And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12-14
The question most pondered by Christians after reading this scripture is… “When will that end take place?” Timing has always been an issue in a person’s walk with the Lord. Can we ‘wait upon the Lord’ or are we rash in our rush to solve our pressing ‘need’, fear, or desires? Real endurance comes from discipline and trials worked through life experience. Endurance and trials will often be mixed with real suffering.
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 2 Corinthians 1:6
my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 2 Timothy 3:10-12
But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. Hebrews 10:32-33
For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 1 Peter 2:19
So … if we follow the Lord zealously (with our whole heart) doing as He asks… do we think we will avoid discomfort or suffering? Apparently, that is a dangerous mindset. If we EXPECT to endure suffering – and have trained ourselves through discipline to listen to Him, then it is more likely that we will endure THROUGH the events coming our way. Who actually is the enemy of evil? Have you truly aligned yourself with God? If so … then YOU ARE the target. And the reality is… YOU ARE already on a spiritual battlefield. And the fight against you is actually already in progress. Our spiritual awareness will determine much of how we react to the suffering and attacks thrust upon us. Can we rightly identify the source of our ‘attacks’? Can we determine if the attack is coming from the internal or external sources of our being? Is it a snare set by our enemies that we unknowingly have agreed to because our ‘fleshly’ nature desired it, or thought it might be a ‘good idea’? Or is it a downright external attack from ‘forces’ coming to destroy you any way that they can? Do you ever ask the Holy Spirit about all of this? Do you ever seek His help when wanting discernment on what to do in a situation or an ‘attack’?
Obviously, Paul could recount a list of hardships that he had to ‘endure’.
Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 2 Corinthians 11:24-27
Paul had the real-life experience to say to Timothy “endure suffering… fulfill your ministry”.
If we really are in the ‘last days’ then we can EXPECT to endure trials and forms of suffering BEFORE our last day. What is He asking you to do to prepare to make it through them? What is important? Your spirit and soul …and eternal standing … or your earthly wealth? Do you trust Him enough to see you through whatever comes your way?
Holy Spirit… open my spiritual eyes and ears that I might follow You in the way I should go. Give me Your wisdom and strength to be obedient to what You have called me to.