The great "God surprise" is the good that comes out of dark times. It's an affirmation of a familiar truth expressed in Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
The Book of Revelation largely describes the darkest period of all time - the Great Tribulation. It can well be described as "hell on earth" - plagues, death, destruction, and great cataclysm. But out of this unprecedented dark time comes incredible good:
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9-10)
The identity of this vast multitude is revealed in verse 14:
"These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Out of the darkest period in all of history comes the greatest ingathering of people into the Kingdom of God! God's greatest good is accomplished in our darkest hour.
Many lament the difficulties that today's Church faces. Attracting new people is a challenge, and many churches seem to struggle for their very survival. And yet this very institution is that of which Jesus confidently asserted, "I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." (Matthew 16:18).
"Church" may take a different form during the days of Tribulation, but be assured of this: it will experience unprecedented growth and effectiveness in those days (Daniel 11:33-35 gives a similar, "coded" description). Challenging as those times will be, it can be said that our best days are yet to come.
Few things are as exhilarating as being on a winning team. But, as anyone who has ever competed in any athletic sport knows, winning takes work. As the old locker room saying goes, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going".
Bible prophecy indicates that "the going will get tough" but it also reminds us that "the tough will get going". The darkest hour will also be the brightest hour.
Whatever challenges you may face today, be assured that God's brightest and best results often come through times such as these. The ultimate victory is assured to him who overcomes.
Steve
The Book of Revelation largely describes the darkest period of all time - the Great Tribulation. It can well be described as "hell on earth" - plagues, death, destruction, and great cataclysm. But out of this unprecedented dark time comes incredible good:
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9-10)
The identity of this vast multitude is revealed in verse 14:
"These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Out of the darkest period in all of history comes the greatest ingathering of people into the Kingdom of God! God's greatest good is accomplished in our darkest hour.
Many lament the difficulties that today's Church faces. Attracting new people is a challenge, and many churches seem to struggle for their very survival. And yet this very institution is that of which Jesus confidently asserted, "I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." (Matthew 16:18).
"Church" may take a different form during the days of Tribulation, but be assured of this: it will experience unprecedented growth and effectiveness in those days (Daniel 11:33-35 gives a similar, "coded" description). Challenging as those times will be, it can be said that our best days are yet to come.
Few things are as exhilarating as being on a winning team. But, as anyone who has ever competed in any athletic sport knows, winning takes work. As the old locker room saying goes, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going".
Bible prophecy indicates that "the going will get tough" but it also reminds us that "the tough will get going". The darkest hour will also be the brightest hour.
Whatever challenges you may face today, be assured that God's brightest and best results often come through times such as these. The ultimate victory is assured to him who overcomes.
Steve
posted by steve @ 10:40 AM
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