In the past as well as today, kings and their subjects as well as all the people who despised the practicers of the Lotus Sūtra in the Latter Age of Degeneration seem to be safe at first, but they will perish in the end without exception. The same can be said regarding me, Nichiren. In the beginning, it appeared that there were no signs of protection for me, but now, after 27 years of propagation, all the deities such as the King of Brahma Heaven, Indra, Sun Deity, Moon Deity, and the Four Heavenly Kings who made the vow to protect the practicer of the Lotus Sūtra, now realize that if they do not keep their vows, they will fall into the Avīci Hell. Therefore, they have begun to protect me.

Shōnin Gonan Ji, Persecution Befalling Nichiren Shōnin, Writings of Nichiren Shōnin, Volume 5, Page 119