Hebrews 11:35-40
Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
What do you expect as a stamp of approval that you are pleasing God? How do you expect God to reward you for being a man or woman of faith? Maybe a promotion or raise? Maybe kids getting academic awards at school or the best scholarships? How about a car that doesn't break down? Maybe your house sells as soon as you list it with a bidding war. Maybe we expect a spouse or children that never stray. Certainly God would stop the rain on our outdoor party. Our family should be cancer proof and free of Alzheimers - shouldn't they? This is the way we think and quite often, this is the way we are taught. Because of this, when things go sideways we are left questioning God's love for us or even if He is real.
The Bible teaches us something else. When you read through the history books in the Bible you see kings like Asa making great reforms and combatting idolatry in the kingdom followed by Baasha coming against him. Josiah brought about revival in the land and then King Neco from Egypt came into his land. Then you look at the disciples - what was their stamp of approval for leaving everything to follow Christ? Every single one went through persecution from being skinned alive, beaten to death, beheaded, killed with a sword, crucified, boiled in oil and other atrocities. What did Jesus promise the disciples who left everything to follow him?
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10:28-30
So there you have it. We are going to be blessed far surpassing what we would have experienced if we hadn't followed Christ. But, we are going to experience persecutions too. That is promised. However, Paul talks about the "fellowship of His sufferings" so in the midst of those Christ will meet us in a way that would have been otherwise impossible and that will make it worth it. Also we will in some way receive a better resurrection which means to me... who knows? Since we were just at Disney, maybe a fast pass to see Christ? Haha. I don't know but it's going to be something good!
Besides blessings on Earth and persecutions, the disciples received Eternal life. The persecutions talked about in Hebrews 11 and the martyrdom of the disciples were their immediate gateway to eternal bliss where there will be no more death and suffering. Maybe those bad things actually are good things. We need to think with a Heavenly perspective rather than an Earthly one which once again is what true faith entails.
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