God has set up a conflict where some people are right and some are wrong.
Matthew 10:34 KJV — Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Those that are wrong persecute those that are right.
This conflict is illustrated by understanding that –
All people see the Grace of God.
God’s grace teaches people to deny ungodliness.
Only those who humble themselves before God receive the instruction of God’s grace.
God’s grace teaches us how to avoid His wrath, which is visited against sinful behavior.
Some people know how to avoid God’s wrath and some do not.
Those that don’t know persecute those that do know.
Those who don’t know how to deny ungodliness are used by God to discipline His people when they sin. They know but willfully dismiss/ignore that knowledge.
Proverbs 16:7 KJV — When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When the enemies of God are persecuting God’s followers they are not at peace.
In Ezekiel 38:16 we see the result of this conflict.
Eze 38:16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. (KJV)
God here says that He is bringing His enemies against His willfully sinful people in order to cause the attackers to know Him. This shows the dual purpose of people attacking Christians. One reason for the attack is the willful sin and resulting correction of God’s people. Another reason is to help the attackers know God.
When His enemies become aware of Him they are then faced with the decision to follow Him, or not.
The desired result of this conflict is the strengthening of God’s followers and the conversion of His enemies.