The Election Count – Part 17
1 Corinthians 15:16-18 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
But there is a resurrection, and the dead in Christ shall rise incorruptible.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
When we fall asleep, we sleep in Jesus. We die in Christ. We rest in hope.
We have hope. Others have no hope. They have fear and sorrow.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Mankind is subject to the bondage of the fear of death. They all fear death. But we Christians no longer are in bondage to the fear of death. Satan no longer holds the power of death. Christ holds the power of death. And so we no longer have any reason to fear death.
“Don’t fear death”. Easy for me to say now, right? True.. but the Scripture cannot broken, and the Scripture says:
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Death has been “declawed”. It no longer has a sting. It no longer has the ability to hurt you.
Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
There is no more pain in death. No more sting of it. For those who die with Christ, death has no power on them. Death cannot hurt them.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
It’s easy to say “fear not” until you are faced with grave danger. True… But the Scripture cannot broken, and the Scripture says:
Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
I don’t say “fear not” because I myself am courageous and I am not afraid. I say “fear not” because the Scripture cannot broken, and the Scripture says:
1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: …
You should be happy, and not afraid of death. Not afraid what man can do unto you.
It’s easy to say “fear not”, but you really should “fear not”. Because the Scripture cannot broken, and the Scripture says:
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Why should you “fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer”? Because your soul can’t die! It can’t lose one single hair!
Psalms 33:18-19 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Your flesh may die.. but your soul will not see death! The sting of death is sin. With no sin, death cannot hurt you! So there is nothing to fear. Every bit of pain and suffering for His sake, will turn into your exceeding glory. So fear not, but rather rejoice, for great is your reward in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This is typically taught in a different way. But “temptations” are not just enticements to sin. “Temptations” are also persecutions of the flesh.
Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
Galatians 4:13-14 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
These are not enticements to sin, these are persecutions. So.. then…
With every persecution, the Lord makes a way to escape.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
If you will wait on Him, He will deliver you. You will escape. Whether in life, or in death.
And not only will you escape, you will receive a great reward in Heaven. You will win a crown!
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Most people think this crown is given for not sinning when tempted of one’s own lust. Like if you abstain from fornication and strip clubs and don’t take bribes, and don’t succumb to peer pressure, etc.. Mostly, because of the next two verses:
James 1:13-14 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Maybe partially true… But that is not the whole truth.
Temptations can be persecutions!
You say, how can you not believe this is about enticement to sin?
Let’s see the only other appearance of the “crown of life”
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
This crown is given for enduring persecutions. It’s a martyr’s crown! Possibly also given to those that are greatly persecuted for His sake (though they have not died in that service (died on death bed or raptured).
Now, maybe it is, in a way, given for rejecting the lusts of the flesh (your lusts, your life, the world) in order to serve the Lord. But I would define the way to achieve it as laying down your life for the Lord. Not simply, avoiding sin; not going to strip clubs. But for rejecting the treasures of the world, and choosing to be persecuted: choosing the persecutions of the cross of Christ.
This is the only way to receive the greatest rewards. So..
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
If you preach the gospel, afflictions will find you. Don’t run from them. Partake of them!
Why should you do that?
Because you know there is no sting, no pain in death.
And because you KNOW that your reward is great in heaven.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ… 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If you want to be a partaker of the consolation, you must take part in the sufferings. You won’t be sorry that you did.. you will be exceeding joyful.
John 16:1-3 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
It’s not about you. Its about the Lord! They don’t hate how you live or what principles you stand for. They hate the Lord Jesus. They hate His judgment. They hate His Word.
He’s told you before that you will suffer persecutions. That you might not be afraid, that you might know that God has not forgotten you. He has not left you. If you’re suffering for righteousness’s sake (and allowing it!), you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.
This is how you know you’re serving Him well. When they hate you for His sake. (not because you fight against them, not for your politics, or for your lifestyle) But because you prophesy to them.
