Ending with Revelation... led to thoughts of... suffering... endurance...
This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.
Revelation 13:10 NLT
This means that God's holy people must endure
persecution patiently, obeying his commands
and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
Revelation 14:12 NLT
Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!
Revelation 14:13 NLT
Suffering... endurance... it's required... in these end times...
Thoughts turned to a startling passage heard recently in an audio-book...
A man I know was one of the few doctors who specialized in his area in Ethiopia at a time when Christians were often persecuted there. Because of his medical specialty, he was well-known and carefully watched and sometimes privileged. Because of his faith, he was in prison several times. The small church he was part of was vibrant. They shared everything. When they gathered for worship, with shades drawn, their joy was intense. Their knowledge of the details of each others' lives was far deeper than I have seen in any churches I know of in the United States. They lived in constant danger of arrest. There was no such thing in their world as a nominal Christian; that would be like becoming a nominal chain saw juggler. ...
I talked with this doctor about the government. I said that he must pray often for the persecution and suffering to stop. He asked me with no apparent irony, "Why should I pray to be relieved of suffering?" I could not think of a good answer.
--- John Ortberg, Who Is This Man? (emphasis added)Suffering... endurance... is it to be... embraced... welcomed...?
The Greek... hupomone... translated... endure persecution patiently... means... steadfastness... constancy... in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings...
This word (hupomone) also found in...
And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent the honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently (hupomone) produce a huge harvest.
Luke 8:15 NLT
By standing firm (hupomone), you will win your souls.
Luke 21:19 NLT
He will give eternal life to those who keep on (hupomone)
doing good, seeking after the glory and honor
and immortality that God offers.
Romans 2:7 NLT
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance (hupomone).
Romans 5:3 NLT
Endurance... suffering... produces a huge harvest... wins your soul... gains eternal life... enables us to receive trials with joy...
Endurance... suffering... it is necessary... to spiritual growth... but to receive it... embrace it... with joy... that is a world-view shift... counter to culture... upside down... from the way of the world...
As I anticipate the journey... into the next year... with a heart to keep the Babe in the manger at the center... I see where the revelation of His vulnerability... leads to the acceptance... of suffering... and... endurance...
A son asked me today... about a physical state... one I've suffered with for three years now... and most likely will endure as long as I inhabit this earthly tent...
Is it easier... than it was...?
Honestly... I had to reply... No... it's harder... it's wearing...
And I see where I need to change my thoughts about this physical challenge... as minimal as it is compared to the challenges of so many of others... I still whine... on occasion...
So endurance... suffering... of any kind... should be seen as a gift... and reminders set in place... in order to remember... for those who endure... it all leads to good... and His glory...
A world-view shift... for the new year... Why should I pray to be relieved of suffering?
For even Christ didn't live to please himself.
...
And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement
as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.
Romans 15:3-4 NLT
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