“Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:33-35 (NIV)
Trials, tribulations, turmoil all seem a part of life. Those who teach the gospel throughout the world are certainly not exempt from this. Indeed, there are many places in the world where worshipping Jesus Christ may result in torture, death, and loss of everything this earth offers. This is not new to our generation. This has been the story throughout the ages as God drew to Himself a people who would worship Him, a people to be His own. Our journey through a world broken and ravaged by pride, self-exaltation, and all the sins of a humanity where each person desires to be “god” in their own life; certainly will be filled with trials. Particularly, those trials will be greater for those who seek after God. The humble servant’s heart that would serve God in a sense goes completely against human nature. It is no wonder that the message of Salvation by Grace Alone is a message hated by pride filled men and women.
For Daniel all of the prophecies in Daniel 11 are futuristic. For those of us who can now read the book of Daniel, we see that some of the prophecies where fulfilled with great detail as I pointed out last Wednesday in How Can I Know the Bible is Really True?
Beginning with verse 36, the prophesy written by Daniel begins to describe the Antichrist and the tribulation times. However, I want to pause and look at verses 33-35. In these three verses there are rich truths which are so relative for you and I. These verses seem to be a transitional time between what has already occurred and that which is to come.
OUR WORLD TODAY
For those of my readers who live in the United States, for now we mostly do not have to worry about being imprisoned or killed for proclaiming the name of Christ. Although, those tragedies are beginning to occur here as well. More and more we are being “persuaded” not to stand for what we know is true for fear of being “politically incorrect” as our religious freedoms are being taken away. Some of my readers from other countries live in a daily reality that they may be tortured and killed for their faith. My heart goes out for them. Their courage and faith should be a reminder for the rest of us to wake up before all of our freedoms are gone as well. For those of us in the Eastern world, the threat is subtler; but, ever so real! We have allowed ourselves to be lulled into a sense of security and in this we are allowing our own hearts to compromise the truth.
TWO IMPORTANT TRUTHS WHEN FACING TRIALS
For all of us who proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are in a journey that is filled with storms and trials. We, therefore, must be diligent in our seeking the truth of God. We must stand firm in this Spiritual Battle, knowing these truths.
1. Within the trials, we are being purified so that we might one day fully know the precious Joy of being forever in the presence of our King. Some of the wise (those who know God and are in a relationship with Him through knowing Christ as Savior) will stumble (may fall down, stumble along the way, face fiery trials, tribulations or even be killed for their faith), so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: I Peter 1:6-8
2. There is coming an end to all the suffering and the trials. “until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.” There will be an end. As certain as the prophecies that were already fulfilled, God has appointed a time for the end of all suffering. For all those of us who know Christ as our Savior, it is only the beginning of an eternity in the presence of God. In His presence is joy, glory, and love greater than anything we could have ever hoped for.
[bctt tweet=”Today’s sorrows are brief compared to an eternity in the presence of perfect love, joy and Glory.” username=”effiedarlene”]
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. I Peter 4:12-13
[tweetthis]My trials today are preparing me for eternal Joy when I see Jesus![/tweetthis]
Three truths I have learned through a lifetime filled with unexpected storms is:
[tweetthis]Every trial, tear, and sorrow has been a stepping stone to finding Joy![/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”God is my greatest treasure! The only way to God is by accepting Jesus as Savior!” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”We in America must awaken and stand for truth before all our religious freedoms are gone!” username=”effiedarlene”]
Photo used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@albertorestifo
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.