Persecution by Permission of Jehovah​—Why?

“Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off.”​—2 Pet. 2:9.

1, 2. What might persecutors of true Christians falsely conclude, and why does Jehovah not intervene?

FROM the day that Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, was killed by his jealous brother, Cain, Jehovah’s faithful witnesses have been hated and bitterly persecuted. An inspired writer of the first century C.E., in his letter to the Hebrews, described the treatment they received, and Jesus of Nazareth, who was himself killed by misguided opponents, forewarned his true followers that they too would receive similar persecution. (Heb. 11:4, 36-38; John 15:18-20) All such ill-treatment is unwarranted and the Lord God Jehovah could have prevented it. Why did he not do so?​—See Habakkuk 1:13.

² Those dealing treacherously might begin to develop a false sense of security. The Bible psalmist wrote: “Why is it that the wicked one has disrespected God? He has said in his heart: ‘You will not require an accounting.’” (Ps. 10:13; 76:7) But God’s delay in exacting an accounting is not due to weakness or lack of concern for the oppressed. Peter, an apostle of Jesus, assured us: “Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off.” (2 Pet. 2:9) Persecution of the righteous by the wicked then serves a purpose of God; sometimes, it is true, it is allowed by him as a chastisement when his people have displeased him (Isa. 12:1), but, for the most part, persecution has served to identify God’s enemies (Deut. 25:17-19) as well as those favorably disposed toward him. (Matt. 25:34-36) It has served as a test of integrity on his own people and, through their deliverance, as a vindication of Jehovah’s name.​—1 Pet. 4:1, 2; Prov. 27:11.

A TEST OF LOYALTY

7. What happened in 1918, and what did Jehovah’s purpose for the “time of the end” require as regards the “slave” class?

⁷ In 1918, Jesus the Messianic Messenger accompanied Jehovah to the spiritual temple, suddenly and unexpectedly, to begin judgment on God’s people. (1 Pet. 4:17; Mal. 3:1) Jesus the Messiah foreknew that some of those seeking him would not be doing so with a pure motive. One purpose in judgment was to expose this heart attitude of those who seek God’s Messianic kingdom and to deal accordingly with those displaying it. (Matt. 24:48-51) As it is with a master of slaves, the Messiah was within his prerogative in acting according to his own will and that of his God Jehovah, in dealing with those who are Scripturally spoken of as a “slave” class. Jehovah’s purpose for this “time of the end” had been determined long in advance. (Isa. 46:8-11) That the full details of this purpose were not known to the “slave” class on earth at that time was not the important thing. Their dedication vow to Jehovah made them responsible to do whatever it was that Jehovah and his Messianic King asked them to do according to his Word, the Holy Scriptures. Now, with Jehovah’s enemies disposed of in heaven, the time had come for the Messianic King and Judge to begin the fulfillment of Jehovah’s purpose as regards the earth. He knew what was ahead for this class of servants on earth and he knew that only complete unity within their ranks and a single-mindedness as to the carrying out of God’s purpose would enable them to fulfill the Scriptural responsibility that was to be theirs. For this reason it would seem that he imposed upon his anointed footstep followers on earth a very severe test so as to eliminate those who would not respond to his direction.​—Mal. 3:2, 3; 1 Pet. 2:4-8; Isa. 8:13-15.

8. How were those claiming to be of the “bride” class tested? With what results?

⁸ Certain conditions were allowed to develop within the religious organization that searched out to the full depths the heart devotion of every individual who claimed to be espoused to the Messianic King, Jesus, as a member of the “bride” class. (Ps. 45:10-14; John 3:29) In three ways particularly their submissiveness was tested: first, as to their reliance on the doctrine of God’s Word as revealed through his channel of communication; secondly, as regards their willingness to share in the preaching of this good news of the Messianic kingdom, which must be done before Jehovah’s purpose in this “time of the end” would be concluded; and, thirdly, as regards their complete loyalty to his earthly organization, which was yet to be built up in full theocratic structure, something that must be accomplished during this “time of the end.” This was essential, not only to enable his people to stand and to face severe persecution that Jesus knew they must yet receive, but also in order that his people would be ready to take over the responsible work that would be theirs after the present system of things was destroyed in the approaching world trouble. During World War I in 1914 to 1918 none of God’s people realized the full extent of this religious responsibility that was ahead. Yet, those who loved God sincerely accepted the trials that came upon them from within the disturbed organization and the fiery test that was being put upon them in order to purge them and cleanse them as foretold by the prophet Malachi. There were some, however, who failed and who rebelled and therefore, like Vashti, these were not submissive when the call came forth for them to show their godly beauty and their submissiveness to the Messianic King.a​—Luke 14:17-21.