Christianity has been a threat to the world since Jesus Christ walked the earth (or perhaps since GOD gave Moses the Torah). After Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension back to Heaven, Christians became public enemy number one. The LORD even told the disciples (and all who have ears to hear) that the day would come that those persecuting HIS Church would actually believe they were doing GOD’s work. Most astoundingly, Jesus says HIS people will be hated “by all nations” because of our allegiance and faithfulness to HIM (Matthew 24:9Matthew 24:9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.  

WP-Bible plugin). What a word!

Yes, Jesus was speaking of the time of the end, and the world has steadily been speeding towards that end since Christ Jesus accomplished the FATHER’s purpose on the Cross. The church fathers and the early Christians experienced this hatred and many confessing Salvation in Jesus Christ and HE alone today are experiencing it.

But Jesus said “all nations” would hate Christians. Do all nations truly despise Christianity today? Not yet, but there is a time promised when Satan will be granted power by GOD over the whole world and the power to persecute Christians (Daniel 11 & Revelation 13). And why would the LORD give HIS people over to persecution? – “To refine them, purify them, and make them white… (Daniel 11:35Daniel 11:35
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. try them: or, try by them  

WP-Bible plugin)” And also for HIS own glory, as HE explains in regard to HIS future saving of Israel – “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. 11 For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another. (Isaiah 48:10-11Isaiah 48:10-11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. with...: or, for silver ¹¹ For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.  

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There are many brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus being refined and purified today. For example, in Pakistan Christians are being murdered and their homes and churches destroyed by radical Islamists (BBC). In Nigeria, Christians are being murdered by those who want to impose Islam on them. And the death toll is well in the hundreds due to deaths on every side (BP). And most recently here in the U.S., a young Muslim girl fled from her Ohio family after converting to Christianity because she’s convinced her father will kill her for her apparent apostasy (OS). Two women are among dozens of Christians recently rounded up in Iran and imprisoned (CT). Four Christians were beheaded in Somalia for refusing to convert back to Islam (CP). These, of course, are just some very recent examples of Christian persecution going on today — there are dozens of other places and thousands of other situations where Satan is working hard to stomp out the faithful.

And the Devil is slowly working his way West, looking forward to the day when he has convinced the whole world that Jesus’ followers are somehow a global enemy.

So let us remember, when we’re praying to GOD in Jesus’ name for strength and mercy for our persecuted brothers and sisters, that we’re also in a way praying for ourselves. Their present trouble is our future promise. But thank the LORD we all share one very certain hope.