SUFFERING

Job charged not God foolishly

    [adapted from J. G. Malphurs' sermon to the victims of the tornado in Clyde, Texas, in 1938.]

    "Job stood up and tore his robe in grief.  Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground before God.  He said, 'I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be stripped of everything when I die.  The Lord gave me everything I had, and the Lord has taken it away.  Praise the name of the Lord!'  In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God."  [Job 1:20-22  The Book]

    1. We do not say God sends every disaster.  We know He sends some.  2 Samuel 24:1-17; Acts 27.

    a. For a divine purpose when God sends them.

Compare Revelation 9:20-21.  “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.  And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”  Rev 9:20-21 (NKJV)

    b. To punish ungodliness.  Genesis 19  Sodom & Gomorrah

    c. In Job's case it was to prove to Satan that Job was "perfect," not a hypocrite.

    2. Disasters strike the righteous as well as the unrighteous, generally.  But in Job's case he was Satan’s main objective.  Job 1:6-12; 2:6-7.

    3. Such disasters prove man's helplessness.

    a. There is a greater power. 

    “Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.  Thus says the Lord: "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.  For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.”  Jer 10:1-3 (NKJV)

    b. Better to bow before God before calamities strike. 

    “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."  So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”  Romans 14:10-12 (NKJV)

    4. Duties of the church in times like these.

    a. Lead the faithless into faith. 

    “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.”  Acts 16:25-27 (NKJV)

    b. Help God's people to glorify God in spite of disaster. 

    “Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!"  But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”  Job 2:9-10 (NKJV)

    5. Job was an obedient soldier.

    a. God had the right to test Job's loyalty by taking away the things given him in trust.

    b. Job's faith helped him to defeat Satan's scheme - of which Job was unaware.  

    “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:6-8 (NKJV)

    6. If disaster strikes, let us say:

    a. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.  He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him.”  Job 13:15-16 (NKJV)

    “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalms 23:4 (NKJV)

    b. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28  The Book  [for our eternal good]

    c. "Enjoy prosperity while you can.  But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.  That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life."  Ecclesiastes 7:14  The Book

    d. Look forward to the resurrection! 

    "We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as His children, including the new bodies He has promised us."  Romans 8:23  The Book

    “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.  For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”  Romans 8:23-25 (NKJV)

A Message of Hope

    The Book of Revelation – A Message Of Hope

    “Look!  HE IS COMING!”  “The HOPE of Eternity!”

     “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.”

1 Cor 15:20-21 (NKJV)

    “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”  Rev 1:1-3 (NKJV)

     But the battle between the Church and the devil is not determined here on earth.  It has already been settled in Heaven.  The Ascension of Christ meant the downfall of Satan.  Every act of Christian sacrifice confirms this.  The devil is the enemy of all who seek to do God’s Will.  He uses every weapon he can find to defeat the Purpose of the Creator.

    It is 96 A.D., the church is in what seems to be a “death-struggle” with the forces of evil, and the Christians seem to be losing! But things are not always what they seem to be outwardly. “Write, then, the things you see, both the things that are now, and the things that will happen afterward” (Rev. 1:19).

    To understand this book, we must first begin at the fact that it was intended for the believers in John’s day and age (Rev. 2:1-3). It is God‘s answer to the prayers and tears of severely persecuted Christians who were scattered through the cities of Asia Minor. It must be studied in the light of the conditions that existed in the last ten years of the First Century A.D. It shows Jesus as the expediter (one who puts into effect an order or decree in the shortest possible time) of God’s Plan (Rev. 5). The Trumpets of chapter 9 answer the question: “How can a loving God allow pain and suffering?” To the Christian who suffers pain, this is a Seal (compare Rev. 7:2-3 note); but to the unbeliever, this pain and suffering is a Trumpet of warning! The theme of this book is stated very well in the words of Rev. 17:14.  “They will fight against the Lamb: but the Lamb, and his called, chosen, and faithful followers with him, will defeat them, for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. ”

    The LORD shall reign forever.

    “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"  And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,  saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.  The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."  Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.”  Rev 11:15-19 (NKJV)

    Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet. This introduces the End of the World and the Final Judgment, but does not describe it.

    The loud voices in heaven announce: “The power to rule over the world belongs now to our Lord and his Messiah, and he will rule forever and ever.” Compare I Cor. 15:24-28. It may seem as if Satan is the supreme ruler, and that all the power is on the side of the forces of evil. Revelation shows us that God is in control NOW! Judgment will reveal God’s mighty Power as it actually is. 

    Then the twenty-four elders. Symbolic of the Redeemed. They respond to what the loud voices announced by falling down and worshiping [see note on Rev. 5:14]. 

    And have begun to rule! God has been ruling all along, but not in ways clearly seen. As Judgment begins, all opposition is crushed forever. 

    Because it is the time. It has not been the right time, up till now. 

    To reward your servants. God keeps his promises. Compare Rev. 22:12. 

    It is the time to destroy those who destroy the earth! Sin pays its wage. The wicked earn the punishment they will receive. Compare Rev. 18:6.

    God’s temple in heaven was opened. This symbolic picture shows the beauty of God’s love to his children. The temple is wide open so all can see the ark holding the covenant. That ark symbolizes the real and perfect union [fellowship of 1 John 1:7 given real meaning] of God and his people.

    Flashes of lightning. The same ark holding the covenant is symbolic of God’s wrath to those who have rejected him. The lightning, sounds, thunder, earthquake, and hail symbolize God’s mighty power brought in wrath against the ungodly (compare Jude 1:15).

    “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,  to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." Jude 1:14-15

    The Mystery of Faith Revealed.

    “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”  Jude 1:24-25; compare Romans 16:25-27  

     “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-- to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.^”  Romans 16:25-27

Ritual Prayer

Daniel prayed to Jehovah.

   “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever, Amen.”

    It is right to make a ritual-habit of prayer.  The Four Gospels show Jesus praying regularly.  The Book of Psalms was used as a prayer-guide by the early church.  Christians pray in faith-believing, to a loving God who hears our prayers.

   “Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Your mercies and loving kindness, which have been from everlasting.  You became the Son of Man to endure crucifixion and death for the salvation of all who rightly believe in You.  Heal the schisms of the churches; quench the ragings of the heathens, undo and root out the false, and confirm us by the Power of Your Spirit.  Amen.”

   "It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.”  Isaiah 65:24

    “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. ¹¹ Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. ¹² And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." ¹³ So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day." ¹⁴ And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. ¹⁵ Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed." ¹⁶ So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." ¹⁷ Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.”  Dan 6:10-17 (NKJV)

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”  Deut 6:4-5 (NKJV)  [Mark 12:28-31]

“And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers, ¹⁹ to cast out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has spoken. ²⁰ "When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?' ²¹ then you shall say to your son: 'We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; ²² and the Lord showed signs and wonders before our eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his household. ²³ Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers. ²⁴ And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. ²⁵ Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.”  Deut 6:18-25 (NKJV)

    “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ¹⁰ And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." Rev 5:8-10 (NKJV)

  

    "Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it.”  Isaiah 45:8 (NKJV)

“Oh that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever!  For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;  And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”  Job 19:23-27 (NKJV)