They had to be very careful who was present when they had Bible study. The unbelieving world will not so much scorn you because of the color of your skin, your culture, or your financial standing. However, they will scorn you because of your faith in Jesus. When persecution comes to a country or to a church, those who are merely cultural Christians will fade away into the background. Only those who truly know Christ will endure.
Believers are never to intentionally seek out persecution.
We should never try to endure persecution for its own sake. We are not obligated to stay in a place of danger until we are imprisoned or killed. Paul and the other apostles followed this principle throughout their ministries. They endured persecution only in order to reach people. This is a reference to the 144,000 messianic Jews who will preach the gospel during the tribulation.