Patient Endurance

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.   Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.  Isa. 35:3-4

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. There is a time to warn the wicked, a time to preach and preserve truth, and there is a time to encourage the weak.  Today I’d like to encourage the weak saint who is on the way of holiness, but feels he is burdened almost beyond belief due to the trials he is experiencing.

The saints are called not only to believe on the name of Jesus, but also to suffer for His sake (Phil. 1:29).  We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God; therefore you must continue in the faith no matter what comes (Acts 14:22).  You must not, in the time of temptation, fall away (Luke 8:13).

The day you feel like giving up is a day of temptation. The day you feel bitterness beginning to grow in your heart is a time of temptation.  The day you wonder if the promises of God are true, and you envy the wicked who seem to get by without so much heartache–this is a day of temptation for you.  Satan is seeking to devour you, but the Lord Jesus stands as your advocate with the Father, praying for you.  You must believe the word which is spoken to you, that your God will come with a vengeance and a recompence; He will come and save you. You must be patient in your day of affliction–

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.  (Jam. 5:10-11)

Endurance through suffering is needed, that after you have done the will of God while under the squeezing pressure of affliction, you may receive the promise of God (Heb. 10:36).  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psa. 34:19).  Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psa. 30:5).  The heavier the burden feels, the more we need to consider Jesus, who endured such contradiction from sinners against Himself, lest we be wearied and faint in our minds. (Heb. 12:3-4).

Beloved saint, the night may be longer than you expect.  Sometimes the night can last months or even years. Sometimes circumstances so break your heart, you feel you cannot recover. Sometimes the actions of others have such terrible consequences, many of your personal hopes are dashed, and you can barely breathe, let alone “act joyful” or be a strength to others.  It seems like the wind has been kicked out of you.  In these times, you must believe that your God will come and save you. Do not turn your back on Him, heeding the lie of satan that He has forsaken you to be overcome by your circumstances, for He has promised never to leave nor forsake you.  He has been touched with the feeling of our infirmities and was in all points tempted as we are (Heb. 4:15).  He knows what it feels like to be hated and persecuted by even those who claim to love God, to have family look upon Him with scorn, to be misunderstood even by His closest companions, to be back-stabbed by someone close to Him, to be lonely, to be in intense pain physically and emotionally, to feel forsaken by God, and to wish there was another way than the one God laid upon Him. In short, He knows how we feel, and through Him, we can and must overcome all these things.

God is not the self-absorbed King Arthur shut up in His tower untouched by the sorrows of the peasants, but a selfless King who came to suffer with us, to carry our sorrows.  He has walked in our shoes, and He calls us to follow Him through the cross to the joy that awaits on the other side.  So, let us run with patience this race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross (Heb. 12:1-3).  Let us follow Him wherever He goes, trusting in His power, knowing that as we carry about in our bodies the dying (to sin, self-love, etc.) of the Lord Jesus, the life of Jesus is manifested in us to the world (2 Cor. 4:10-11).  We overcome by enduring the dying, trusting the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will raise us also at the right time.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.   As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools.   They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. (Psa. 84:5-7; NKJV)

Are you a stranger in a strange land (Exo. 2:22)?–Pray this, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.” (Psa. 39:12)  Remember, you are not a stranger alone, but a stranger with Him. You have gone forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach (Heb. 13:13). Together you must pass through the Valley of Baca–the Way of Weeping–and make it a spring. Those who must come this way after you will be refreshed by your tears;  they are not in vain. Though you feel weak, you will go from strength to strength, yoked to Jesus.  Only believe with Job that after you have been tried in the fire, you will come forth as pure gold to the Father’s glory (Job 23:10).

