Editorial

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 9
 
Suffering Now, Glory Later
“The sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." So writes Peter in his first epistle. Indeed, Peter mentions the sufferings in each chapter of his first book, then in his second book he tells of the excellent glory. He says we were eyewitnesses of His majesty, and we have made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If the Lord Jesus Christ in His pathway first experienced sufferings and then the glory, shall we, as believers in Him, expect it to be different for us? To encourage us, Peter writes: "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1 Peter 5:1010But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10).
Paul writes: "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." 2 Tim. 2:1212If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12). And later he says, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:1212Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12).
These past nearly 2000 years have not made the world better or more favorable to Christ or the Christian. The year 1994 is the same as the year 30 when Christ suffered and died at the hands of His creatures, when the malice of men's hearts was fully manifested at the cross. One thing for us is sure: the glory is now very near—about 2000 years nearer than when Peter and Paul wrote.
The Lord gave these two great apostles, Peter and Paul, a wonderful education. Peter was the apostle of the Jews, and Paul the apostle of the Gentiles. Peter denied the Lord when he knew Him, and Paul would have destroyed His name if He could have done so. But later their mouths were closed unless they spoke of the grace which they had tasted. Such was their education, and then they both look on to what we will call their graduation. Peter includes us in it. He writes, "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:1111For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:11).
Paul for himself says, "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." 2 Tim. 4:1818And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18). Ed.