Revelation 14:12 - This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
My attention always peaks when I read the word endurance in scripture. I remember reading John Piper's book, Stand. The book speaks to the challenge all Christians have to endure and continually build strength to stand strong and faithful in our walks with Christ while finishing strong for God.
One can only imagine what courage, strength, wisdom, peace and comfort this passage will give the embattled, persecuted saints during the Great Tribulation. God obviously wants to encourage His people to stand strong and to be steadfast in times of trial. Focused on what blessings wait for them ahead and reward in eternity.
But what if we ask ourselves - do we have the endurance to finish the race in today society and its struggles? These times are not even cmparable to the struggles of End Times, So many must answer, no. How much greater effort would any American Christian have to put forth to even begin an apprenticeship much less to qualify for a saint of our Holy Father? It is a fantastic dilemma for many....
Very true. It is so relatively easy to be a Christian in the US today. We are not persecuted or hated nor do we face any consequences for our faith. It is hard to even imagine the challenges faced by some and that are going to be faced by those who endure through the great tribulation. We need to make sure that we handle the challenges put in our path by God in a christ like manner and remember those that don't have it so easy.
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