There are only a few references to “persecution” in Swedenborg, and they are relatively literal, saying it means “to harrass and slander out of hatred.” Generally it is paired with things that represent specific doctrines or beliefs, with those being the things that are being attacked.
Passages from Swedenborg
Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 758
758. He persecuted the woman who brought forth the male child.- That this signifies that those who are meant by the dragon would from hatred and enmity reject and slander the church which is the New Jerusalem, because it holds the doctrine of life, is evident from the signification of persecuting, when said of those who are meant by the dragon, as denoting from hatred and enmity to reject and slander (concerning which we shall speak presently); from the signification of the woman, as denoting the church which is called the New Jerusalem (concerning which see above, n. 707, 721, 730); and from the signification of the male child, as denoting the doctrine of that church, which is the doctrine of life (concerning which see above, n. 724, 725). It is therefore plain that the dragon persecuting the woman who brought forth the male child signifies that those who are meant by the dragon will, from hatred and enmity, reject and slander the church, which is the New Jerusalem, because it holds the doctrine of life. That to persecute signifies here, from hatred and enmity to reject and slander, follows from what is previously said concerning the dragon, that he stood near the woman who was about to bring forth that he might devour her child; also that he fought with Michael and his angels; that when he was cast out unto the earth he had great anger; that from this anger, which signifies hatred, he persecuted the woman. That his anger signifies hatred may be seen above (n. 754). His hatred is further described, by his casting out of his mouth water as it were a flood after the woman, that it might swallow her up; and at last, when all attempts were in vain, by his going away full of anger, to make war with the rest of her seed.
Apocalypse Revealed (Rogers) n. 560
560. Now when the dragon saw that it had been cast to the earth, itpursued 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.
AE 223
[21] In the same:
Jesus said, When they persecute you in one city they should flee**** into another (Matt. 10:23). Here also by “city” is meant the doctrine of falsity from evil; that where this doctrine is the doctrine of truth will not be admitted, is meant by “when they persecute you in one city flee ye into another.”