The church is not hidden from the world, so the Parable of the Hidden Treasure cannot mean that God hid the church in the world. Jesus nowhere teaches that His church should be hidden. He tells His disciples they are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, and a lamp that gives light, and He commands them to let their light shine so men may see their good works and glorify the Father (Matthew 5:14-16). The church's founding in Acts 2 was spectacular, and its message spread widely. The Thessalonians said the apostles had turned the world upside down, Paul told Agrippa the thing was not done in a corner, and he wrote that the gospel had been preached to every creature under heaven. Jesus said His followers would be hated by all for His name's sake, that killers would think they served God, and that their love for each other would identify them as His disciples. The church will also be the agent of preaching the gospel in all the world, so it will not be hidden at the end. Though it is not a large institution wielding temporal power and is not always visible in history books, wherever God's people live, the Spirit produces a visible witness to their neighbors. A church that is hidden looks too much like the world, which brings Christ no joy. The hidden treasure is instead the faith the Father gives, which Jesus found and kept hidden until He purchased the world.

The church of God has been spared restrictions on its religious freedom only because most church groups are small and relatively ineffective in witnessing to the world; while they remain so, they are safe and at peace. As American society grows more perverse and intolerant, the church should stand out in stark contrast, and if its witness grows, it will clash with the powers that be. Human nature is enmity against God (Romans 8:7), and society's hostile tolerance is a thin veneer that could give way to outright persecution. Christ foretold that His people would be delivered up to synagogues and prisons, brought before kings and rulers, betrayed by family and friends, and hated by all for His name's sake. Such trials become an occasion for testimony. Believers need not rehearse their answers beforehand, because Christ will give them a mouth and wisdom that no adversary can resist. The truth they speak may provoke more violence, even death, but patient endurance secures eternal life. Peter teaches that Christians should not think a fiery trial strange but rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings, committing their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. Entrance into God's Kingdom is what matters, and faithful martyrs will receive reward.