Before I continue I must explain the difference between suffering for Christ and being chastened. People suffer chastening for their faults, but they suffer persecution for the virtue of their obedience. Peter contrasts these saying: this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffetted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. (1 Peter 2:19-21)
All must be prepared to suffer. Christ said: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it . . . what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:24-27) These words were spoken in the context of sufferings, and are to teach that the heavenly reward is more important than the sufferings necessary to achieve it.
Christians suffer at the hands of men who behave as though they think that they are gods, unto whom the word of the true God says: Ye are gods . . . but ye shall die like men. (Psalm 82:6,7) When such men command us to disobey the true and living God, we must remember that they are only men. We have been commanded to have no other gods before YAHWEY and must remember that there are no other gods except deceptions. So we cannot give ultimate loyalty to anyone but YAHWEY, irrespective of the consequences. Jesus said: And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:4,5) Not that we will be cast into hell if we fail, but rather our persecutors may be.
Paul said: all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12) In the first century it was not only the apostles who were persecuted, but the whole church was scattered: at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1) Following Christ means more than just believing. It is written: unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. (Philippians 1:29)
In enduring suffering, Christ is to be our example of whom it is written: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously (the Father). (1 Peter 2:23) The Jews reviled Christ saying: Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? (John 8:48) But Jesus replied with simple truth saying: I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
Fully following Christ means sharing His sufferings. Jesus said: The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub (a demonic god), how much more shall they call them of his household? (Matthew 10:24,25)
Our suffering may involve more than just words spoken against us. Jesus said: beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. (Matthew 10:17) So we are called to follow in the footsteps of our Master who was brought before the chief priests, the elders and the council (Matthew 26:59) and who was scourged or flogged by Pilate (Matthew 27:26).
Some Christians will even be called to lay down their lives as Jesus did. Under a general persecution it may even be a relative who betrays a Christian’s profession or whereabouts. Jesus said: brother shall deliver up the brother to death. (Matthew 10:21)
That we be not discouraged when suffering persecution, we should remember Christ’s example. It is written: consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:3,4) Paul exhorts Timothy, saying: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. (1 Timothy 6:12,13)
Jesus Christ, in the face of death, confessed that He was King, saying to Pilate: Thou sayest rightly that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one who is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37) He thus refused to recant, telling them that it was to them to acknowledge the truth.
Those who recant suffer great loss, the loss of reward. Jesus said: Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8,9) Although this word does not exclude repentance, it is a stern warning, that those who refuse to be identified with Christ when challenged for their faith, cannot have great reward.
But while forgiveness is available to a Christian who may at first deny the Lord, it is not available to those who falsely accuse the Christian of being possessed of the Devil, when his works are of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven. (Luke 12:10) And whatever our enemies may say, one day their hypocrisy will be revealed. So Jesus says: Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. (Matthew 10:26)
Christians do not die in vain. God uses persecution to spread the gospel. Jesus said: ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. (Matthew 10:18)
But when being accused we do not necessarily have to answer all questions even as Jesus did not. It is written: And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. (Mark 15:3-5)
But when we do need to answer, God will give us the necessary wisdom. So Jesus said: when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak . . . for it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (Matthew 10:19,20) Jesus promises us: I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (Luke 21:15) This speaks not of gospel preaching or giving sermons, which should usually be prepared (although not without prayer to seek God’s mind). Rather Christ is speaking of battles, during which we should rely upon God, as did King Asa to whom it was said: Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand. (2 Chronicles 16:8) We rely upon God during trial by not meditating our answers beforehand.
Worrying how to answer turns our minds away from God and His word and so diminishes our faith in the hour of trial. Jesus promise, to give us the answer, should help us to focus upon the glory of God, in praise and fervent prayer. God’s purposes in a trial may be far grander than our own. Our thought may be escaping trouble, but God’s purpose may be testimony to His word. Worrying about the technicalities of the situation and how to answer, may cause us to lose sight of God’s purposes and neglect to give the message that He gives us in that hour.
