the church was beaten with fists and sticks. His wife was hit and pushed to the ground while trying to defend her husband, and the couple’s 20-year-old son was attacked. In addition, an older man, a father of church members, was punched and hit on his back with a stick, leaving him with painful wounds and difficulty walking. A local grocery store owner, he was unable to open his business due to his injuries. Another prospective member who also owned a grocery shop opened his store, but villagers initiated a boycott against him.

Local police recommended the church file a lawsuit against the attackers, but members responded they had already forgiven them (see Matthew 5:44). They decided to forego court action in trying to be peacemakers. And to further encourage peaceful relations with village residents, church members built a well on church property to share with the community. Relations were improving, but village leaders resorted to leveling accusations followed by other threats against church members and deals with officials to close the road to the church property and its well. The closure was prevented, but one church family has been pressured to move to another town. Tensions are ongoing.

Persecuting Christians in past ages

The attack that occurred in that small village was but one example of the religious persecution perpetrated against the Church since its beginning in the first century A.D. It commenced when Jewish religious leaders rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Later, officials of the Roman Empire viewed Christianity as a destabilizing religious cult since its adherents refused to venerate the emperor and worship the empire’s pantheon of gods and goddesses.

In the second century, the Church was persecuted by an increasingly powerful false Christianity that accused genuine Christians of supposed errant teachings and practices, such as observing the “Jewish” Sabbath and Passover. This mistreatment continued over the centuries. Then in the 1500s to 1600s the Church of England, which broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, oppressed various Christian-professing groups such as the Puritans for not complying with its ecclesiastical rules and doctrines. To escape this persecution, various small Sunday-observant and Sabbatarian (Saturday-Sabbath) groups fled to the American colonies in the early 1600s as a haven for freedom of worship. Following the establishment of the United States under its federal constitution in the late 1700s, the right of religious liberty was soon signed into law as part of its First Amendment.

Since that time many other nations established laws or constitutional provisions protecting freedom of religion, speech and expression. Also, the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights received formal recognition by the General Assembly in 1948. Article 18 of its charter states that all people have “the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” Yet might commitments to such be withdrawn or ignored amid deteriorating world conditions?

What if you had to face such abusive opposition?

Most church members in this present age have not had to face persecution like what occurred in Bangladesh. But what if the day comes when you encounter similar or even worse persecutions, perhaps from government authorities or other sources, for holding steadfastly to biblical beliefs? Would you have the same zeal to love and obey God and serve your neighbors?

Bible prophecy reveals that worsening world conditions will eventually lead to a rise in persecution. Imagine, for example, one or more of these catastrophes suddenly afflicting your nation: economic collapse and resultant depression leading to widespread unemployment along with food and fuel scarcities; a massive surprise terrorist attack; an overwhelming enemy military strike; a large-scale biological weapons attack; a devastating cyberattack; or an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) severely damaging the electrical infrastructure. Normal life would come to an abrupt halt, with mounting casualties.

Amid great fear, pandemonium and accusations of failed policies and inadequate response, might national government try to deflect outrage by pointing to threats posed by societal disrupters—people they want the public to perceive as fanatical, militant and antiestablishment groups, painting them as hostile religious extremists?

The Roman emperor Nero, seeking a scapegoat for the massive and devastating fire in Rome in A.D. 64, blamed the city’s small community of Christians, bringing an onslaught of unjustified yet vicious persecution.

Bible prophecy reveals that intense animosity and oppression will be inflicted on the true Church of God by Satan the devil shortly before Jesus Christ’s second coming (Matthew 10:23; Revelation 12:12-13). Bearing malevolent sway over humanity (1 John 5:19), Satan will direct his wrath toward God’s people, influencing other people to oppose and attack them. He will especially direct the prophesied “Beast”—a revived Roman Empire and its tyrannical leader—toward this aim (Revelation 13:7; Daniel 7:25).

The Church made to appear dangerous?

But even before the Beast’s rise to power in Europe, might not world events like the catastrophes noted above turn many against Christ’s true followers? Even as the Church faithfully teaches biblical truth, could it be made to look unhinged, pernicious and dangerous to society—particularly with its resolute stance on moral issues?

For example, the Church teaches, based on Scripture, positions that are increasingly painted as extremist or subversive: that sex before marriage and cohabitation are sin; that marriage can only be between one man and one woman; that homosexuality and transgenderism are immoral and destructive to the family structure; that abortion, infanticide and assisted suicide are murder; that its members should not voluntarily participate in the nation’s military and, if forced to by state authority, should refuse to bear arms to kill on military orders.

