“Because you have kept my commandments to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on earth” Rev. 3:10. Without doubt, salvation is by Grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and not of our work or perfection. (Ephesians 2:5-9, Romans 11:5-6.) However, as free as grace is, you must possess the appropriate credential to be entitled to it otherwise it becomes a gift even to the ungodly. This is not the intention of God. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say unto you will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24).
Which is the narrow gate or the credential required to enjoy the saving grace of Christ? “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain…but in all things we recommend ourselves as ministers of God in much patience, in tribulation, in needs, in distress…” (II Corinth 6:1-10) We know that all flesh now groan and labor with birth prangs (Rom. 8:22-24) Yes, you are now passing through an horrendous tribulation - heavily indebted to many without any hope of help within the horizon; in severe and painful illness with little or no hope of medical remedy; in agony of loss of husband, wife or child with the entire world turning empty and meaningless to you; with endless search for true husband, wife or child with aging frightening you into hopelessness, with years of search for job, and agonizing penury without any solution in sight.
Yes, yours is different, you are blessed with all these, but your wife, your husband is your source of tribulation, yes your children are sources of embarrassment through drug addiction or illness, your business is completely upside-down, in your job, you are frustrated through stagnation and hostile environment, fear of police harassment and possible court indictment is yours and of course, many are subjected to mental torture through devilish persecution within families and other forums. These tribulations are endless in nature, dimension, and severity. Whatever is your own tribulation please carry it with joy and faith; it is your cross, the test of your faith in Christ. “It is only through many tribulations, we can enter the kingdom of God” (Act 14:22) Unless you carry your cross – enduring your tribulations without murmur, without question and without turning back from Christ can you be crowned – granted the credential for the Grace provided in Christ. “You must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. If we die with Him, we shall also live with Him; if we endure, we shall also reign with Him, if we deny Him, He also will deny us – (II Tim. 2:2-13)
This is the end time, as long as your suffering is not a consequence of your crime or sin (I Pet. 4:13-16) be patient, endure with fasting, prayer and total uprightness in the commands of God, and you will eventually be delivered from all tribulation, over-whelmingly blessed and granted the credential for His Grace to enter the kingdom of God. “Do not fear all those things which you are about to suffer, indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you to prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for 10 days (10 years, or more) Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10) Christ has died to provide you and me this grace. – The death of the Lord is not a call unto blessing, comfort and lust in this world but a call for your holiness in this world leading to live abundant in His eternal kingdom (1 Pet 1:15, 1 Thess 4:7)
Remember that Abraham waited patiently for 25 years to have Isaac, Remember that Isaac waited 20 years to have Esau & Jacob –(Gen 25:21-26), Joseph waited 13 years patiently through tribulation before he became Prime-minister in Egypt (Gen 7:2, Gen 41:46). King David waited for 18 years after anointment before being enthroned as king in Hebron at 30. All the apostles suffered untold torture and tribulations ranging from hunger, illness, imprisonment even to humiliating death by the sword. Many were thrown into the lions den, stoned to death or crucified upside-down. ‘Then one of the elders answered, saying to me; who are these arraigned in white robes and where did they come from? And I said Sir, you know” So, he said to me, these are the ones who came from great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They shall neither hunger nor thirst anymore, the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat” (Rev. 7:13-17)
Entry into the kingdom of God is indeed through the free Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ but only those who are able to endure their tribulation without murmur, grumbling or acts of unrighteousness will be certified qualified for it. For if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear…therefore let all those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good as to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 14:18-19) Appreciating the consuming judgment of God that neither fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers nor extortionists will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinth 6:9-10), please endeavor to accept the Gospel today and live a pious live for the salvation of your Soul.
May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Power of His resurrections descend and remain with you as you find time to read this message and make a “U” turn unto the path of righteousness.