An example of effective testimony is that of the deacon Stephen, who was the church’s first martyr. Because of the wonders he performed and his words which they could not fault, the Jews: set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. (Acts 6:13,14)
God gave Stephen a brilliant answer, which began by showing from the Scriptures that most of the history of the Jews involved rebellion to Moses, rather than obedience to him. Of Moses, Stephen said: whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. (Acts 7:39,40)
Stephen continued by likening them to the rebellious Jews, rather than the faithful. Far from keeping the Law of Moses as they prided themselves in self-delusion, their hearts were no better than the heathen. And Stephen likened their slaying of Jesus to the persecution of the Old Testament prophets by their ancestors. Stephen said to them: Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. (Acts 7:51-53)
Stephen’s answer, which showed these Jews their true place in the Bible, destroyed their self-confidence and they were: cut to the heart. But instead of repenting: they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Only after explaining to the Jews the reason for their exclusion from God’s glory, could Stephen speak of heaven. He said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56) Perhaps God gave Stephen this vision to strengthen his faith and it is written that: he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God. The Holy Spirit not only gave Stephen the words, but also faith and vision.
The Jews should have learned the irrelevancy of continuing their traditions. But instead, hearing of the glory of the victorious Christ was to much for them to bear and: Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him. (Acts 7:57,58) But God filled Stephen with compassion and: he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60) Stephen had faith in God not to see death as the end. So when departing he prayed: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Stephen’s testimony must have been instrumental in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, later called Paul. It is written: the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. (Acts 7:58) But Paul later said: I did it ignorantly in unbelief. (1 Timothy 1:13)
When Saul was converted on the road to Damascus, the Lord said to him: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (Acts 9:5) A goad is a pointed instrument to guide oxen and Solomon says: the words of the wise are as goads. (Ecclesiastes 12:11) Stephen’s words and his prayer must have been like goads to Saul. Conversion involves both the heart and mind. The appearance of Jesus convinced Saul’s mind, but Stephen’s words must have contributed to convincing his heart.
When suffering persecution we should remember that it is not just us against them. It is the Devil against Christ. Paul says: be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)
An item of armour is: having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:15) When the twelve apostles were sent out with the gospel, the Lord promised: I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20) This is God’s promise to us as we perform the ministries the Spirit distributes. And: if God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Another item of armour is to take: for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (I Thessalonians 5:8) In the context of eternity, no way that man can harm us is of any consequence, as God is the ultimate Judge. If they kill us, God will raise us from the dead. If they imprison us, one day we shall be free to reign in God’s eternal kingdom. If they beat us, one day we will have a part in the New Jerusalem, where: 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. (Revelation 21:4)
So whatever the adversaries of the Lord may be thinking, Christians have the ultimate victory. Paul writes: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:35-39)
Above all we must take: the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16), and realise that our enemies cannot perform anything that God does not permit. The sovereign will of God, that determines even when sparrows fall to the ground, limits man’s devices. Jesus said: Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31) So our enemies cannot even pull out one hair of our heads without our Father’s permission. But sometimes God permits tribulations to prove our faith.
Tribulations also perfect our faith. Peter writes that such trials are given: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:7) Fire removes impurities from gold, and tribulations do the same for our faith.
Such tribulations focus our minds on what is of eternal value. When all is well there is an inclination to focus upon this earth. But to endure affliction, Paul said that he looked: not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Job is an example of perfection through trial, in his case of loss of wealth, of loss of family, of sickness, and of false accusation by ‘comforters’. But Job was not being chastened for disobedience. God says of him: Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil. (Job 1:8) Yet despite this, Job’s faith needed purification in that he did not understand God.
Job’s fault was that he found fault with God. In his complaint he said: My righteousness is more than God’s. (Job 35:2) Job did not realise the greatness of God. He thought that his own good deed directly helped God. And that God in return was not blessing Job, implied fault with God.
