May 8, 2008

Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

I come back to this verse time and time again because of the significance behind it. Paul said this after an incredible history. It smacks of 2 Cor 4:17 - "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." (cf. Colossians 1:24) To Paul, this "momentary, light affliction" meant something much more than what it probably conjures up in our minds. Think of his own account of this in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28. Paul was on the brink of death, tortured and starved, all for the cause of Christ.

Notice here that none of these things were for crimes that we had done, but rather, because people were rejecting the message. Matthew 10:22 speaks to this cause - "hated by all because of My name." Remember the admonition that still stands today: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Matt 10:16). Remember also Acts 24:16. Too, if you are in jail because of something wrong which you did, that is your own fault. Do not blame God for that.

"The glory that is to be revealed in us." Comparing our present sufferings to future glory is nearly impossible, but even if we were to compare present blessings with future glory there would be nothing to compare. We know that the earth and all it contains will burn up in a fervent heat (2 Peter 3:12). We also know that the entire creation groans and travails in pains (Romans 8:22), and in fact we, as believers groans within ourselves waiting for the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). "We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). We also think of Isaiah who saw the Lord high and lifted up. His reaction was one of true worship. Also, Paul, who was caught up to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2) who describes this foretaste thus: "was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which man is not permitted to speak" (2 Cor 12:4). Or, what about the words of John, who saw Him who sat on the throne (Revelation 20:11)? A Divine foretaste again. Following the judgment of all sin there descends upon the earth a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). At that time God will say once more and finally - "it is done," (Rev. 21:6) and then begins a new life, unimaginable where we dwell with our Creator as was originally intended - apart from sin, face to face.