A View Into The Three Heavens
In the hundreds of times the word "heaven" is used in the Bible, it may refer to one of three major realms:
(1)
The atmospheric heaven. This is the blanket of air which surrounds
the earth, extending about twenty miles above the earth.
(2)
The celestial heaven. This is the sphere in which the sun and moon
and the stars appear "the lights in the firmament of the heaven to
divide the day from the night" (Genesis 1:14).
(3)
The heaven of heavens. This "third heaven" is evidently the abode of
God. While fully acknowledging the omnipresence of God, whereby He
fills heaven and earth (Jeremiah 23:23) and there is no possibility for
anyone to flee from His presence (Psalm 139:7-10) because He is
everywhere, the Bible teaches that this heaven has been God's dwelling
place and throne ever since it was created.
Apostle
John was given a glimpse of the throne in heaven and the One who sat
upon it. In the magnificent description he gives of this experience in
Revelation , we see celestial beings, not resting day and night,
saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is
to come).Luke records Christ's ascension into heaven (Acts:8-11).
Hebrews 10:12-13 gives us the picture of Christ in Heaven today.
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For the purposes of this study, Biblical teachings on differences in
heaven are divided into six different categories as follows:
(1) Rewards which repay many times over for losses or sufferings we endure because of Christ.
(2) Rewards or treasures for good deed a and sacrificial service.
(3) Varying amounts of authority or rule based on our faithfulness.
(4) Greatness in heaven based on humility, servant spirit, and obedience.
(5) Place of honor based on purity.
(6) Mercy received based on mercy given.
Note in each category how faith in God as a rewarded would make very practical differences in our lives.
(1) Rewards for Sufferings or Losses:
God promises to repay us many times over for our losses, sufferings, persecutions, or sacrifices caused by our loyalty to Christ.
Jesus Said: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matthew 5:10-12).
The nature of these rewards is not revealed. It is clear ; however, that that are so wonderful that they should cause great rejoicing.
How do you feel when people insult you, persecute you, lie about you, and speak evil of you because of your Christian stand? The Bible says we should rejoice because our reward in heaven is great (Matthew 5:12).
In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus promises a hundredfold return in this life pluses eternal blessing if we give up home, loved ones, or property for him.
This is why a Christian can't lose.
In addition to rewards for losses or persecution, there are rewards for service to others. Jesus considered heavenly treasures much more valuable and, therefore, said:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21).
There are many types of gifts, deeds, and services which produce rewards. Here are just a few:
(1) Leading others to righteousness. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).
(2) Helping the needy. "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth" (Luke 12:33). He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again" (Proverbs 19:17).
(3) Rendering Christian hospitality. "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward". (Matthew 10:41-42).
(4) Faithfully Serving Earthly Masters or Employers as unto the Lord. "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as menpleasers, but as the servents of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free" (Ephesians 6:5-8).
The Bible makes it clear that it is not the actual amount of the service or gift that counts. God considers the ability to give or the cost to the giver. For example, Jesus said the widow's mite was larger than the gifts of the rich. "For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had". (Luke 21:4).
David applied this principle when Araunah offered to give him a threshing floor and oxen to sacrifice to God.
And the King said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price : neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing( 2 Samuel 24:24 ).
David realized that the offering would be worthless if it cost him nothing. It's not the amount of the gift or service but the sacrifice to the giver that counts.
Differences in Heaven point # 3 of 6. will be covered in road trip # 5 to be posted.
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Note that it is not what you accomplish, but your faithfulness that is important. For example, suppose you hire two men to move dirt. You furnish one bulldozer and the other a shovel. We assume the first would move more dirt than the latter: This would not necessarily mean he was more faithful.
Jesus said, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:48). Remember, it is faithfulness to our calling that counts. If a person is called to be a Christian wife and mother, there is no higher calling. The important thing is how faithful we are to our own calling.
But do not be discouraged if God does not call you to a public ministry. On the other hand, do not excuse your failure to what you can because you cannot do as much as others.
(1) Humility and servant's attitude. These are high on Jesus priority list. Time after time He tried to get His disciples to completely transform their ideas of greatness. He said:
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4). But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (Matthew 23:11-12). But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all (Mark 9:34-35).
And there was also. a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And He said into them, The Kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve (Luke 22:24-26). Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19).
The disciples probably agreed with Jesus intellectually but didn't apply it to themselves. At the last supper they were apparently waiting for someone "beneath" them to wash their feet. Perhaps they got the message when Jesus did this lowly job Himself. "One reason humility is so important to Jesus is that its absence caused the most traumatic experience ever to take place in heaven." Remember that pride was the sin that caused the devil to fall ( 1 Timothy 3:6 )
Satan's desire to be exalted apparently caused the original rebellion in heaven for which he was thrown out. In contrast, Christ, the supreme example of a servant attitude, was greatly exalted because, although He existed in the form of God, He thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross.
(2) Keeping and teaching the least commandments. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said some would be called least and some would be called great in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew5:19). Jesus gave two test to enable you to determine which group you will be in. First, do you keep the least commandments yourself? Second, do you teach others to do so?
Why does Jesus also specify that obedience to the least commandments is important (Matthew 5:19)? Obviously, if we continue to disobey the big commandments, we won't be in heaven at all. Although we are not saved by obeying the commandments, we are saved by a faith which leads us to want to obey the Author of those commandments. It is obedience to the least commandments-----the things we often consider petty, unimportant, or picky-----that determines greatness. This degree of obedience is proof of a deeper faith in God. And remember, not only is obedience to these commandments important, but also, teaching them to others.
