There are only a few references to "persecution" in the works of Swedenborg, but they say it means "to harass and slander out of hatred," and it generally refers to attacks on the doctrine or beliefs of others.

(Odkazy: Apocalypse Explained 758; Apocalypse Revealed 560; The Apocalypse Explained 223 [21])

560. Now when the dragon saw that it had been cast to the earth, it pursued the woman who gave birth to the male Child. (12:13) This symbolically means that after they were cast down, followers of the dragon in the world of spirits immediately began to harass the New Church because of its doctrine.

"When the dragon saw that it had been cast to the earth" means, symbolically, when the followers of the dragon saw that they had been separated from heaven and were in conjunction with people on earth (nos. 552, 558). Its pursuing the woman means, symbolically, that they immediately began to harass the Lord's church. That the woman it pursued is that church may be seen in no. 533. "Who gave birth to the male Child" means, symbolically, because of the doctrine. That the male child that the woman bore is the doctrine of the New Church may be seen in nos. 535, 542, 543, 545.