The power of the Gospel alive in you is this: that even if you are hungry, thirsty, naked, buffeted–even if you have no certain dwelling place and are reviled, persecuted, defamed, and considered the filth of the world–you can bless those who hate you, suffer patiently the abuse heaped on you, and continue to intreat your enemies to come to Jesus (I Cor. 4:11-14).  You can lay even your good dreams on the altar, as Abraham laid Isaac there, trusting that God is able to raise them up again if needed.  You have the treasure of God in an earthen (weak) vessel, so that His power becomes famous–you are troubled on every side but not distressed beyond what you can bear, you are perplexed but not despairing and without hope, you are persecuted but not forsaken, you are cast down but not destroyed. You are being delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that His overcoming life might manifest (2 Cor. 4:8-11).

So again, to the fearful heart, I say, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.  When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, He will trouble those who are troubling you, and give you rest with the people of God (2 Thess. 1:6-8). You who are poor in spirit, the Kingdom of heaven is yours. You who are mourning, you will be comforted. You meek who turn the other cheek out of love for your Lord, the earth will be yours. You merciful, you will obtain mercy. You lover of peace, you are a child of your Father, the King of Peace.  You who are persecuted for righteousness sake, who are hated for your stand for Jesus and His truth, He knows your name and is even now preparing your reward. Do not turn back in fear or discouragement, but continue in the faith, being patient as the farmer is patient when he waits for fruit to grow.  Your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  (Isa. 35:10)

Be Strong and Do Exploits

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.   And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.  (Dan. 11:32-33)

These passages appear to have been fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes, who took the kingdom of Syria in 175 BC by stealth and flatteries and proceeded to wage war against Egypt. After being routed by the Romans in his endeavors against Egypt, he took Judea and began to act out his hatred against the Jewish people and their covenant. Concerning this, Matthew Henry writes and directs us to the histories of the Maccabees–

He [Antiochus] had a rooted antipathy to the Jews’ religion: His heart was against the holy covenant, v. 28. And (v. 30) he had indignation against the holy covenant, that covenant of peculiarity by which the Jews were incorporated a people distinct from all other nations, and dignified above them. He hated the law of Moses and the worship of the true God, and was vexed at the privileges of the Jewish nation and the promises made to them…He carried on his malicious designs against the Jews by the assistance of some perfidious apostate Jews. He kept up intelligence with those that forsook the holy covenant (v. 30), some of the Jews that were false to their religion, and introduced the customs of the heathen, with whom they made a covenant. See the fulfilling of this, 1 Mac. 1:11-15 , where it is expressly said, concerning those renegado Jews, that they made themselves uncircumcised and forsook the holy covenant. We read (2 Mac. 4:9 ) of Jason, the brother of Onias the high priest, who by the appointment of Antiochus set up a school at Jerusalem, for the training up of youth in the fashions of the heathen; and (2 Mac. 4:23 , etc.) of Menelaus, who fell in with the interests of Antiochus, and was the man that helped him into Jerusalem, now in his last return from Egypt. We read much in the book of the Maccabees of the mischief done to the Jews by these treacherous men of their own nation, Jason and Menelaus, and their party. These upon all occasions he made use of. “Such as do wickedly against the covenant, such as throw up their religion, and comply with the heathen, he shall corrupt with flatteries, to harden them in their apostasy, and to make use of them as decoys to draw in others,’’ v. 32. Note, It is not strange if those who do not live up to their religion, but in their conversations do wickedly against the covenant, are easily corrupted by flatteries to quit their religion. Those that make shipwreck of a good conscience will soon make shipwreck of the faith.

This passage and this history still speaks today. It was written for our learning, that we too might have hope when we see evil prevailing against the people of God for a time (Rom. 15:4).  There are those who profess to know God, but in works deny Him (Titus 1:16), and these persecute the people of God as Cain persecuted Abel. They do wickedly against the covenant, forsaking the One whose blood was shed to save them, bringing reproach to His name though they sometimes pretend to honor Him.  These are easily corrupted by the flatteries of antichrist (John testifies that there are many antichrists already among us–I John 2:18), not enduring sound doctrine, but having itching ears for doctrines that suit their own particular lusts (2 Tim. 4:3-4).  How conveniently can satan and his children exploit these apostates, using them to hurt the faithful, with lies making the heart of the righteous sad by strengthening the hands of the wicked (Ezek. 13:22).  Even more, under strong delusion, they throw the faithful out of the churches, and even kill them, thinking they do God a service (John 16:2).  Brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death (Matt. 10:21).  Thus shall many people of God fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