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While we are here on this earth, we are constantly working and wanting to be noticed as an important person. In High School most guys wanted to be the star of the Football Team or Basketball Team. Some of us wanted to be part of anything that big and supported by the majority, until we found out there was nothing for us to gain at the end. In reality we are always in trading for something better and bigger. Servicemen go through a similar experience in basic training. Some are eliminated entirely. The ones that remain are tested to determine the kind of duty they are best suited for. They are trained to function better and work as a team, and follow the chain of command. So we may thank of earth as a training camp for heaven.
Selection of God's Team:
God separates all men into two groups as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The chosen go to the Kingdom prepared from the creation of the world and the rest to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:31-46). The basis of the choice is grace on God's part and faith on our part.
Determine Our Position:
Second, God determines what our position in heaven will be. The way we train and prepare ourselves will also be a factor.
Training for Heaven:
Third, earth is used as a place to train ourselves to be the best possible members of God's team. This is where so many Christians fail. How many people in your curh train as hard to be a better Christian as guys on a football team to be a better football player? Yet, Paul said spiritual training is much more important ( 1 Timothy 4:7-8 )
According to Paul, there are two Times when we benefit from Godly training. The rest of the time, it doesn't make any difference. Exercise "train" thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise"physical training" profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come ( 1Timothy 4:7-8).
Paul says the two times when spiritual training benefits us are in this life and in the life to come. Much has been written on how a godly life is the most meaningful, fulfilling life possible in the here and now. Spiritual trading also benefits us in the life to come. We are not told how the training we receive in this life will carry forward to the next, but simply that training will be of value.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach (1Timothy 4:9-11). Paul also compares physical with spiritual training in Corinthians (9:24-27):
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I , not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body,and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Here again we see that spiritual training is of great importance because of the eternal consequences (verse 25). Yet, most church members fail to train spiritually and diligently as they should. Paul worked in order that he wouldn't be disqualified a "castaway". (verse 27). Paul was not concerned about losing his salvation. Paul was training so he wouldn't be disqualified for service. Like Paul we should be conscious of training for the future, and be aware of the importance of the race we are running now. So like Paul we are "training". and. "on the job". Therefore, we can think of life on earth as. " on the job training".
Some might wonder how we should divide our time between training for heaven and do our job down here. There should not be a conflict. The two go together. The best way we can prepare for eternity is to be faithful in our present assignments. We can be certain God has the wisdom to include in our training course just what is best for the assignment we will have in eternity. Therefore, as we prepare to do God's will effectively now, we are preparing for heaven. And remember, Jesus said, "And that servant, which knew his lord's will and prepare not himself neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes" (Luke 12:47; emphasis mine). Since we can't lmagine literal whippings in heaven, we must assume that Jesus is speaking of less rewards. This is indicated in the preceding verses which say:
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comet shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. (Luke 12:42-44).
Wherefore seeing w also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easy beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We are exhorted to lay aside every weight or encumbrance and sin in order to run the race. That means anything that slows us down in the race set before us is wrong for us. Hebrews 12:1 refers to the "great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.". These are the Heroes of faith of Chapter 11 who, as we have seen, made great sacrifices in this life because they were considering the eternal consequences, as is indicated by such phrases as, "for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward". (11:26 and that they might obtain a better resurrection". (11:35.
Because of these witnesses, we are to put aside anything, however good it might be, if it slows us down. There is a difference of opinion about whether the "cloud of witnesses" means that the hero's of faith are currently watching us run our race.
What would be the message of the saints of the Bible, or perhaps, of our loved one who have gone on, if they saw us running our race? Would they say, "Quit fooling around. Quit majoring on minors. Or, in Bible language, "Lay aside every weight (encumbrance), and sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience (endurance) the race that is set before us". (Hebrews 12:1). If we take the "witnesses" of this passage to be those who have witnessed to us, the message is the same. Get busy about things that are of eternal significance! If we fail to get involved, failed to put fourth our best effort, we would be unacceptable.
Jesus made this point in the parable of the talents were He used the word "wicked". This is such a hard word that Jesus seldom used it in reference to humans. He used it often when referring to Satan. What awful crime was committed in order to make the loving Jesus called wicked did not do one single thing bad. He had a talent and he buried it. The reason he buried it was the same reason we bury ours, he was afraid. (Matthew 25:25).
His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant.....cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:26,30).
From Trial To Perfection
In this next section we will refer to our temporary bodies as our test vehicle and the ultimate vehicle representing the glorified body. If we pass the test in our test vehicle we will receive this glorified, supernatural body. While we are in our test vehicle, we not only decide where we will spend enter unity, but we determine the quality of our eternal existence. Now let us turn to examine our test vehicle, the temporary body, and see how we can best use the time we spend in it.
First, realize that man is not just a machine called a body. Instead of being a body we have a body. This body includes a brain. In ll Corinthians 5:1-10, Paul compares our body to a tent which we long to put aside in order to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. He desired to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Paul said, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels"( II Corinthians 4:7. Peter also wrote of laying aside his earthly dwelling ( II Peter:13-14).
The real "I" dwells in a body which will someday be exchanged for a new glorified body. In the meantime, our present body is the "machine" we use in our "on the job training.". Perhaps the eternal view could help us get a more accurate self image. Failure to see this present life in perspective leads some to be overly concerned about faults of the temporary body, yet leads others to think more highly of themselves than they ought. (Romans 12:3)
Let's look at it this way; The key in each case is how well we perform with what we have to work with and do we learn and grow spiritually each day. Some people have better bodies, better brains, better opportunities than others. This should cause no pride among the "haves" nor sorrow among the "have-nots.". All Christians will get infinitely superior bodies later on. Be diligent, however, to get full benefit out of the body and opportunities God gave you. It is not always possible for us to determine whether poor behavior is caused by a poor body or a poor spirit. Perhaps this is one reason Jesus did not assign the job of judging to us.
