Command 41 : Await My Return | Day 286

Expect Persecution!

I walked onto the airplane, took my assigned seat, and buckled up. Then the flight attendant made what seemed to be an unusual request: "Would three of you please move to the other side of the plane?" As we were getting reseated I asked her the reason for the request. She explained that the airplane needed to be balanced and that we had too much weight on one side. If the safety of an airplane requires balance, how much more does accuracy of doctrine!

Truth out of balance leads to heresy.

As a young Christian I heard many sermons about the Second Coming of Christ. The emphasis in these messages was not how to get ready for it or how to have it as a purifying hope, but rather that Christians were to be fully assured that Christ's return would take place before the Great Tribulation spoken of in the Book of Revelation.

After listening to several such messages, I was left with the distinct impression that after we become believers we will no longer experience any tribulation or trials on earth. This conclusion was incorrect for many Biblical reasons. Jesus Himself spoke of trials and tribulations and how we are to rejoice in them. “... In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Persecution is a central part of God's plan for purification in the lives of believers. We see this clearly in Scripture: “... We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3-5).

Luke affirmed that kingdom living includes tribulation when he said, “... We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Paul wrote, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me" (Philippians 1:29-30). Furthermore, Paul stated, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12).

Anticipation of Christ's return should not be based on the fear of persecution but on the hope of living by the power of God.

Peter helps us recognize the value of suffering: “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin” (I Peter 4:1). What an amazing reward!

There is a further benefit in persecution. Often the very ones who persecute us are used by God to bring about the great purposes that He has planned for our lives. For example, Joseph's brothers persecuted him for dreaming that one day he would be a great leader. They put him in a pit and then sold him as a slave saying, “We shall see what will become of his dreams” (Genesis 37:20). As a result of their actions, Joseph was taken to Egypt where, after additional trials and hardships, he was eventually appointed to the second highest position in the land! No wonder Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you ... for my sake” (Matthew 5:11).

Are we ready to rejoice in persecution for Christ's sake, recognizing God's great purposes for it in our lives as we await and prepare for His return?