The saints should be patient, even if someone wants to kill them.
It means we reap what we sow. Do not think you can kill someone and get away with it. You might get away with it in this life; but sooner or later, you will have to solve the problem of the injustice you did. If you are a saint, faced with persecutions, do not say, "I didn't deserve this." You do. You are reaping what was sown.
The rule is there, but there is some flexibility. I met a woman once -- and I remembered how I murdered her in a past life. I never mentioned it to her; but the time came one evening when I had to be willing to step up to the plate. She was threatening to stab her boyfriend. I put myself between them and told her I wouldn't let her. She said she'd stab me. I knew it was completely just if she did kill me, so I told her she could if she wanted. I wouldn't resist. She looked at me, stunned and said she couldn't kill me. She had forgiven me for murdering her since I was ready to forgive her if she murdered me. We both found forgiveness, I think. It wasn't strictly required that I be murdered. It was required that I be willing to let it happen however, and without complaining.
Before the Flood, people could attain perfection in one lifetime. It became impossible when the lifespan was shortened. Now it takes about seven or eight lifetimes after sometime commences the Path.
Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
I think the seven churches also show it. You also see it here:
Mark 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
If something is an idol for you and you give it up, you mastered it. God can then give you a hundred of them, and it's okay since they're no longer idols. You will still have persecutions -- in the areas you need to master. So you can have hundreds of these things and family members "in this time" as well as eternal life in the world to come.
Ever notice how people are born different? Well, if you attain something in this life, it's a treasure for you in this life; but there's a copy also of it in Heaven -- and when you get born in another body, that same gift is yours. You can use it time and again over several lifetimes.
Virtues are eternal -- vices are not.
