Could it not be anticipation for something they had been looking forward to for a very long time? Could it be they understood God was creating a new home for them in a new setting? New opportunities for growth and development?
With a new setting came different types of bodies to deal with, consisting of grosser material, but fashioned after the manner of their spirit bodies, which were created in the image and likeness of God. Trials and suffering would be part of their learning experiences, although they had no way of knowing or understanding the lengths, widths and depths of that sorrow and suffering. These would be the refiner’s fire spoken of in “Who Are We? (Part 2)”.
“Wherein ye [i.e. the elect of God] greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
From these verses we see that trials are an integral part of life—for our benefit!
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” (1 Peter 4:12-14).
From these verses we not only learn that fiery trials are a necessary part of life, but also that through them, we may be made “partakers of Christ's sufferings; that . . . [we] may be glad also with exceeding joy”
It is the Spirit of God, or the Holy Ghost, that enables us to be happy or glad in our trials. Conversely, if we are not happy or glad in our trials, it might just be we do not actually possess the Holy Spirit, regardless of what we might have been told.
Not only is our earth life to be filled with these trials, the church itself shall be tried and judged.
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:17-19).
We also know both the saints (and by association, the church) shall be overcome by the beast in the last days, if only for a season.
“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Revelation 13:7).
And many shall suffer martyrdom at the hands of that beast.
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4).
In light of all these things, I cannot see how there could possibly be anything resembling the Rapture, which will purportedly save us from all these fiery trials that are a necessary part of our growth and learning experiences, let alone prevent us from partaking of Christ’s sufferings.
The question may then be asked: Did we know beforehand about all these trials we would undergo as part of our earth life experiences? I believe we did. Consider the following.
Earthly parents, at least good ones, try to prepare their children for entrance into the “real” world so they can be good and responsible adults, and in turn, good parents. They try and give them the benefit of their own experiences so their children don’t have to go through them.
Even so, they know their children will have to go through their own learning experiences and make their own decisions, learning continually from the “School of Hard Knocks.” In all this, the earthly parents remain there for their children should they need their help.
Can anything less be expected of our heavenly Parents? (See “Is There a Mother in Heaven?” Are they lower than our earthly parents? I don’t think so.
Are not God’s ways higher than man’s ways?
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Indeed, God’s ways are higher than man’s ways—which might make one consider the following questions:
“What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” (Job 7:17).
“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” (Psalms 8:3-6).
If you have been following my blogs, it would appear we are much closer to God, our Father in heaven, than is generally allowed, even by preachers. In fact, all things considered, it would seem that we are surely of the race of God! How awesome is that!
Given all the evidence thus far presented, what other conclusion can possibly be drawn?
Got any better ideas?
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