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John 16:1-4

Joh 16:1 “I have spoken these things to you to keep you from getting tripped up.

Joh 16:2 They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, an hour is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

Joh 16:3 They will do these things because they haven’t discovered the Father or me.

Joh 16:4 But I have spoken these things to you so that when their hour comes you will remember I said them to you. I didn’t say these things to you at first, because I was with you.

When their hour comes

Jesus and his disciples had enjoyed at least the toleration of the religious community in which they operated. But Jesus predicted that the hour of opposition, persecution, excommunication, and martyrdom was coming.

That hour has come for many followers of Christ today. If it is not that bad for you right now, be thankful. But also be careful, because any society that does not openly follow Christ is liable to turn against his disciples.

Lord, give us the courage to be faithful to you when the hour of persecution comes.