Talk of JESUS .com

Tag: suffering

Tribulation? Cheer up.
2017: Keep on for Christ’s sake.

I’m not invoking a phrase of cursing here, rather I call on the saints who hold fast to Jesus Christ to continue in faith. This is no new calling out in times of difficulty or anticipated times of trouble. We anticipate tribulation in the world.

Solomon may have come up with this calming wisdom for some new year [about 2900 years ago]:

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. – Ecclesiastes 1:9 NLT

We begin this new year of expectant change by those with troubling temperaments leading us into the unknown. Certainly Rome ruled with a harsh hand. When the Messiah Jesus knew that His drama of suffering was imminent, the Lord offered true hope to His followers.

John 16:

“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away…

Jesus is not speaking to non-believers here, but to those followers, saints of the church. In fact, our Lord adds a vaguely familiar motive for these troubles ahead.

“… Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.

The world sees and overlooks routine persecution in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and in the slums of our rich cities. (Nothing new under the sun.)

[ctt title=”The world remotely headlines the very sufferings, persecution, expulsion and genocide of many who refuse to bow down to idol false gods and violent dead prophets.” tweet=”We pray for persecuted Christians, Jews and Muslims of the wrong sect in places controlled by hopeless men.” coverup=”2IbK7″]

Tribulation Defined

South Sudan Nov. 2015

Oxford defines tribulation (usually tribulations) as: 1 A cause of great trouble or suffering or 1.1 A state of great trouble or suffering.

A look into the Greek root of Jesus’ word used here is more revealing.
θλῖψις [thlipsis] –
1. a pressing, pressing together, pressure
2. metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits
refugees driven from their cities in Syria & Iraq

Photos of war and refugees define our present pressing in of evil. Distant news reveals affliction all too well, therefore the world’s loss of hope leads us to believe we cannot have peace – ever.

Think about it: Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, offends those who deny God and perpetrate evil.

[ctt title=”Followers of causes opposed to the LORD most often claim false gods, false traditions and false men offering false hope.” tweet=”GOD offends the godless!” coverup=”IbtST”]

Life’s evils do and will again repeat themselves.

“But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

– John 16:4”

Tribulations define a pressing in of sin by a fallen world opposed to God.
- When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and obey his voice. – Deuteronomy 4:20
- “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. – Matthew 24:9
Yes, Jesus, the incarnate Messiah of the LORD God, is hated by all nations, because the world hates the LORD. Tribulations for Christians and others will continue in the 21st century, as in the 20th and the first centuries. History of the church reveals the truth of Jesus’ warnings to followers. We do not have to look far to see those who refuse the Holy Spirit of the LORD God.

Acts 14:19-22

… they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city… they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples.

… encouraging them to continue in the faith,

and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

The Pressing In

As we anticipate the inevitable tribulation of this upcoming year, Christians would do well to heed the cheery advice of our Lord. Jesus has overcome the world and its troubles; therefore in Him we can have peace in our hearts.

We have Gospel good news! God came to man in His own Perfect Image as a living perfect sacrifice for our sins. After Jesus returned to God the Father He sent the Holy Spirit of God to be with those who love the LORD.

8 And when he [the Helper] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Christians and non-christians alike experience sin pressing in. Judgment, therefore, awaits every living soul and each deceased failed body of mortal flesh.

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy…

… but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

29 His disciples said… “Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus answered them..

[And the Lord answers us as we anticipate with some trepidation of the year to come.]

“Do you now believe?

32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered…

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation.

But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Welcome 2017

2 Corinthians 1: NKJV

To the church of God… with all the saints…

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble,

with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Beloved believer, cheer up; for Christ our saving hope from tribulation, from death and from judgment returns for those who love the Lord – for the chosen ones, saints for all time, this year and forever.

Amen.
January 2, 2017
Yesterday I Could Sing

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. – 2 Timothy 4:6-7

A Song from our memories

Three beautiful young women, gifted beyond measure, shared in ministry to others. Audiences applauded their talent and their enthusiasm emptied in every performance for those who delighted by their singing.