We may accept to lightly, excuse, or rationalize faults of the spirit. We are responsible for yielding to God's will rather than ours when we have a choice. Also, we are responsible for growing in spiritual knowledge. Failure in either instance does have eternal significance and should not lead us to accept our actions as "just human nature.". We must also remember that we are commanded to "be filled with the spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) and Jesus said the disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit had come upon them (Acts 1:8). Since the power of the Holy Spirit is now available to all Christians, we will not be excused because we are unable to perform Christian service in our own strength. We were never meant to.
People who beg to be excused from Christian service because they are untrained will face the question, Why? When classics of the faith are available in paperback for a few dollars, there is no excuse for anyone who can read not to be a well-trained servant of the Lord. There is no excuse for failure to follow the Biblical command to:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth (II Timothy 2:15). Since about nine -tenths of what we do results from the subconsciously, it is important that we study and teach ourselves, so that even our subconscious reactions will be correct. We do this by meditating on the Word of God , day and night
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8).
"Amen and may God bless the USA in 2013"
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Let's see how Paul felt about earthly life compared to eternity. He said:
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18). To get this verse in context, Paul was comparing the sufferings of this life to the pain of childbirth. Which is of greater concern to a parent during childbirth-----the immediate comfort of the emerging infant or his coming whole and healthy? God sees the time spent in this life compared to eternity as infinitely less than time spent in labor compared to the remainder of life on earth. He is therefore not as concerned with our comfort in this life as He is with our de elopment into sons of God. That is way He could inspire James to write:
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (Jame1:2-4). Let's say you have heart problems, and you end up in at the Hospital for just a little while. You hold on to your wife or husbands hand, but you understand that the pain the other is going through is sometimes necessary. Paul expressed this temporary affliction as follows:
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
(2 Corinthians 4:17). Compared to eternity, Paul saw his affliction as momentary and light. In the same letter he described some of his afflictions:
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in tastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which comet upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? (2 Corinthians 11:24-29). You can see that only with an eternal viewpoint could these afflictions be considered light. We must realize that this earth is not our real world. Accordingly, Paul wept for those. "who set their minds on earthly things."
For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned liked unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself (Philippians 3:19-21).
Jesus demonstrated how a different point of view can radically change our assessment of a situation in His comments about the churches at Smyrna and Laodicea. To the former, He said, "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)" (Revelation 2:9). To the church at Laodicea He said, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). The world saw the church at Smyrna in the midst of tribulation and poverty, but Jesus saw them as rich. The Laodiceans thought they were rich but Jesus saw them as bankrupt. Which situation would you rather be in? When we are tempted to doubt God's love, we must remember that it is the ages to come, not here, that the riches of God's grace will be manifest. Paul specifically states this in the following:
And hath twice us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6-7)
It is in the ages to come, not in this life, that we will experience the fullness of God's grace. Many parts of the Bible do not make sense unless we see them from God's point of view instead of man's. An example is found in the Book of Job.
Job 1:2-3 describes the wealth which Job had and later lost. Job 42:10 records that God restored to Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:12-13 gives the results of this restoration. I'll let you do the math; however remember to look at it with a Eternal View to really understand it. God's math agrees with ours until we get to the sons and daughters. How do we explain this? From God's point of view, the 7,000 sheep ceased to exist when they died. Fourteen thousand new sheep were required to replace them. The sons and daughters who died were more alive than ever, however: God could see them happy in heaven. Job needed a total of 14 sons and 6 daughters in order to have twice as many as before. The 7 new sons and 3 new daughters, added to the ones now in heaven, gave him this total. From God's timeless point of view, he saw the entire family united in heaven through all eternity. The brief period of separation was insignificant in comparison.
There is no evidence that God told Job that part of the promise would be fulfilled in this life and part in eternity. If Job had thought only in terms of this life he would have thought God had not kept all of His promise. people today often think that all of God's promises for deliverance, healing, etc, will be fulfilled in this life if we have enough faith. This is not so. God sometimes gives partial fulfillment as He did in the case of Job, but most of His promises are for eternity. Don't be confused because many of the promises of the Bible are in the present or past tense. Time means nothing to God. God sees things in the present tense although, from our point of view, they are still future. Paul said that God calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17). In addition to considering the brevity of any suffering compared to eternity, an eternal view should also lead us to appreciate the training value of hardship.
Only God knows what place of service we will have in heaven. Therefore, only God knows the kind of training we need down here. We do not always know how suffering fits in but we can be assured that God knows. Paul said, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:3-4. This does not mean that we purposely bring suffering upon ourselves for no reason, or that we do not act with compassion to help alleviate the suffering of others. However, when suffering is unavoidable or necessary to accomplish a higher purpose, we should rejoice in it. We may still wonder why a loving God permits suffering at all, however brief it might be compare to eternity. We therefore consider the causes of suffering in the next Bible Road trip.
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We will consider suffering under two heading:
Suffering Directly From God and Suffering Indirectly From God
1. Suffering Directly From God,
Many of us have the feeling that if God were perfectly just, He would find a way to be fair to those who trust Him. We are all aware that some Christians seem to suffer so much more than others. A just God should compensate for this. The point that I'm making is that God will do that. He will do much more than make up for all our sufferings in heaven. Justice will be done. Those who deserve the most will get the most.
