Persecution Bible Study - Part II

      I started this study on persecution early in September. You can read the first part here. I have since found out why the persecuted endure such suffernings. I'll continue my study now:

     While reading 2 Timothy 2:12,13 I looked up a reference which was Romans 8:17. That scripture says:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together."

     That  just solidified 2 Timothy 2:12,13 for me. I kept on reading and eventually got to verse 18 that says:

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

     I understand that to mean I should not be making a big deal about the atrocities, but make a big deal about the glory that will be revealed in them. Those that are being persecuted are probably not thinking much about this scripture while they're being tortured or beaten, but this is their inheritence nonetheless. The thinking of glorifying God is backwards to how the world is. All the world focuses on is what they can see, which leads me to my next meditation form verse 24, 25 that say:

"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

     They are patiently awaiting their hevenly reward of being with Jesus. They're also waiting for their great hevenly rewards. Joyce Meyer once said, "Don't wnat what we (many prosperous Christian leaders) have unless you're willing to go through what we went through to get it.Those persecuted Christians on earth are going to be some extremely happy spirits in heavenly eternity. I'm reminded of Revelations. There are crowns taht are promised those "that endure". All throughout the Bible heavenly rewards are mentioned. So this is what the persecuted Christians are hoping for. The scripture goes on, in verse 31, to say:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

     Now that I see that verse in context it bears more power, but there's still something missing for me.... (to be continued)

11:05 AM - Sep. 27, 2005 - post comment

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Persecution