In all ages God's appointed witnesses have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth's sake. Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. David, the chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true to his allegiance to heaven. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions, and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his relatives, and friends; yet he maintained his integrity. Jeremiah could not be deterred from speaking the words that God had given him to speak; and his testimony so enraged the king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned because he preached Christ and Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful messenger for God to the Gentiles. And John was banished to the Isle of Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Gennem alle tider har Guds udvalgte vidner udsat sig for beskyldninger og forfølgelse for sandhedens skyld. Josef blev bagtalt og forfulgt, fordi han bevarede sin dyd og hæderlighed. David, Guds udvalgte sendebud, blev jaget som et stykke vildt af sine fjender. Daniel blev kastet i løvekulen, fordi han ikke svigtede sin troskab mod Himmelen. Job blev berøvet sin jordiske ejendom og blev så legemligt lidende, at han vakte afsky hos sine venner og bekendte; men dog bevarede han sin retskaffenhed. Jeremias kunne ikke lade sig afholde fra at tale de ord, Gud havde befalet ham at sige og hans vidnesbyrd gjorde kongen og fyrsterne så rasende, at de lod ham kaste i en afskyelig hule. Stefanus blev stenet, fordi han prædikede Kristus og det som korsfæstet. Paulus blev fængslet, pisket, stenet og til slut henrettet, fordi han var Guds trofaste sendebud til hedningerne. Og Johannes blev forvist til øen Patmos "for Guds ords og Jesu vidnesbyrds skyld."