Paul warned Timothy that times would get worse, and that is what we see in church history,

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3.13).

Not only would they deceive people, but they themselves would be deceived, believing that persecuting the godly was the right thing to do.

Therefore, do not be surprised when these things happen, because you are simply seeing the fulfillment of Scripture.