All who get to heaven get much more than they deserve, but those who deserve more will get proportionately that much more than they deserve. A loving God may directly bring about suffering for the purpose of judgment, discipline, or training. The following passages emphasize that it is because of love that God chastens His own. The word "chasten" in the passages quoted below translated "discipline" "punish" and "train" in other translations.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent
(Revelation 3:19).
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby (Hebrews 12:5-11).
We see that chastening is an evidence of our relationship with God. Christians often wonder why their non-Christian friends can seem to sin and get away with it. I used to wonder how some of my friends could have fun sinning and I couldn't. I knew the Bible said there was pleasure in sin for a season but I couldn't enjoy it even for the season. If I didn't get caught from without, I would get caught from within. The reason; God isn't going to let his own enjoy sinning.
God may also need to remove things in our lives which take time and energy from God-given tasks. Jesus said, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more" fruit (John 15:2). We have been speaking about God's dealings with his own, but what about the judgment of those who are not His? Much of their present misery results from the fallen world and themselves. Of course, the greatest judgment will be in the life to come. Perhaps the main reason for judgment, of non-Christians in the present life is for an example as in the following passage:
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1Corinthians 10:6-110).
Suffering Indirectly From God
Much of the pain and suffering is the natural result of a fallen world and is not due to a direct act of God at the time. We often blame God for things He did not do. We ask such questions as, "Why did God do this?" When it is not God at all. James speaks of blaming God for things He is not directly responsible for in the following passage:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:12-17).
James also said:
From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon lusts (James4:1-3
We see that good things come from God and evil results from lust and sin. God told Jeremiah, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).
Much suffering is directly caused by sin, Proverbs contains numerous verses contrasting the good that comes from godly life with the evil that results from sin. Suffering is brought about by the sin of man or a result of a sinful world. It's not just man that is cursed, but the entire world was cursed (Genesis 3:16-19; 5:29). In God's time we are only here a moment to make a choice. That choice being; to die in the sin we enter this world in, or trust God and seek Salvation in Christ. We can not tell where our bad experience is caused by God for chastening or a result of this sinful world.
Response To Suffering
As Apostle Paul said, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28)
The following steps have been offered to be used as suggestions for response to suffering. "suggested by C. S. Lewis, and M. A. Rice."
1. Make Sure of Your Salvation.
2. Check Your Life for Sin.
3. Recognize That Suffering Test our Faith.
4. Discover Ways to use Your Predicament as a Growing and Learning Experience.
5. Share our Comfort With Others.
6. Humble Ourselves and Depend Completely on Christ.
7. Recognize That no Temptation Will be too Great.
8. Pray.
9. Recognize the Brevity of Life and see Suffering in its Eternal Context.
10. Rejoice
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. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, foe the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified (1 Peter 4:12-13).
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A Walk Through Our Rewards In Heaven
Rewarded for Our Works:
Oddly enough,we are told very little more than this; that we
are to be present with the Lord, from the time we go to heaven by death
until the time of resurrection and we stand in our resurrection bodies
before Christ to be judged for how we have lived as Christians.
Speaking to believers , Apostle Paul told them: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he
hath done, whether it be good or bad" ( 2 Corinthians 5:10).
The purpose of our being judged by Christ is not for him to judge
or condemn us for our sins, because our sins were judged at the cross
when He died in our place. Here we are judged for our service for Him
during the time we live on earth as Christians. Paul, writing as he
often did in the analogy of an athletic contest, saw the faithful
Christian rewarded with incorruptible crowns for running the race of
life well.
How You Live Now Will Make A Difference:
The Bible leaves no room to doubt that we will be judged by our deeds
and how we live our Christian lives will make a difference in our
eternal rewards. But don't confuse the judgment of works, which
determines our rewards, with the judgment of faith, which determines our
salvation. Comparing the two should be helpful.
Saved By Faith:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians
2:8-9).
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5).
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28).
Rewards For Works:
And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12).
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his
angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
(Matthew 16:27).
Who will render to every man according to his deeds. (Romans 2:6).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Do, however, be sure of your salvation by grace before considering eternal rewards in heaven.
If we accept what Christ did for us, God declares us "not guilty.". That
is why, when we put our faith in Christ, we have accepted the gift of
salvation from God and we are saved. "by grace through faith.". It is by
grace because we did not deserve it. It is through faith because we
believed and accepted.
Not just our eternal rewards,but remember that we also receive blessings as Christians in this life.
These blessings may come from either God, men , or the natural result of good living.
In (Luke 14:12-14); Jesus teaches us that we should not show kindness
to others for the sake of being rewarded in kind in this life; we can
leave such rewards up to Christ at the resurrection.
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Differences in Heaven
(1) Rewards which repay many times over for losses or sufferings we endure because of Christ.
(2) Rewards or treasures for good deed a and sacrificial service.
(3) Varying amounts of authority or rule based on our faithfulness.
(4) Greatness in heaven based on humility, servant spirit, and obedience.
(5) Place of honor based on purity.
(6) Mercy received based on mercy given.
Note in each category how faith in God as a rewarded would make very practical differences in our lives.
(1) Rewards for Sufferings or Losses:
God promises to repay us many times over for our losses, sufferings, persecutions, or sacrifices caused by our loyalty to Christ.
Jesus Said: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matthew 5:10-12).
The nature of these rewards is not revealed. It is clear ; however, that that are so wonderful that they should cause great rejoicing.
