“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life”
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.
The word “fear” carries the idea of put to flight. Jesus addresses the problem of lack of courage. “Don’t turn chicken. Stand up to trial. Don’t cave in. Do not let the Devil subdue your soul. Draw your courage from me.”
Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,
The Devil will cast only “some” into prison. Some, not all, will go to jail. God limits suffering to some; He does not universally assign it to all.
that you may be tested,
The Devil puts us to the test as well as God. He will assay the metal of our soul to prove whether we are what we say we are. When you face temptation, do you answer to sin?We can translate the word “tested” as try to trap. The Devil tries to trap us in sin.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (James 1:12-13).
The Devil will attempt to lure us into his lair. Once there, he will trap us in his system. There, our true character will come out.
and you will have tribulation ten days
“Ten days” probably means that these suffering Christians will only suffer for a limited period. Some people believe that this refers to ten periods of suffering under the Roman emperors.
The brief time of tribulation we face here on earth contrasts with the eternal reward (2 Corinthians 4:17). God only allows suffering for a set time. He does not allow limitless suffering for Christians. Because Jesus predetermined that this test will last ten days, no power in the universe can make it last eleven days.
Principle:
Jesus foreknows our trial. He forewarns and forearms us of our trial.
Application:
As the storm clouds gather in your life and are about to burst upon you, are you faithful? Jesus’ watchword was “fear not.”
When trial comes, it strips us of superficial support systems. Instead of leaning on the grace of God’s provision, we lean on self. That will not sustain us in time of trial. Only by committing our souls to a faithful Creator can we cope with trial appropriately.
“Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19).
Jesus, the Sovereign Son of God, manages the trial that comes to us. Therefore, our trial is not capricious but in His plan. That is why we can “commit” our souls to Him.
Thank You. Amen. That was my life verse as an eigth grader. I am now 26. God is faithful to His word. His word does not return void.
I really like your commentary but please let me know your references in determining that this trial is “Jesus, the Sovereign Son of God, manages the trial that comes to us. Therefore, our trial is not capricious but in His plan. I would really like to have more evidence so that If and when I make a point of this in class I will not be attacked for lack of supporting evidence. I do feel led of the Holy Spirit to believe your comments but need more proof based on the word.
Michael, refer to John 16:33 but also the entire book of 1 Peter. Especially note 1:6-8; 4:12f.
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST IS WRITTEN AS IF THE RAPTURE IS AT HAND
Rev 1:3 says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
Rev 22:6 says, “These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.”
Rev 22:10,11 says, “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”.
“YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION TEN DAYS” SHOWS US HOW CLOSE THE RAPTURE IS IN THIS ACCOUNT
Rev 2:10,11 says, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
MY AFTERTHOUGHT
Rev 2:22 says to the church of Thyatira, ‘Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.”
Therefore, the time is probably ten days before Mid-Trib.
Marilyn, immancy just means there is no sign needed before Christ returns.