Matthew 5:10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
We have been studying the Beatitudes and have learned that each blessing grows out of those that come before it.
Matthew 5:3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, (righteousness) for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
If you are the kind of person who believes that life should be all butterflies and rainbows and pleasant and pretty things, you might be able to somehow mentally surf through the first few Beatitudes. But Matthew 5:10-12 shows us a different side of God’s Kingdom.
Credible research has reached the shocking conclusion that every year an estimate of more than 100,000 Christians are killed because of some relation to their faith,” Vatican spokesman Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi announced in a radio address, external to the United Nations Human Rights Council in May. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24864587
This information comes from globalchristianrelief.org: The 2026 World Watch List paints a grim picture for believers worldwide. Christian persecution statistics show the crisis is growing, not shrinking, and the numbers back it up. An estimated 388 million Christians now face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith, up 8 million from the previous year. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the deadliest region, and 15 countries now register “extreme” persecution levels.
- 4,849 Christians were killed for their faith during the 2026 reporting period
- 388 million believers face high levels of persecution globally
- 224,129 Christians were internally displaced or became refugees
- 67,843 Christians were physically or mentally abused for faith-related reasons
- 15 countries now rank at “extreme” persecution levels, up from 13
One in seven Christians worldwide faces persecution for their faith. In Africa, that number jumps to one in five. These aren’t abstract figures pulled from outdated reports. They reflect the lived experience of believers right now, people who risk imprisonment, displacement, and death simply for following Jesus. And the data show things are trending in the wrong direction.
The Countries Where Persecution Hits Hardest
The 2026 World Watch List ranks 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme opposition. All 15 of the worst-ranked countries now register “extreme” levels of persecution, up from 13 the previous year. The combined persecution score across all 50 listed countries reached an all-time high of 3,810 points.
Here’s the full top 15 and their persecution scores out of 100:
- North Korea — 97 (No. 1 for the 24th consecutive year)
- Somalia — 94
- Yemen — 93
- Sudan — 92
- Eritrea — 90
- Syria — 90
- Nigeria — 89
- Pakistan — 87
- Libya — 87
- Iran — 87
- Afghanistan — No. 11
- India — No. 12
- Saudi Arabia — No. 13
- Myanmar — No. 14
- Mali — No. 15
Christian Persecution in Nigeria
Nigeria remains the deadliest country in the world for Christians and it’s not even close. Of the 4,849 believers killed for their faith globally during the reporting period, 3,490 of those deaths happened in Nigeria. That’s roughly 72% of the worldwide total.
This photo illustrates a burned-out church in Northern Nigeria where remaining church members continue to worship, despite inclement weather and the continuing threat of attacks by Islamic terrorists. By gathering in the ruins of their church, these people are risking repeat attacks; yet, they have come to worship anyway.
In some closed countries, Christians huddle together, whispering hymns because singing out loud is far too dangerous. During a training in 2011, we met South Korean Christians who were preparing to infiltrate North Korea to minister there. These men told us that one North Korean man who had shown a Gospel video in his own home was condemned to die in the town square by being run over by a bull dozer while his horrified family watched.
These people truly live out Matthew 5:10-12. But what about the prophets mentioned here? Isaiah is traditionally believed to have been sawn in half. Jeremiah was reportedly stoned to death by his own people. Zachariah was stoned to death at a king’s command.
You say, “Well, if we are going to pursue righteousness, only to be martyred, what’s the point?” The question is simple: Are we too earthly minded to be any heavenly good? No matter how much wealth we have, no matter how healthy we are, one day we will die and leave everything earthly behind. At that point, earthly things are useless. The only thing that counts is our reward in heaven.
On November 12, 1660, John Bunyan was seized and thrown into jail in Bedford, England, where he remained for twelve years. During that time, Bunyan studied the Scriptures intently and then began writing. What looked like defeat became a crucible of spiritual fruit. Through years of imprisonment, Bunyan searched the Scriptures, prayed, and strengthened fellow believers who visited or suffered alongside him. His confinement did not halt his ministry; it refined it. He learned endurance under pressure, echoing the promise: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life…” (James 1:12). In the dark place, he cultivated hope, patience, and a steady gaze on Christ.
From prison came writings that have served the church for centuries. In Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, Bunyan opened his own battles with sin and assurance, testifying that Christ saves to the uttermost. In The Pilgrim’s Progress, he turned the Christian life into a vivid journey, helping readers see temptation, perseverance, and faith in everyday terms. Bedford’s jail could not silence the gospel; it amplified it. Bunyan’s witness endures as a call to hold fast, suffer well, and trust God’s purposes when obedience is costly. (https://biblehub.com/history/The_Tinker_Who_Would_Not_Be_Silent.htm)
The Pilgrim’s Progress is one of the most widely read books in history. Written by John Bunyan and published in 1678, it has been translated into over 200 languages and has never been out of print. It is often regarded as the second most published book after the Bible, with estimates of over 250 million copies sold globally. Its significance in Protestant literature and its impact on English literature make it a staple in many households, particularly in evangelical circles. In many American pioneer households, there were two books-the Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress.
Pastor Richard Wurmbrand (1909—2001) was an evangelical minister who endured 14 years of Communist imprisonment and torture in his homeland of Romania. He is widely recognized there as one of the country’s greatest Christian leaders, authors and educators.
In 1945, when the Communists seized Romania and attempted to take control of the churches, Pastor Wurmbrand began an effective, vigorous “underground” ministry to oppressed believers as well as to the Russian soldiers occupying his country. He was arrested in 1948, along with his wife, Sabina, who was imprisoned for three years. Pastor Wurmbrand spent three years in solitary confinement, seeing no one but his Communist torturers. He was then transferred to a group cell, where the torture continued for five more years. (https://www.persecution.com/founders/)
Eventually, Wurmbrand and his wife founded Voice of the Martyrs, an international organization that continues to minister to Christians facing persecution around the world.
The question for us is this: Are we willing to be persecuted for righteousness’s sake or will we wimp out? Do we have a faith worth dying for? May God help us to become so committed that we, like Bunyan or Wurmbrand, are willing to risk everything for the cause of Christ!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord Jesus, the very thought of martyrdom terrifies us. But You went to the cross and died for our sins. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives, no matter the cost. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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