How do you feel when people insult you, persecute you, lie about you, and speak evil of you because of your Christian stand? The Bible says we should rejoice because our reward in heaven is great (Matthew 5:12).
In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus promises a hundredfold return in this life pluses eternal blessing if we give up home, loved ones, or property for him.
This is why a Christian can't lose.
Differences in Heaven
(2). Rewards or Treasures for Good Deeds and and Sacrificial Service
In addition to rewards for losses or persecution, there are rewards for service to others. Jesus considered heavenly treasures much more valuable and, therefore, said:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21).
There are many types of gifts, deeds, and services which produce rewards. Here are just a few:
(1) Leading others to righteousness. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).
(2) Helping the needy. "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth" (Luke 12:33). He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again" (Proverbs 19:17).
(3) Rendering Christian hospitality. "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward". (Matthew 10:41-42).
(4) Faithfully Serving Earthly Masters or Employers as unto the Lord. "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as menpleasers, but as the servents of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free" (Ephesians 6:5-8).
The Bible makes it clear that it is not the actual amount of the service or gift that counts. God considers the ability to give or the cost to the giver. For example, Jesus said the widow's mite was larger than the gifts of the rich. "For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had". (Luke 21:4).
David applied this principle when Araunah offered to give him a threshing floor and oxen to sacrifice to God.
And the King said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price : neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing( 2 Samuel 24:24 ).
David realized that the offering would be worthless if it cost him nothing. It's not the amount of the gift or service but the sacrifice to the giver that counts.
Differences in Heaven point # 3 of 6. will be covered in road trip # 5 to be posted.
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Authority Based on Faithfulness
In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and the parable of
the minas (Luke 19: 12-27). Jesus teaches that our authority or rule in
heaven will be in proportion to our faithfulness in the little things.
He speaks of one being in authority over ten cities and another over
five cities (Luke 19:17-19),Note that it is not what you accomplish, but your faithfulness that is important. For example, suppose you hire two men to move dirt. You furnish one bulldozer and the other a shovel. We assume the first would move more dirt than the latter: This would not necessarily mean he was more faithful.
Jesus said, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:48). Remember, it is faithfulness to our calling that counts. If a person is called to be a Christian wife and mother, there is no higher calling. The important thing is how faithful we are to our own calling.
But do not be discouraged if God does not call you to a public ministry. On the other hand, do not excuse your failure to what you can because you cannot do as much as others.
(4). Greatness Based on Humility, Servant Attitude, and Obedience
Jesus said some would be great in the Kingdom and others would be
least (Matthew ( 5:19 ). But His standards for greatness are quite
different from the usual. Have you ever been discouraged because you
are not considered great in this life? You may never be a great
athlete, actor, businessman, or a famous person. You can, however; be
great throughout eternity. How? By having a servant attitude and by
keeping and teaching the "least" commandments.(1) Humility and servant's attitude. These are high on Jesus priority list. Time after time He tried to get His disciples to completely transform their ideas of greatness. He said:
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4). But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (Matthew 23:11-12). But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all (Mark 9:34-35).
And there was also. a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And He said into them, The Kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve (Luke 22:24-26). Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19).
The disciples probably agreed with Jesus intellectually but didn't apply it to themselves. At the last supper they were apparently waiting for someone "beneath" them to wash their feet. Perhaps they got the message when Jesus did this lowly job Himself. "One reason humility is so important to Jesus is that its absence caused the most traumatic experience ever to take place in heaven." Remember that pride was the sin that caused the devil to fall ( 1 Timothy 3:6 )
Satan's desire to be exalted apparently caused the original rebellion in heaven for which he was thrown out. In contrast, Christ, the supreme example of a servant attitude, was greatly exalted because, although He existed in the form of God, He thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross.
(2) Keeping and teaching the least commandments. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said some would be called least and some would be called great in the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew5:19). Jesus gave two test to enable you to determine which group you will be in. First, do you keep the least commandments yourself? Second, do you teach others to do so?
Why does Jesus also specify that obedience to the least commandments is important (Matthew 5:19)? Obviously, if we continue to disobey the big commandments, we won't be in heaven at all. Although we are not saved by obeying the commandments, we are saved by a faith which leads us to want to obey the Author of those commandments. It is obedience to the least commandments-----the things we often consider petty, unimportant, or picky-----that determines greatness. This degree of obedience is proof of a deeper faith in God. And remember, not only is obedience to these commandments important, but also, teaching them to others.
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(5) Place of Honor Based on Purity
There are apparently special tasks in heaven reserved for those who
have kept themselves pure and free from contaminating influences. Paul
compares people to vessels in the following passage. But in a great
house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver; but also of
wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If any
man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto
honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto
every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,
faith, charity, peace, with that call on the Lord out of pure heart ( 2
Timothy 2:20-22).
Specifically, we are to stay away from anything which causes evil,
unclean, or lustful thoughts. Some Christians excuse their watching
dirty movies or reading dirty books by saying they want to know what
others are thinking. But the Bible says God wants you to be wise in
what is good, but innocent concerning that which is evil. (Romans
16:19). It may be possible for a man to earn some rewards, treasures,
and greatness but still be disqualified from certain honorable
positions. This is illustrated in the life of David who was permitted
to do great things for God but was forbidden to build the temple because
he had shed blood and was a man of war. ( 1 Chronicles 28:2-3 ).
(6) Mercy Received Based on Mercy Given
Jesus left no doubt that the mercy we receive will be in proportion
to the mercy we show others. The only petition in the Lord's Prayer
that Jesus commented on further dealt with forgiving others.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. For if
ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your
Farther forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:12-14-15).