Moreover, some of the Church’s practices, such as observing the seventhday Sabbath, Passover and other biblical Holy Days, are often viewed as “Jewish.” Consider the rising tide of antisemitism in America, Europe and the Muslim world. Might that impact Christians following such practices?

What if the time came when these various biblically derived teachings are rebuked as being contrary to societal order and the Church is accused of being a destabilizing group? What could result from such potent denunciations? Could Sabbath services and other meetings be banned by the government? Could leaders and pastors in the Church be arrested and jailed without recourse? Could members be forced from their jobs and have their property and possessions seized? Could they be made into pariahs by a hostile media? While these exact scenarios may not materialize, how should God’s faithful people prepare spiritually, mentally and emotionally for events like these or other persecutions?

The starting point is to recognize that what Jesus Christ said about oppression applies to each of us. He declared, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Also, we ought to personally take to heart the words of the apostle Paul in stating, “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12, emphasis added throughout). By embracing these declarations, we will not be shocked or spiritually fail under pressure when persecution comes our way, but rather will be ready with God’s powerful help to respond with faith, courage and resolve.

Reacting to persecution

What can we learn from Paul regarding his own response to persecution? The record of his oppressions and sufferings was extensive (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Despite what Paul encountered, he refused to protest or complain. Rather he said, “I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church” (Colossians 1:24, New Living Translation).

Other forerunners in the faith likewise endured terrible persecution. These included members of the Smyrna congregation described in the book of Revelation. Although the apostles taught respect and obedience to human government when its rulings did not conflict with God’s laws, the church members at Smyrna were accused of disloyalty to the emperor by simply upholding their Christian beliefs (see Revelation 2:8-10; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). While God gave them divine strength to endure, their personal resolve to remain faithful to Him was critical.

It is vital we exhibit that same spiritual determination when we experience persecution. To accomplish this, we must, as Paul explained, “put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (Ephesians 6:13, NLT). Paul also stated that “God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out” (1 Corinthians 10:13, Good News Translation).

Though persecution is certainly unpleasant, standing firm under its pressure with God’s help can strengthen and solidify our faith. The apostle Peter wrote: “Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns” (1 Peter 1:7, Contemporary English Version).

Other sources of hostility

Besides government authorities, there are other sources from which harassment and oppression could arise. Persecution can spring from our own family members and relatives who do not share our spiritual values. Christ addressed this circumstance by saying, “A man’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). However, if our physical families do not share our beliefs and convictions, we can take comfort in knowing that our spiritual brothers and sisters in God’s Church will offer support and encouragement.

Persecution can also originate from religious organizations that claim to profess Christianity yet are described in Scripture as fraudulent (2 Corinthians 11:13; 2 Peter 2:1). These groups are at serious odds with the biblical teachings of God’s Church. They claim as heretical what’s actually true: the fact that Saturday is the Sabbath day; that the doctrine of the immortal soul is unscriptural; that the Bible disapproves of observances like Christmas and Easter; that God’s seven annual festivals, including the Passover, are to be kept; that the biblical health laws are to be followed, including not eating pork or shellfish; and that the doctrine of the trinity is false (search at ucg.org for any of these topics).

Furthermore, while the Bible symbolically depicts the true Church of God as holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:27; 2 Corinthians 11:2), it also presents a counterfeit universal church ascending to great prominence and authority shortly before Jesus Christ’s return. This false church will be supported and fortified by civil authorities, and together they will severely “persecute the saints of the Most High” and even cause some to be killed (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 6:9-11; Luke 21:12; John 16:2).

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness

Again, what if you have to personally undergo persecution—perhaps similar to what the believers in Bangladesh endured or as other faithful Christians confronted in past ages? Would you have the same zeal to continue to love and obey God and serve others as they did? Would you—will you—remain true and faithful to God and His Word? The fact is, persecution for living faithfully by the Word of God is something we should prepare for since it is part of our calling to be faithful “to the end” (Matthew 24:13). As Jesus said in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” And He will help us through it.

Finally, the legacy of God’s people who’ve gone through persecution is one of deep faith and spiritual endurance. They’ve demonstrated that contending with persecution in a righteous manner builds great faith and divine strength of character (read Hebrews 11). Those believers are vital examples for us to emulate when the time comes to withstand persecution. Let us remember and live by the words of our Savior Jesus Christ who said in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”