This whole thing about " persecution" in the WT Society variation of the term - is about maintaining control of even inactive JW's. As was mentioned by Sanderson even the inactive JW's are coming back saying " the end is near " . And as we notice even inactive JW's who don't attend meetings for 5 or 10, or even 20 years can STILL be under the influence of WT Society mind control where the slightest change in the world scene ( Trump getting elected, Russians persecuting JW's ) can cause JW cult mind control to flare up in their brains.
I was a perfect example of that. Born and raised in the JW cult - I initially stopped attending in 1998 after getting DFed - remaining so for 4 years. But when the 9/11 attacks happened due to not losing the WT mind control - I freaked out thinking " Armageddon " was happening and wanted to get reinstated which I did for my then teenage daughters in 2002. But before long I saw the hypocrisy of the organization and the elders and I left for good as an inactive Ex-JW in 2003. Since then I educated myself about mind control and never looked back . Still have freedom of mind in 2017. Now I'd never go back.
But this whole " we are being persecuted by the Russians ! " and blaming it on " Satan " allegedly " proving the end is near " - is all WT Society dogma and mind control indoctrination tactics used to whip JW's into a frenzy into staying in the JW organization for supposed " protection " . In reality staying in the JW organization sets these people up as targets with marks on their backs as an extreme mind control cult. That's all Sanderson is doing is the gross manipulation and fear mongering among rank & file JW's so they'll stay controlled by WT leaders in the cult. Pretty twisted. Just like Malawi. It's like being " martyrs " for no purpose whatsoever because " paradise " and " eternal life " is an unreality- so Russian JW's are standing up for something that's not real - there will be no reward or light at the end of the tunnel- very sad and very criminal of Sanderson and all the GB members to make JW's think they'll be rewarded for " dying for their beliefs "