One of the Beatitudes is, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall
obtain mercy". (Matthew 5:7). James said quite bluntly, "For he shall
have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy
rejoiceth against judgement" (James 2:13). In Luke (6:35), Jesus
promised a great reward to those who love their enemies and who lead
without expecting anything back. Jesus makes His feelings about
forgiveness plain in the parable of the unmerciful servant. (Matthew
18:21-35). Are you happy over the thought that the mercy you receive
will be in proportion to the mercy you show others? If not, you have
the opportunity to make the necessary changes now.
All Works Tested
We have covered six categories of differences in heaven which result
from our earthly works. But, it is important to realize that our works
will be tested by God and only those works which stand under his test
will be rewarded. Paul said; Every man's work shall be made manifest
for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and
the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's
work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward ( 1
Corinthians 3:13-15).
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Earthly Training for Positions in Heaven
Part 1
While we are here on this earth, we are constantly working and wanting to be noticed as an important person. In High School most guys wanted to be the star of the Football Team or Basketball Team. Some of us wanted to be part of anything that big and supported by the majority, until we found out there was nothing for us to gain at the end. In reality we are always in trading for something better and bigger. Servicemen go through a similar experience in basic training. Some are eliminated entirely. The ones that remain are tested to determine the kind of duty they are best suited for. They are trained to function better and work as a team, and follow the chain of command. So we may thank of earth as a training camp for heaven.
Selection of God's Team:
God separates all men into two groups as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The chosen go to the Kingdom prepared from the creation of the world and the rest to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:31-46). The basis of the choice is grace on God's part and faith on our part.
Determine Our Position:
Second, God determines what our position in heaven will be. The way we train and prepare ourselves will also be a factor.
Training for Heaven:
Third, earth is used as a place to train ourselves to be the best possible members of God's team. This is where so many Christians fail. How many people in your curh train as hard to be a better Christian as guys on a football team to be a better football player? Yet, Paul said spiritual training is much more important ( 1 Timothy 4:7-8 )
According to Paul, there are two Times when we benefit from Godly training. The rest of the time, it doesn't make any difference. Exercise "train" thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise"physical training" profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come ( 1Timothy 4:7-8).
Paul says the two times when spiritual training benefits us are in this life and in the life to come. Much has been written on how a godly life is the most meaningful, fulfilling life possible in the here and now. Spiritual trading also benefits us in the life to come. We are not told how the training we receive in this life will carry forward to the next, but simply that training will be of value.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach (1Timothy 4:9-11). Paul also compares physical with spiritual training in Corinthians (9:24-27):
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I , not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body,and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Here again we see that spiritual training is of great importance because of the eternal consequences (verse 25). Yet, most church members fail to train spiritually and diligently as they should. Paul worked in order that he wouldn't be disqualified a "castaway". (verse 27). Paul was not concerned about losing his salvation. Paul was training so he wouldn't be disqualified for service. Like Paul we should be conscious of training for the future, and be aware of the importance of the race we are running now. So like Paul we are "training". and. "on the job". Therefore, we can think of life on earth as. " on the job training".
Some might wonder how we should divide our time between training for heaven and do our job down here. There should not be a conflict. The two go together. The best way we can prepare for eternity is to be faithful in our present assignments. We can be certain God has the wisdom to include in our training course just what is best for the assignment we will have in eternity. Therefore, as we prepare to do God's will effectively now, we are preparing for heaven. And remember, Jesus said, "And that servant, which knew his lord's will and prepare not himself neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes" (Luke 12:47; emphasis mine). Since we can't lmagine literal whippings in heaven, we must assume that Jesus is speaking of less rewards. This is indicated in the preceding verses which say:
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comet shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. (Luke 12:42-44).
Earthly training for positions in Heaven
(part 2. Running the race)
Wherefore seeing w also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easy beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We are exhorted to lay aside every weight or encumbrance and sin in order to run the race. That means anything that slows us down in the race set before us is wrong for us. Hebrews 12:1 refers to the "great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.". These are the Heroes of faith of Chapter 11 who, as we have seen, made great sacrifices in this life because they were considering the eternal consequences, as is indicated by such phrases as, "for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward". (11:26 and that they might obtain a better resurrection". (11:35.
Because of these witnesses, we are to put aside anything, however good it might be, if it slows us down. There is a difference of opinion about whether the "cloud of witnesses" means that the hero's of faith are currently watching us run our race.
What would be the message of the saints of the Bible, or perhaps, of our loved one who have gone on, if they saw us running our race? Would they say, "Quit fooling around. Quit majoring on minors. Or, in Bible language, "Lay aside every weight (encumbrance), and sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience (endurance) the race that is set before us". (Hebrews 12:1). If we take the "witnesses" of this passage to be those who have witnessed to us, the message is the same. Get busy about things that are of eternal significance! If we fail to get involved, failed to put fourth our best effort, we would be unacceptable.
Jesus made this point in the parable of the talents were He used the word "wicked". This is such a hard word that Jesus seldom used it in reference to humans. He used it often when referring to Satan. What awful crime was committed in order to make the loving Jesus called wicked did not do one single thing bad. He had a talent and he buried it. The reason he buried it was the same reason we bury ours, he was afraid. (Matthew 25:25).
His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant.....cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:26,30).
From Trial To Perfection
In this next section we will refer to our temporary bodies as our test vehicle and the ultimate vehicle representing the glorified body. If we pass the test in our test vehicle we will receive this glorified, supernatural body. While we are in our test vehicle, we not only decide where we will spend enter unity, but we determine the quality of our eternal existence. Now let us turn to examine our test vehicle, the temporary body, and see how we can best use the time we spend in it.