His thinking was wrong for several reasons. As Elihu explained to him, God is not directly affected by our actions. He is in heaven whilst we are on the earth. And regarding judgement, God’s rewards are on a broader time scale than Job thought.
God’s thought for man is that he might be perfected to dwell with Him forever in the New Jerusalem, of which it is written: 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. (Revelation 21:3)
Eternal life means that we live or continue forever. So we do not start heaven with a blank mind, as this would mean that a new person had replaced the old. And in heaven we shall remember the lessons we learned on earth. This learning helps conform our minds to the perfection of truth. This, the purpose of life, enables God to fulfil His eternal plan for us, even as it is written: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29) This work, which is completed when we are glorified at Christ’s return, has begun already. Because what would be the profit of glorification if our thinking was all wrong. So this life must teach us that the ways of the Lord are right.
Whatever may appear to be going wrong is really going right, as we are being prepared for glory: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
And so it was with Job. Through his affliction he learned of God, and afterward could say to God: I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. (Job 42:5)
Then God healed Job and restored to him double of all that he had lost, and his friends comforted him. This is typical of trials, so we should not lose heart. James 5:11 says: Behold we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Trials do not last forever and should only temporarily add sorrow to the joy of awaiting heaven. Peter writes: ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. (1 Peter 1:6) Even compared with the time of our pilgrimage on earth, trials are only of limited duration. And compared with eternity Paul writes: our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
When enduring suffering we should consider Jesus’ example by: looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) The joy set before Christ, His hope, was to sit at His Father’s right hand, to save the church and thus be with His brethren forever, and to reign over the nations. His Father had promised Him, saying: Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. (Psalm 2:8)
Although we shall not suffer as much as Jesus, we like Him, shall have a great reward if we endure trials. I discuss rewards in the articles, whose abstracts are on the page: Beyond the Grave. But here I wish to establish that to obtain a good reward we must pay a price by suffering. Paul said to Timothy: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3) He also said: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us. (2 Timothy 2:12) To reign with Christ means to have authority over the nations, but this reward may be lost if we deny Christ during trial.
But Christ encourages us to endure, saying to us: 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. (Revelation 2:10) The temporary nature of the tribulation is nothing compared with the eternal crown.
Although caution is a natural instinct to keep us from acting foolishly, the devil can use fear to prevent us from continuing in the will of God. Before his conversion, Saul said of the saints that he: punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme. (Acts 26:11)
By why should we fear death, as death is only temporary. Then we shall live forever. But as explained in the article: Judgement, our enemies shall be first punished, then extinguished forever in permanent death. Unlike they, we have nothing to fear, even if they kill us. This is why Jesus says: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11) This is an encouragement rather than a threat, because the converse is not true; the apostle Peter did not go to hell when he denied Christ. Those who fail will not go to hell but merely suffer loss.
It seems as though someone misinterpreting this encouraging promise of Jesus, by using their own wisdom, turned it into a threat, and added the converse in Rev 21:8, saying: the fearful . . . shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. We should not think it impossible that amongst the thousands of divinely inspired verses that have come to us from Christ in the Scriptures, there are a few dozen spurious texts. It was common to add explanatory notes to the copies of the Scriptures that were handed down. Sometimes it was not possible for a future copyist to distinguish from the word of God and the wisdom of man. The Roman Catholics have added whole books to the bible, and for many centuries Christianity went through times without knowledge, when the Roman Catholic church reigned supreme. We know what barbarism the Catholics practised against the Protestants, and sometimes the Protestants against the 'heretics'. It should not surprise us then if a few judgemental threats seemed to have been added to the Scriptures. The true context of wrath, is against those who persecute Christians and this should be a consolation rather than a foreboding. The disobedient heathen merely face cessation. This was the message to Adam, and is the consistent theme of the Old Testament.