THE HOPE OF OUR SUFFERING

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we will also be glorified with Him.

(Rom 8:16-17 NASB)

Life is difficult! Life is even more difficult if we pursue righteousness, for ‘indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,’ (2 Tim 3:12). We have established this principal truth – ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God,’ thus, ‘we strengthen the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith,’ (Acts 14:22). If we firmly establish this principle, we can now set our hope on our eternal inheritance, namely the promises of the Covenant we receive in Christ Jesus our Lord, for in Him we partake of the age to come, (Eph 1:18-23).

Our suffering and hardship is but for a moment in time, and no matter how severe or how intense it may be, even if it may require of us to lay down our lives for the Gospel of the Kingdom, any particular moment of suffering can never outweigh the hope of our inheritance, (2 Cor 4:16-18). This age, and the difficulties we encounter due to the curse of futility on it (Rom 8:20-21), cannot compare to the glory of the age of the Kingdom of Messiah! THIS IS OUR HOPE!

‘It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;

If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

If we are faithless, He remains faithful;

for He cannot deny Himself.’

(2 Tim 2:11-13)

Let us secure this statement: Nothing we suffer in this life can outweigh the glory of our future inheritance. We do not live without a goal. The Kingdom of our God is not to be compared with anything we perceive on earth. It is altogether glorious and powerful – YET, it is not now visible to the world kingdoms of this age. The glory of the Kingdom, which is our inheritance, will soon be revealed (unveiled) with the revelation of the glory of our coming King – Jesus Christ! This revelation or unveiling will be the most spectacular event of this present age, and no other event can ever share in its glory!

Not only will the kings of the earth bow their knee before the glory of Messiah, but they will also submit to its dominion, (Dan 2:44-45; Dan 7:26-28; Zech 14:4-9, 16-210. In fact, the revelation of the glory of our King will not only also usher in the revelation of the glory of His Kingdom (Rev 11:15-18), but it will also reveal the glory of “the sons of God.”

The apostle Paul states in the epistle to the Romans, ‘For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God,’ (Rom 8:18-19). Let’s consider this statement for a moment. Paul is indicating that ALL OF CREATION is in anxiety, longing, and eagerly waiting for the revelation of the glory of those who will inherit eternal, glorified bodies!

What will “the sons of God” inherit on this climactic moment in time? Not only a glorified Kingdom, but also glorified bodies! Eternal, glorified bodies which will NEVER be subjected to futility again, (Rom 8:23; 1 Cor 15; 1 Thes 4:13-18). Let us anchor this climactic event in time, for it will always remain the HOPE of our inheritance.

‘When Christ, who is our life, is revealed,

then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.’

(Col 3:4)