First, realize that man is not just a machine called a body. Instead of being a body we have a body. This body includes a brain. In ll Corinthians 5:1-10, Paul compares our body to a tent which we long to put aside in order to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. He desired to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Paul said, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels"( II Corinthians 4:7. Peter also wrote of laying aside his earthly dwelling ( II Peter:13-14).
The real "I" dwells in a body which will someday be exchanged for a new glorified body. In the meantime, our present body is the "machine" we use in our "on the job training.". Perhaps the eternal view could help us get a more accurate self image. Failure to see this present life in perspective leads some to be overly concerned about faults of the temporary body, yet leads others to think more highly of themselves than they ought. (Romans 12:3)
Let's look at it this way; The key in each case is how well we perform with what we have to work with and do we learn and grow spiritually each day. Some people have better bodies, better brains, better opportunities than others. This should cause no pride among the "haves" nor sorrow among the "have-nots.". All Christians will get infinitely superior bodies later on. Be diligent, however, to get full benefit out of the body and opportunities God gave you. It is not always possible for us to determine whether poor behavior is caused by a poor body or a poor spirit. Perhaps this is one reason Jesus did not assign the job of judging to us.
We may accept to lightly, excuse, or rationalize faults of the spirit. We are responsible for yielding to God's will rather than ours when we have a choice. Also, we are responsible for growing in spiritual knowledge. Failure in either instance does have eternal significance and should not lead us to accept our actions as "just human nature.". We must also remember that we are commanded to "be filled with the spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) and Jesus said the disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit had come upon them (Acts 1:8). Since the power of the Holy Spirit is now available to all Christians, we will not be excused because we are unable to perform Christian service in our own strength. We were never meant to.
People who beg to be excused from Christian service because they are untrained will face the question, Why? When classics of the faith are available in paperback for a few dollars, there is no excuse for anyone who can read not to be a well-trained servant of the Lord. There is no excuse for failure to follow the Biblical command to:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth (II Timothy 2:15). Since about nine -tenths of what we do results from the subconsciously, it is important that we study and teach ourselves, so that even our subconscious reactions will be correct. We do this by meditating on the Word of God , day and night
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8).
"Amen and may God bless the USA in 2013"
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WHAT DO WE KNOW
Suffering is one of the biggest problems many people have in accepting that there is a God of love. Many atheists and agnostics take the position that there cannot be a God who is both all powerful and all loving because evil and pain exist. They argue that if the former is true, He is not omnipotent, and if the latter is true, He is not loving. This type of thinking results from God's point of view. Of course, we could never even begin to see things from God's point of view unless he chose to reveal them, as the following Scripture says:
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever. (Deuteronomy 29:29). We can not expect to know anything of ultimate meaning and purpose unless it is revealed to us. It is almost ridiculous to see the philosophers vainly trying to figure out what life is all about. Could an ant crawling through Space Control Laboratory in Huston figure out what it was all about? No, we can only know what God has chosen to reveal.
The fact is, however, that He has chosen to reveal some things about suffering which we will cover under the following headings: Eternal View Necessary for Understanding, Cause of Suffering and Response to Suffering.
Suffering is one of the biggest problems many people have in accepting that there is a God of love. Many atheists and agnostics take the position that there cannot be a God who is both all powerful and all loving because evil and pain exist. They argue that if the former is true, He is not omnipotent, and if the latter is true, He is not loving. This type of thinking results from God's point of view. Of course, we could never even begin to see things from God's point of view unless he chose to reveal them, as the following Scripture says:
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever. (Deuteronomy 29:29). We can not expect to know anything of ultimate meaning and purpose unless it is revealed to us. It is almost ridiculous to see the philosophers vainly trying to figure out what life is all about. Could an ant crawling through Space Control Laboratory in Huston figure out what it was all about? No, we can only know what God has chosen to reveal.
The fact is, however, that He has chosen to reveal some things about suffering which we will cover under the following headings: Eternal View Necessary for Understanding, Cause of Suffering and Response to Suffering.
Let's see how Paul felt about earthly life compared to eternity. He said:
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18). To get this verse in context, Paul was comparing the sufferings of this life to the pain of childbirth. Which is of greater concern to a parent during childbirth-----the immediate comfort of the emerging infant or his coming whole and healthy? God sees the time spent in this life compared to eternity as infinitely less than time spent in labor compared to the remainder of life on earth. He is therefore not as concerned with our comfort in this life as He is with our de elopment into sons of God. That is way He could inspire James to write:
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (Jame1:2-4). Let's say you have heart problems, and you end up in at the Hospital for just a little while. You hold on to your wife or husbands hand, but you understand that the pain the other is going through is sometimes necessary. Paul expressed this temporary affliction as follows:
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
(2 Corinthians 4:17). Compared to eternity, Paul saw his affliction as momentary and light. In the same letter he described some of his afflictions:
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in tastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which comet upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? (2 Corinthians 11:24-29). You can see that only with an eternal viewpoint could these afflictions be considered light. We must realize that this earth is not our real world. Accordingly, Paul wept for those. "who set their minds on earthly things."
For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned liked unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself (Philippians 3:19-21).
