During World War II those who had the hope of survival into Jehovah’s promised system of things had to put up a vigorous struggle. The Japanese rulers did everything they could to make these humble persons worship at Shinto shrines or compromise in some other way. Two of the special pioneers who had spearheaded the work here were imprisoned for many years. One died in prison and the other mysteriously disappeared after his release at the end of the war. Local Witnesses believe that he was quietly exterminated. A number of other Christians showed that their faith was of the fire-resistant quality that would enable them to survive.​—1 Cor. 3:10-15.

However, because of the aforementioned action by Christendom’s clergy restrictions were placed on the work and the missionaries were forced to leave Taiwan. The local Witnesses were harassed and some were imprisoned. Eventually though, the authorities came to understand that they had nothing to fear from Jehovah’s Witnesses.