Will you start a Revolution? Part 4

When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach the gospel he gave them a strong warning that they would experience great trials and persecution. Among other statements, he did this not to scare them but to prepare them so when persecution came they where not surprised and it also confirmed that they where making an impact.

What kind of trials can I expect? 
Those who are close to you may disown you, criticise you or do things to hurt you because of your faith, you will experience ridicule from your friends and co-workers, some may even count down the days until you backslide, you will go through times when you feel alone in your struggle. You may even find those you love get sick or go through various trials too, Some of you will be arrested or fired for sharing your faith, some will even hate you because you follow Jesus with no compromise.

Jesus Our Example
Before the soldiers came to get Jesus in the garden he prayed “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”, when Peter tried to fight the soldiers he was stopped by Jesus who said, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Jesus knew what was to happen to him and he willingly submitted to the will of the father and decided to go the hard road and drink the cup of Gods wrath in order to pay for our sins.

Jesus did not hate those who crucified him, in fact he prayed “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. He said this because he knew they where being used by Satan for evil but God already had a plan to use the death as a payment for our sins. If it was not for Jesus we would all receive the cup of Gods wrath on judgement day but Jesus sacrificed his life for us!!! He did not run away he faced his trial head on. The bible says “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Our Trials
When you start making a stand like Jesus, you will definitely come under fiery trials. This can be the point when you get tempted to give up and pray for your cup of suffering to pass but we must not see trials as a reason to give up, instead we must see it as an opportunity for God to work something for Good.

I am not saying we are to pray for suffering to come upon us, but I am saying we should not be afraid of going through our trials. We should embrace trials and rejoice because its a blessing even though it does not look like a blessing. We are to trust God will look after us and work it all for good.

Jesus says “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” Matthew 5:10-12

What is to come?
“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendour of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

This will be a great time of trial for every Christian in the world as Christianity will become illegal. (you can find out more in the “setting the stage series” coming soon) But ultimately Jesus will win so we should not fear what is to come.

In Jesus last words before sending his disciples out he said “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:28-29

So fear not and have faith that you will not die unless its Gods will that he takes you home [heaven].

Why Rejoice?
Jesus rose from the dead and paid the cost for our souls so we WILL have a living hope that can never be stolen, get corrupted or fade away.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 8

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Romans 5:1-6.

So in the time of trials find a song and sing in inexpressible Joy with all your heart mind and soul! I recommend searching for the song “His eye is on the Sparrow” It has been a help for me as I struggled to find words to sing to the lord.

No More Drama?
So this is the end of the revolution series and I want to say that yes you will still go through drama in the form of trials as I said in this post but the drama will end. When Jesus returns and defeats the enemy, there will be a new heaven and earth and the corruption will be gone forever, our bodies will be incorruptible we will never die or get sick, here is a portion of scripture that describes what it will be like.

Revelations 21:1-7
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.