ENDURANCE TEST
OF FAITH
INTRODUCTION
Endurance test of faith is being tested daily in a world of unbelief, chaos, destruction, and decline of faith. The destructive element is often through the media, internet, entertainment industry, and other means that have been invaded and controlled by the ungodly.
Jesus in warning of persecution said: I send you (His disciples) forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore wise as servants, and harmless (innocent) as doves (Matthew 10:16). It was noted that in ancient Near East the serpent was commonly regarded as the wisest of beasts. A cautious wisdom was necessary in order to deal with the fierce opposition that one would face. Jesus both warned and encouraged in saying: You shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake; but he that endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22).
The endurance test of faith would continue as Jesus described the characteristics of the time leading to the end of the age. He said there would be religious deception, political unrest, natural disasters, wars, and the persecution of believers in Him. In the face of all these happenings, Jesus encouraged His disciples to persevere in faithfulness, making the Gospel known to all the nations.
Endurance Test of Faith
Compelling Quotations
Whether it is failure or success, the first need is endurance, to endure with gladness if we can, with fortitude in any event (Bliss Carman). Enjoy when you can and endure when you must (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe). Nothing befalls any man which he is not fitted to endure (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus). Faith makes things possible; it does not make them easy (Anonymous). Faith is the capacity to trust God while not being able to make sense out of everything (James Kok).
The increasing hostility toward Christians in the Western nations may be a sign of worse times to come. As the Western nations of the world move steadily toward living by secular values, God’s Word is being ignored. In this environment, Christians who adhere to the Bible and Christian faith will be hated by the world.
Thank God endurance test of faith is, in the end, will realize victory not defeat. Jesus’ assurance is revealed in speaking to Apostle Peter in saying: You are Peter, and upon this rock (foundation) I will build my church; and the gates of hell (opposing opposition) SHALL NOT prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
Ever Changing World
As followers of Christ, we are faced with an ever-changing world in that its morality and ideals are becoming less anchored on the Word of God. When we witness degradation of once held Biblical values it becomes disheartening unless we exercise the endurance test of faith, by continuing to stand on the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God, encouraging our fellow Christians to do likewise.
Prior to His coming Jesus said there would be upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; men’s hearts failing them for fear, from looking after those things that are coming on the earth. When these things begin to come to pass (as they are now); look up, and lift up your heads for redemption (deliverance to the believer) draws near (Luke 21:25-28).
Promise to the Church
A endurance test of faith is emphasized by Jesus in addressing the church at Philadelphia: Because you have kept the word of my patience (my command to persevere), I also will keep you from the hour (trial) of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try (test) them that dwell upon the earth (Revelation 3:10).
It was noted that this presents a promise that Christ will rapture genuine believers out of the world before the Tribulation period beings; that the hour of temptation is the period of worldwide testing which has yet to occur. The Tribulation is for the purpose of trying or judging them that are dwelling on the earth; who are connected to the earth and its system of unbelief and defiance.
Promised Destruction
Apostle Peter emphasized why God’s judgment has been forestalled in many instances: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the wicked), as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (totally unexpected by many), in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3:9-10).
The endurance test of faith comes with a warning from Apostle Peter: Seeing you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness (faithfulness) (2 Peter 3:17).
Assurance in Hour
of Distress
Endurance test of faith failed at one point in the life of the Prophet Elijah; when threatened by wicked Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, he fled for his life. When questioned by God, concerning his flight from Jezebel, he answered: I have been very jealous (zealous) for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away (1 Kings 19:10).
The endurance test of faith, had temporarily failed at that moment, but God-given assurance was on the way, He revealed to Elijah: Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal (a false god), and every mouth which has not kissed (gave allegiance) to him (1 Kings 19:18).
Thank God, there are saints today who still stand firm on the Adulterated (Pure) Word of God without compromise, unyielding to the threats of the Jezebel’s of today, only God knows the number of preserving saints, but we are not alone in allowing the endurance test of faith to remain strong. God did not abandon Elijah due to his temporary failure to stand against adversity but commissioned him to go forth and anoint a king over Syria.
Victory After Persecution
Suffering for Christ was recorded of the Apostle Paul, having received forty stripes minus one; beaten with rods, stoned, suffered shipwreck, a night and a day in the deep; in journeying often, in perils of waters, of robbers, of his own countrymen, in the city, in the wilderness, in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness, and painfulness (toils), in watching (sleeplessness), often in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).
Paul’s reaction to his trials and tribulations: I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). In his final moments Paul proclaimed: I am now ready to be offered (execution), and the time of my departure (death) is at hand, I have fought a good fight.
I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith (the endurance test of faith); henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me in that day; and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
God Equips His People
The Apostle Paul addressed one’s being equipped in their endurance test of faith: Be strong in the Lord, in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood (humanity), but against principalities (rulers), against powers (authorities), against the rulers (world-leaders) of the darkness (sinfulness) of this world, against spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings) in high places (Ephesians 6:10-12).
The whole amour of God consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). Paul gives assurance why the endurance test of faith will not fail: We are troubled (hard pressed) on every side, yet not distressed (crushed); we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, cast (struck) down, but not destroyed (1 Corinthians 4:8-9).
God's Love Toward
Mankind
Scripture reveals: God so loved the world (you and I), that he gave his only begotten Son (born of a virgin that knew not man), that whosoever believes in him (the Lord Jesus Christ), should not perish (based on acceptance or rejection), but have everlasting life (John 3:16). He that believes on him is not condemned; but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18).
Apostle John wrote: He that believes on the Son has everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son of God shall not see life (a heavenly abode); but the wrath of God (confirmed in a place called Hell) abides (remains) on him (John 3:36). The choice is up to each individual as to their final destiny. I pray you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ, in your heart and life, if you have not already done so.
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