1Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not consider the burning among you as strange, which is happening to you for a testing, as though something strange is happening to you,
13 but even as you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, in order that in the revelation of his glory also you will rejoice, being overjoyed.
For the last two thousand years the Body of Christ has suffered persecution. For the first generation of believers, suffering came as something of a shock.
1Thess. 3:3 so that no one should be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this,
4 for also, when we were with you, we told you beforehand we are about to suffer affliction, and as you know, that is what happened
Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also boast in afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance
The modern "church" acts as though nothing bad could ever happen to it. I heard the story of the saints in China who suffered when the Japanese came in. They suffered again when the Chinese "civil war" took place at the conclusion of WWII.
Of course, suffering was inflicted on everyone. But there were those who suffered for their faith. It can happen anywhere, in any generation, just as it has for the last two thousand years. We should be better prepared. We have the examples of those who have suffered before us.
1Pet 4:15 Let none of you suffer indeed as murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a disturber of the peace (a general all around lawbreaker
16 but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but glorify God in this name.
Some, in modern churches, keep trying to turn Christianity into “a prosperity gospel” or a “wonderful life gospel” or a “best life now gospel”. All are false gospels. Suffering for the name of Jesus is politely avoided.
