Revelation – Lesson 18 (Various Scriptures)

 

Suffering

Suffering has been and will be a part of our lives until Jesus returns.  Suffering is a great mystery known only to God.  We know that God is just, wise and powerful.  All people suffer because we live in a fallen sinful world.  Suffering humbles us and benefits us.  Jesus promised that in this world, we would have trouble, but to take heart, because He has overcome the world.  We must trust God in our suffering; He has a plan that is ultimately leading to salvation.

Romans 8:18-25 gives us hope when we suffer.  Our sufferings cannot compare to the glories that will be revealed at some future time to saved believers.  Those endless glories must be incomprehensibly wonderful, satisfying, and meaningful.

Jesus suffered physically and well as great humiliation through betrayal, torture and then death on the cross.  God made Him to be sin; He was treated as sin itself for our sake.  He was sent by God to die for us. (Isaiah 53:10-11; Matthew 16:21; Acts 2:23; Romans 4:25)

Why do we suffer?  We suffer sometimes because we are disobedient to God.  Sometimes it’s a test of our faith.  Sometimes we need to be broken in order for God to build us up.  Sometimes it is to encourage others.  Sometimes it’s simply because we live in this evil world.  Suffering reminds us of our dependence on the Lord.  God allows suffering because He want us to be more like Christ, to fully rely on Him, and to see His glory on display.  We are children of God, His heirs; we share in His inheritance so we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. 

These passages tell us what suffering does for us:

Psalm 73:26-28 – when we suffer, we’re brought closer to God because we know He is our refuge.

Proverbs 3:11-12 – when we suffer, we know God loves us.

Romans 5:3-4 – we are to rejoice in suffering, because it produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 8:17 – we are heirs with Christ and will share in His glory, so we should share in His suffering.

Romans 8:28-30 – all things, even suffering, work together for good.

Philippians 3:8-9 – nothing else should compare to Christ; like Paul our single goal should be Christ.

Hebrews 5:8-9 – we learn obedience through suffering.

God equips His people for suffering which gives us hope:

Psalm 23 – God gives us great provisions and blessings.

Matthew 11:28-29 – when we are weary and burdened, God will give us rest.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – God is faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 – we should delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties; when we are weak Jesus makes us strong.

Hebrews 4:14-16 – we should have confidence in Jesus, because He can sympathize with our weaknesses.

Revelation 21:4 – one day there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.

Since God equips us in our suffering, we should:

John 15:12 – love one another as Jesus loves us.

1 Peter 4:12-19 – we should not be surprised when we suffer, but rejoice that we are participating in the suffering of Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 – He comforts us in our suffering and suffering produces patient endurance.

Principles:  

God equips His people for suffering.

God strengthening His people in their suffering.

God allows suffering because He want us to be more like Christ, to fully rely on Him, and to see His glory on display.

Next week we will study Revelation 14.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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