Woe unto thee when all men speak well of thee – false prophets.
Because you preach the gospel, you fear the Lord and obey the Lord rather than men.
2 Timothy 3:10-12 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Paul saw the salvation of the Lord many times. Many times he was suffered to suffer. He was allowed to be persecuted, and beaten, threatened, imprisoned, accused, condemned.
But out of all persecutions the Lord delivers the godly.
1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
I believe that godliness gives you a promise of the life that now is, subject to His will. That is:
- Your death is precious to the Lord, and your death is a mercy.
- Through sufferings. As long as you are alive for godliness’ sake, you must suffer (allow) persecutions.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Will, not do. Suffer, not receive/have. So..
If you will (desire to) live godly in Christ Jesus, you must suffer (allow) persecutions.
If you fight them, or run from them, and do not allow them and endure them, you’ve not desired to live godly in Jesus.
If you allow them, as you must, the Lord will make a way to escape. He will deliver you out of all of them. Until the day He doesn’t.. the day that He mercifully brings you home.
We need not fear death. But our fears are not just of death, but also what we leave behind.
Especially as a parent of young kids, my mind goes to their care and safety if I die. How can I allow myself to be killed and thus leave them alone? That is the fear, right? Well, here is what David said:
Psalms 37:25-26 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
David never saw it, I haven’t, and you haven’t either. Because the righteous and their children never have to beg for food. The Lord always provides for His own and their children that wait for Him.
Not that they will never be hungry. But that God always provides. Jesus never had to beg. Neither did His apostles or The Lord’s prophets in the OT.
Godliness is not just a promise to you… but to YOUR CHILDREN. You want to make sure they are taken care of? You want to make sure they have food to eat, clothes to wear, water to drink, a roof to dwell under? Whether you live or die!?!?! Seek righteousness! Be righteous. Be godly! Find godliness.. Forsake all else and trust the Lord. Obey His word. Be godly.
He knows you need all these things. And all these things will be added unto you. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (living waters – the true bread – the Holy Spirit).
For me that’s the scary thing: the true bread. But I believe this is also covered. A righteous man’s children don’t beg bread. They are not forsaken in the bread of Christ either.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
The Lord will not leave you empty and hungry. He will not forsake you in persecutions for His sake.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
So.. fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.
Philippians 1:27-29 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
This is a sign unto them, and you. Do you want to see an evident token of God? Suffer persecutions without fear.
You will the Lord’s hand.
You will see evidence of your salvation. They will see evidence of their destruction.
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Acts 5:40-41 … and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Christians cannot earn salvation. But we can be counted worthy of it… by preaching the gospel through persecutions.
Persecutions are a blessing to Christians. It means we are counted worthy of God.
An evil ruler, an evil government is a blessing to Christians.
But this is not just about us..
1 Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
A righteous judge rewards the good and punishes the evildoers. While a wicked judge does the same…
An evil ruler allows sinners to fill up their sins to their destruction, an evil ruler rewards the righteous with persecutions to our glory.
God hardened Pharaoh’s heart just to make His power known. “iniquity shall abound” during the time of pouring out of God’s wrath, judgment and tribulation on the Earth.
God allows iniquity to abound that He might make His wrath known to the uttermost on them. When you suffer persecutions, you allow your adversaries to fill up their sins.
And if you are cast out as evil, hated, spit on, thrown in prison, beaten, tortured… Rejoice! You are counted WORTHY of God! And GREAT is your reward in heaven.
They win now, we win for ever. They will torment us now, the Lord will torment them for ever! And that is a righteous thing in the sight of God.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
They will beat us now… we will pierce them, and tread them under our feet on the day of the Lord.
For the JOY that is set before us, we should endure, suffer, abide the tribulations.
It may seem fearful to your flesh now, but it will not be more than you are able to bear. He will make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Its just a night of sorrow… but joy cometh in the morning.