Jesus demonstrated how a different point of view can radically change our assessment of a situation in His comments about the churches at Smyrna and Laodicea. To the former, He said, "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)" (Revelation 2:9). To the church at Laodicea He said, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). The world saw the church at Smyrna in the midst of tribulation and poverty, but Jesus saw them as rich. The Laodiceans thought they were rich but Jesus saw them as bankrupt. Which situation would you rather be in? When we are tempted to doubt God's love, we must remember that it is the ages to come, not here, that the riches of God's grace will be manifest. Paul specifically states this in the following:
And hath twice us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6-7)
It is in the ages to come, not in this life, that we will experience the fullness of God's grace. Many parts of the Bible do not make sense unless we see them from God's point of view instead of man's. An example is found in the Book of Job.
Job 1:2-3 describes the wealth which Job had and later lost. Job 42:10 records that God restored to Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:12-13 gives the results of this restoration. I'll let you do the math; however remember to look at it with a Eternal View to really understand it. God's math agrees with ours until we get to the sons and daughters. How do we explain this? From God's point of view, the 7,000 sheep ceased to exist when they died. Fourteen thousand new sheep were required to replace them. The sons and daughters who died were more alive than ever, however: God could see them happy in heaven. Job needed a total of 14 sons and 6 daughters in order to have twice as many as before. The 7 new sons and 3 new daughters, added to the ones now in heaven, gave him this total. From God's timeless point of view, he saw the entire family united in heaven through all eternity. The brief period of separation was insignificant in comparison.
There is no evidence that God told Job that part of the promise would be fulfilled in this life and part in eternity. If Job had thought only in terms of this life he would have thought God had not kept all of His promise. people today often think that all of God's promises for deliverance, healing, etc, will be fulfilled in this life if we have enough faith. This is not so. God sometimes gives partial fulfillment as He did in the case of Job, but most of His promises are for eternity. Don't be confused because many of the promises of the Bible are in the present or past tense. Time means nothing to God. God sees things in the present tense although, from our point of view, they are still future. Paul said that God calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17). In addition to considering the brevity of any suffering compared to eternity, an eternal view should also lead us to appreciate the training value of hardship.
Only God knows what place of service we will have in heaven. Therefore, only God knows the kind of training we need down here. We do not always know how suffering fits in but we can be assured that God knows. Paul said, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:3-4. This does not mean that we purposely bring suffering upon ourselves for no reason, or that we do not act with compassion to help alleviate the suffering of others. However, when suffering is unavoidable or necessary to accomplish a higher purpose, we should rejoice in it. We may still wonder why a loving God permits suffering at all, however brief it might be compare to eternity. We therefore consider the causes of suffering in the next Bible Road trip.
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We will consider suffering under two heading:
Suffering Directly From God and Suffering Indirectly From God
1. Suffering Directly From God,
Many of us have the feeling that if God were perfectly just, He would find a way to be fair to those who trust Him. We are all aware that some Christians seem to suffer so much more than others. A just God should compensate for this. The point that I'm making is that God will do that. He will do much more than make up for all our sufferings in heaven. Justice will be done. Those who deserve the most will get the most.
All who get to heaven get much more than they deserve, but those who deserve more will get proportionately that much more than they deserve. A loving God may directly bring about suffering for the purpose of judgment, discipline, or training. The following passages emphasize that it is because of love that God chastens His own. The word "chasten" in the passages quoted below translated "discipline" "punish" and "train" in other translations.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent
(Revelation 3:19).
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby (Hebrews 12:5-11).
We see that chastening is an evidence of our relationship with God. Christians often wonder why their non-Christian friends can seem to sin and get away with it. I used to wonder how some of my friends could have fun sinning and I couldn't. I knew the Bible said there was pleasure in sin for a season but I couldn't enjoy it even for the season. If I didn't get caught from without, I would get caught from within. The reason; God isn't going to let his own enjoy sinning.
God may also need to remove things in our lives which take time and energy from God-given tasks. Jesus said, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more" fruit (John 15:2). We have been speaking about God's dealings with his own, but what about the judgment of those who are not His? Much of their present misery results from the fallen world and themselves. Of course, the greatest judgment will be in the life to come. Perhaps the main reason for judgment, of non-Christians in the present life is for an example as in the following passage:
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1Corinthians 10:6-110).
Suffering Indirectly From God
Much of the pain and suffering is the natural result of a fallen world and is not due to a direct act of God at the time. We often blame God for things He did not do. We ask such questions as, "Why did God do this?" When it is not God at all. James speaks of blaming God for things He is not directly responsible for in the following passage:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:12-17).
James also said:
From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon lusts (James4:1-3
We see that good things come from God and evil results from lust and sin. God told Jeremiah, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).
Much suffering is directly caused by sin, Proverbs contains numerous verses contrasting the good that comes from godly life with the evil that results from sin. Suffering is brought about by the sin of man or a result of a sinful world. It's not just man that is cursed, but the entire world was cursed (Genesis 3:16-19; 5:29). In God's time we are only here a moment to make a choice. That choice being; to die in the sin we enter this world in, or trust God and seek Salvation in Christ. We can not tell where our bad experience is caused by God for chastening or a result of this sinful world.
Response To Suffering
As Apostle Paul said, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28)
The following steps have been offered to be used as suggestions for response to suffering. "suggested by C. S. Lewis, and M. A. Rice."
1. Make Sure of Your Salvation.
2. Check Your Life for Sin.
3. Recognize That Suffering Test our Faith.
4. Discover Ways to use Your Predicament as a Growing and Learning Experience.
5. Share our Comfort With Others.
6. Humble Ourselves and Depend Completely on Christ.
7. Recognize That no Temptation Will be too Great.
8. Pray.
9. Recognize the Brevity of Life and see Suffering in its Eternal Context.
10. Rejoice
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. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, foe the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified (1 Peter 4:12-13).
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