Tribulation Principles
—Suffering explained
Times of Tribulation (Revelation 6-11) >Seven Seals >Excursus on time and suffering (2)
In our last lesson we started to look at the theme of tribulation that runs through the book of Revelation. This lesson continues that study.
I want to stress several principles that help us to understand and endure our own tribulations.
1 No respite is permanent
Just as "there was silence in heaven for half an hour" (Revelation 8:1), we may have times of respite from suffering, and we should enjoy these, as for example did the first Christians after they were persecuted (Acts 9:31).
But be prepared for new problems to arise and learn "the secret... both of having abundance and suffering need" (Philippians 4:11-14).
2 We may suffer in empathy
Sometimes we "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). John called himself "your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus" (Revelation 1:9).
You may be called upon to suffer not in your own pain, but as someone's companion in theirs.
3 We may suffer persecution
Jesus warns in the "Beatitudes" that we may be persecuted and reviled because of our allegiance to him (Matthew 5:10-12).
Yes, even members of our own family may turn against us (Matthew 10:34-39), or members of the church, albeit false brethren, may seek to cause us distress (Philippians 1:15-18).
John mentions those who were "slain for the testimony of Jesus" (Revelation 6:9) but there were also those who suffered persecution in other forms, for example discrimination in not being allowed to buy or sell (Revelation 13:17).
4 We must see the purpose in suffering
Jesus says, "I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, so you can become rich" (Revelation 3:18). Only by going through the fire of pain can we attain the glory of God.
By allowing us to suffer, God is removing the dross by the cross. Only by constantly coming up against difficult tests can our faith be made strong. When we understand that fact, we can react properly and "count it all joy" when we suffer various trials (James 1:2-4).
5 We must be in God’s hands
At the end of all the tribulations, John heard the multitude in heaven shouting, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!" (Revelation 19:1).
Jesus says, "Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me" (Revelation 22:12). When things get really bad, just hold on, because our God has got an outcome that nobody can change.
"What he opens, no one can shut; what he shuts, no one can open" (Revelation 3:7).
We must simply wait for him to turn the key. We will not be required to endure more than we are able to bear (1Corinthians 10:13).
God actively binds Satan. "God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear" (1Corinthians 10:13).
What may seem like two times or even ten times too much trouble to us, is only half what we'd get if God did not bind the hand of Satan even as he did for Job in ancient times
6 We must bear our trials through prayer
In John’s visions, he saw "bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8 Revelation 8:4).
Sometimes we get discouraged, and feel like those souls of the beheaded who cried, "How long, Lord?" (Revelation 6:10).
We don't know how long, but we know it's not as long as it seems. In the meantime we persevere in prayer.
7 We must keep in mind the crown
"Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). In the turmoil of life, and in its turning shadows, we are encouraged if we remember that the unchanging Father knows our suffering and our needs.
The King of Kings is fighting on our side, and he will not let us down (2Timothy 4:8, James 1:12).