Mar 7 2021
The Election Count – Part 17
Downloadable Word document:
The Election Count – Part 17
The Election Count – Part 17
1 Corinthians 15:16-18 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
But there is a resurrection, and the dead in Christ shall rise incorruptible.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
When we fall asleep, we sleep in Jesus. We die in Christ. We rest in hope.
We have hope. Others have no hope. They have fear and sorrow.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Mankind is subject to the bondage of the fear of death. They all fear death. But we Christians no longer are in bondage to the fear of death. Satan no longer holds the power of death. Christ holds the power of death. And so we no longer have any reason to fear death.
“Don’t fear death”. Easy for me to say now, right? True.. but the Scripture cannot broken, and the Scripture says:
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Death has been “declawed”. It no longer has a sting. It no longer has the ability to hurt you.
Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
There is no more pain in death. No more sting of it. For those who die with Christ, death has no power on them. Death cannot hurt them.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
It’s easy to say “fear not” until you are faced with grave danger. True… But the Scripture cannot broken, and the Scripture says:
Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
I don’t say “fear not” because I myself am courageous and I am not afraid. I say “fear not” because the Scripture cannot broken, and the Scripture says:
1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: …
You should be happy, and not afraid of death. Not afraid what man can do unto you.
It’s easy to say “fear not”, but you really should “fear not”. Because the Scripture cannot broken, and the Scripture says:
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Why should you “fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer”? Because your soul can’t die! It can’t lose one single hair!
Psalms 33:18-19 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Your flesh may die.. but your soul will not see death! The sting of death is sin. With no sin, death cannot hurt you! So there is nothing to fear. Every bit of pain and suffering for His sake, will turn into your exceeding glory. So fear not, but rather rejoice, for great is your reward in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This is typically taught in a different way. But “temptations” are not just enticements to sin. “Temptations” are also persecutions of the flesh.
Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
Galatians 4:13-14 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
These are not enticements to sin, these are persecutions. So.. then…
With every persecution, the Lord makes a way to escape.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
If you will wait on Him, He will deliver you. You will escape. Whether in life, or in death.
And not only will you escape, you will receive a great reward in Heaven. You will win a crown!
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Most people think this crown is given for not sinning when tempted of one’s own lust. Like if you abstain from fornication and strip clubs and don’t take bribes, and don’t succumb to peer pressure, etc.. Mostly, because of the next two verses:
James 1:13-14 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Maybe partially true… But that is not the whole truth.
Temptations can be persecutions!
You say, how can you not believe this is about enticement to sin?
Let’s see the only other appearance of the “crown of life”
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
This crown is given for enduring persecutions. It’s a martyr’s crown! Possibly also given to those that are greatly persecuted for His sake (though they have not died in that service (died on death bed or raptured).
Now, maybe it is, in a way, given for rejecting the lusts of the flesh (your lusts, your life, the world) in order to serve the Lord. But I would define the way to achieve it as laying down your life for the Lord. Not simply, avoiding sin; not going to strip clubs. But for rejecting the treasures of the world, and choosing to be persecuted: choosing the persecutions of the cross of Christ.
This is the only way to receive the greatest rewards. So..
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
If you preach the gospel, afflictions will find you. Don’t run from them. Partake of them!
Why should you do that?
Because you know there is no sting, no pain in death.
And because you KNOW that your reward is great in heaven.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ… 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If you want to be a partaker of the consolation, you must take part in the sufferings. You won’t be sorry that you did.. you will be exceeding joyful.
John 16:1-3 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
It’s not about you. Its about the Lord! They don’t hate how you live or what principles you stand for. They hate the Lord Jesus. They hate His judgment. They hate His Word.
He’s told you before that you will suffer persecutions. That you might not be afraid, that you might know that God has not forgotten you. He has not left you. If you’re suffering for righteousness’s sake (and allowing it!), you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.
