Not quite sure why you jump from 'persecution' to 'political upheavels' in the next breath.
Jesus DID say that his followers would be persecuted. If JW's are persecuted solely for obeying Jesus commands somehow then fair enough Eg, refusing to take up arms in Nazi Germany during WW2; I actually think JW's anti-Hitler stance and the subsequent persecution they suffered was highly commendable. The problem with JW's however is that 90% of the time they are 'persecuted' for following strange, legalistic interpretations of the Watchtower Society rather than purely for obeying Jesus (eg, refusing to do alternative non-military service for refusing to take, or not purchasing a one-party political card, or not having blood-transfusions).