Text: 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. (Hebr.11:32-40)
Thoughts: In persucution some were slain with the sword(v.37), but not all accepted deliverance(through death), but another escaped the edge of the sword - by faith(v.34). With other words ran away by FAITH from the edge of the sword. Both ACTS is by FAITH: to accept eternal deliverance(were slain with the sword) and another is escaped from the edge of the sword.
I believe that every persecution is also a visible spiritual war against christian. And only with prayer, faith, patience is possible to overcome it. Look at the verse 34:...out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.(spiritual battle and overcome it with faith).
In whole history the enemy - devil tried to destroy church.
The enemy of God and people, persecuted church in whole church history. And in our days devil continue to persecute the church. Every year approx. 200 million christians in the world goes through persecution.
In Acts 8 we read that Saul persecuted church. And in Acts 9 we read that Saul was on the way to Damascus. And Saul has one target to imprison christians in Damascus.
And on his way he meets the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords JESUS CHRIST.
Acts 9: 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
Saul had an authority to imprison christians, but he didn't know that in heaven THE MOST HIGH GOD JESUS CHRIST who watching all and the Lord Jesus Christ Who has All Authority in Heaven and on the Earth and He is the Ruler of whole universe.
And look: Through the text we understand that every persecution of christian or church the Lord watching as a persecution of Himself, as He persecuted self: "Why you persecuting Me?" is His answer for everyone who persecutes church and christians. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.
This testimony God's one of the Greatest Apostles - Ap.Paul(before Saul) sharing 2 times in Acts.
Lets pray for our brothers and sisters that goes through persecution today. That the Lord will keep them in different difficult countries and comforts them all. And also may the Lord will be merciful for those who persecuting the church in our days. Because He is love, but also He has Authority and He can do ALL!
Ingen kommentarer:
Legg inn en kommentar