Jesus instructed his disciples to expect persecution and affliction ("tribulation") in the near future and in the far future near the time of His return.
Aligning with Jesus will bring conflict and adversity: 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 and a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'" 37 Matthew 10:34-37
Jesus prepared his disciples: "16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues." Matthew 10:16-17
Jesus warned them of the severity of the conflict they will face: 21 "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake." Matthew 10:21-22
Jesus reminded his disciples to put their trust in God: "28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:28-31
All this was what the disciples would face in their lifetime, but it can be the expectation of all believers in their own times.
There are similar expectations in the far future, near the coming of Christ, though the threat and intensity of persecution will increase as society becomes more opposed to the knowledge of God.
Jesus instructed his disciples on how it will be near the time of the end: 9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 24:9-13
Jesus speaking of that great affliction to come, says, "21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." Matthew 24:21-22
But even during that time to come, the believer can still trust God with the same understanding, that "the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." The numbering of the hairs of your head is really a figure of speech, saying God has you: you are fully accounted for--nothing can separate you from God.
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
No comments:
Post a Comment