Now, many years later, the melody resonates only in our memory and their captivating smiles live only in our hearts. But once they were young and beautiful, dancing and singing with vibrancy and grace.

—

Death is bitter-sweet, really. It always comes as a shock.. sometimes unexpectedly, yet often slowly.

She was radiant as a young woman and as vivacious as any young woman beaming to the applause of audiences and generous accolades of friends. How we all remember her, that beautiful woman with the uplifting voice. A melody of her joy still resonates in my heart.

But that was many years ago. Now the expected silence draws nearer with the drawing of each breath. Her long-trapped soul lies restless in a shell no longer like the glory of her true countenance. And worst of all the melody of hope no longer fills the room or even whispers a pianissimo motif to into the plaintive silence of loved ones all about her.

I see us from memories of a now-distant past. As they close their eyes together all see her present memory of the glory of youth. They hear her joy of the carefree song – the melodies of love, the outpouring of her gifts. This audience immersed behind closed eyes and long-forgotten memories hear her sing – they hear her sing!

These divas of days past, no different now. For each the moment does finally come when only their soul cries out, as dry lips do fail: “Yesterday, I could sing… yesterday, I could sing…”

December 31, 2016
Do not lose heart over tribulations & sufferings – 2

Paul’s encouragement for the church at Ephesus

‘Faint not at my tribulations or do not ‘lose heart over what I am suffering for you.’ The Apostle Paul writes these words differing some by translation [KJV or ESV].

διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐκκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἥτιςἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν – Ephesians 3:13

Do you lose heart when you or a loved one suffers? Do you faint at the thought of a loved one experiencing tribulations before their death?

Most of us have at least one hurting loved one who comes to mind. A leader esteemed by like-minded followers does not want them to give up over any trial he must endure. Understand Paul’s heart is compassion for his followers.

Tribulations θλῖψις

Paul’s choice of words from the Greek, thlipsis, paints familiar imagery to those who suffer. He chooses a metaphor for oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits; the picture of a pressing, pressing together or pressure. We recognize the tension of relationship when one suffers and another can do nothing about it.

Paul and the Apostles knew the pressure and persecution, as did the saints of the church. In fact, Jesus had used the same word of prophesy to the Apostles before His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Our Lord tells of the signs of the end of the age.

Prophesy of Christ Jesus

Matthew 24:

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Fellow believer and saint, do you sense this in these last days? What encouragement for the saints of the church of Ephesus at the beginning of these last days!

Jesus continues with the description a great tribulation:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.

Therefore, do not lose heart.

Paul, Peter, John, even our Lord Jesus Christ have written what must take place. Returning to Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, let’s close with the encouragement of his meaning.

‘Wherefore I desire that ye faint not… Ephesians 3:13a KJV

And what is it to faint from an enormous undertaking of faith? Faint ἐκκακέω ekkakeō – to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted.

Does this describe your battle? Paul, the one who has suffered for his witness of Christ calls on the saints of Ephesus to faint not. In Christ we must persevere, winning over the defeat of sin, suffering and death. Our suffering indeed becomes our glory through the Lord. Paul goes on to urge us to prayer.

Jesus speaks of it as well, adding in the same way that we must faint not and calling us to prayer.

Tribulations and the Dishonest Judge

Luke 17:33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

[ctt title=”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” tweet=”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” coverup=”9eI20″]

2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”

6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Our glory in Christ

When Jesus comes, will he find faith on earth? Will Christ find faith in Ephesus or in your city? Surely the Lord has declared your tribulations and suffering will come to an end.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 21:3-5a [KJV]

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,

and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

[ctt title=”Beloved saint, do not lose heart over tribulations and sufferings. For the Lord redeems His own and the glory of the Lord reigns forever.” tweet=”Beloved saint, do not lose heart over tribulations and sufferings. For the Lord redeems His own and the glory of the Lord reigns forever.” coverup=”EbKeq”]

Amen.

November 17, 2016