I hear you, M_Oliver.
Can you see the difference in faith between the many and the few, it's like night and day. And when they hear of our faith, persecution will swiftly come. You can take that to the bank! The strange thing is, the persecution does not come from non-belivers so much, but from the ones professing to believe. Seems, it has always been that way, from the OT to the NT, through church history and today.
Here are some words from Jesus that gives me great comfort in times of persection:
(Luk 6:22 LITV) Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they cut you off, and will reproach you, and will cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man;
(Luk 6:23 LITV) rejoice in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is much in Heaven! For their fathers did according to these things to the prophets.
(Luk 6:24 LITV) But woe to you, rich ones, for you have your comfort!
(Luk 6:25 LITV) Woe to you, those having been filled, for you will hunger! Woe to you, those laughing now, for you will mourn and lament!
(Luk 6:26 LITV) Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers did according to these things to the false prophets.
(Luk 6:27 LITV) But I say to you, Those hearing: Love the ones hostile to you, do good to those hating you,
(Luk 6:28 LITV) bless those cursing you and pray for those insulting you.
(Luk 6:29 LITV) To those striking you on the cheek, turn the other also. And from those taking your garment, do not keep back the tunic also.
(Luk 6:30 LITV) And to everyone asking you, give. And do not ask back from those taking your things.
(Luk 6:31 LITV) And according as you desire that men should do to you, you also do the same to them.
(Luk 6:32 LITV) And if you love those who love you, what thanks is there to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
(Luk 6:33 LITV) And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks is there to you? For even the sinners do the same.
(Luk 6:34 LITV) And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks is there to you? For the sinners lend to sinners so that they may receive the equal things.
(Luk 6:35 LITV) But love the ones hostile to you, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be much; and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the unthankful and evil ones.
(Luk 6:36 LITV) Therefore, be merciful, even as your Father also is merciful.
(Luk 6:37 LITV) Judge not, and in no way be judged. Do not condemn, and in no way you will be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
(Luk 6:38 LITV) Give, and good measure will be given to you, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, they will give into your bosom. For the same measure which you measure, it will be measured back to you.
God bless,
Gary