This is how you know you’re serving Him well. When they hate you for His sake. (not because you fight against them, not for your politics, or for your lifestyle) But because you prophesy to them.
Woe unto thee when all men speak well of thee – false prophets.
Because you preach the gospel, you fear the Lord and obey the Lord rather than men.
2 Timothy 3:10-12 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Paul saw the salvation of the Lord many times. Many times he was suffered to suffer. He was allowed to be persecuted, and beaten, threatened, imprisoned, accused, condemned.
But out of all persecutions the Lord delivers the godly.
1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
I believe that godliness gives you a promise of the life that now is, subject to His will. That is:
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Will, not do. Suffer, not receive/have. So..
If you will (desire to) live godly in Christ Jesus, you must suffer (allow) persecutions.
If you fight them, or run from them, and do not allow them and endure them, you’ve not desired to live godly in Jesus.
If you allow them, as you must, the Lord will make a way to escape. He will deliver you out of all of them. Until the day He doesn’t.. the day that He mercifully brings you home.
We need not fear death. But our fears are not just of death, but also what we leave behind.
Especially as a parent of young kids, my mind goes to their care and safety if I die. How can I allow myself to be killed and thus leave them alone? That is the fear, right? Well, here is what David said:
Psalms 37:25-26 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
David never saw it, I haven’t, and you haven’t either. Because the righteous and their children never have to beg for food. The Lord always provides for His own and their children that wait for Him.
Not that they will never be hungry. But that God always provides. Jesus never had to beg. Neither did His apostles or The Lord’s prophets in the OT.
Godliness is not just a promise to you… but to YOUR CHILDREN. You want to make sure they are taken care of? You want to make sure they have food to eat, clothes to wear, water to drink, a roof to dwell under? Whether you live or die!?!?! Seek righteousness! Be righteous. Be godly! Find godliness.. Forsake all else and trust the Lord. Obey His word. Be godly.
He knows you need all these things. And all these things will be added unto you. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (living waters – the true bread – the Holy Spirit).
For me that’s the scary thing: the true bread. But I believe this is also covered. A righteous man’s children don’t beg bread. They are not forsaken in the bread of Christ either.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
The Lord will not leave you empty and hungry. He will not forsake you in persecutions for His sake.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
So.. fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.
Philippians 1:27-29 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
This is a sign unto them, and you. Do you want to see an evident token of God? Suffer persecutions without fear.
You will the Lord’s hand.
You will see evidence of your salvation. They will see evidence of their destruction.
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Acts 5:40-41 … and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Christians cannot earn salvation. But we can be counted worthy of it… by preaching the gospel through persecutions.
Persecutions are a blessing to Christians. It means we are counted worthy of God.
An evil ruler, an evil government is a blessing to Christians.
But this is not just about us..
1 Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
A righteous judge rewards the good and punishes the evildoers. While a wicked judge does the same…
An evil ruler allows sinners to fill up their sins to their destruction, an evil ruler rewards the righteous with persecutions to our glory.
God hardened Pharaoh’s heart just to make His power known. “iniquity shall abound” during the time of pouring out of God’s wrath, judgment and tribulation on the Earth.
God allows iniquity to abound that He might make His wrath known to the uttermost on them. When you suffer persecutions, you allow your adversaries to fill up their sins.
And if you are cast out as evil, hated, spit on, thrown in prison, beaten, tortured… Rejoice! You are counted WORTHY of God! And GREAT is your reward in heaven.
They win now, we win for ever. They will torment us now, the Lord will torment them for ever! And that is a righteous thing in the sight of God.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
They will beat us now… we will pierce them, and tread them under our feet on the day of the Lord.
For the JOY that is set before us, we should endure, suffer, abide the tribulations.
It may seem fearful to your flesh now, but it will not be more than you are able to bear. He will make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Its just a night of sorrow… but joy cometh in the morning.
By Pastor • Suffering Persecutions • 0