But he that endures to the end shall be saved. They endure the temptation to fall away, and hold fast to what they have, letting no man take their crown. They endure the onslaught of false doctrines and the mockery of false Christians, persevering in the truth.  They endure affliction with the people of God rather than enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11:25.) They endure in faith, trusting that whatever happens to their nation, God has them in His sights;  they know they are worth more to Him than many sparrows.  They set their hearts thus:  that though there be no blessing in fruit or flock, yet they will joy in God’s great salvation (Hab. 3:17-18); and though God slay them, yet they will trust Him and maintain righteousness before Him (Job13:15). They that endure all things with patience possess their own souls (Luke 21:19).

These are the people who understand, and God shall be their strength, and they will do exploits. They shall not be corrupted by flatteries, but in humility and dependence before their God, they will be safe. While the world wonders after beastly kingdoms and their savage subjugations, these who understand will rest in hope, knowing that they belong to the unassailable Kingdom of God. They will be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing their labor is not in vain (I Cor. 15:58).  They will stand before governors and kings and deliver the message that God gives them.  Despite the threats of sword, flame, captivity and spoil, they shall instruct many by their words and deeds, wisely winning souls while there is yet time. And should they be plundered of their earthly goods, they understand that many of their brethren were likewise destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Heb. 11:3-38)  And should they be called upon to do the greatest exploit of all–that is, to love not their own lives to the death–they do so willingly, knowing that to live is Christ, but to die is gain;  and whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s (Rom. 14:8).

God bless you.

Standing Before Governors and Kings

Jesus told us that we, His followers, will be brought before governors and kings for His sake, for a testimony against them.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;  and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.   For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.  (Matt. 10:16-20)

These verses remind me of righteous Daniel, who was brought from apostate Israel to stand before three pagan kings, each of whom was greatly affected by him.

The first king, Nebuchadnezzar, communed with Daniel and three of his young fellow Hebrews, and in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. (Dan. 1:20)  Young person, when you are brought before kings and governors, let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (I Tim. 4:12)

During Nebuchadnezzar’s second year, Daniel interpreted a dream for him, proving that his God was a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets (Dan. 2:47), by which he saved the lives of every wise man in the land.  When Daniel’s friends–Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego–were brought forth from the fire unharmed after refusing to worship an image of the king,  Nebuchadnezzar made this decree:

That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. (Dan. 3:29)

And finally, Daniel was called upon to warn Nebuchadnezzar of the pride in his heart, for he attributed all his dominion to his own power and strength, even after seeing the power of the true God and giving lipservice to Him before his whole kingdom. At the end of twelve months, Nebuchadnezzar lost the kingdom and was driven from among men, having gone mad and become like a beast. After the duration of this judgment, he looked to the God of heaven and blessed the most High, and praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:  and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Dan. 4:34-35)

The second king before whom Daniel stood, Belshazzar, had an encounter with Daniel’s God that was not to his own profit, but to his swift and irreversible judgment.  For he knew all this–that is, he knew all the things that had happened during his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar’s reign–and yet had not humbled his heart, but had lifted himself up against the Lord of heaven (Dan. 5:23). We must take heed how we hear and what we do with what we know. If we apply the wisdom we hear, we shall be given more, but if not, we shall become spiritual paupers, losing the very truth that was sent to save us (Mk. 4:24-25).  Belshazzar was a poor steward of the light indeed, neglecting to take heed to Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony, and so he lost the kingdom and even his own life.

The third king before whom Daniel stood was Darius the Mede. Darius discerned in Daniel an excellent spirit, and preferred him to all presidents and princes, which would have cost Daniel his life if not for the Lord’s protection in the lions’ den. When King Darius anxiously called to Daniel the morning after he was thrown into the den, Daniel responded to the king’s delight that he was unhurt, for God who is King of kings had declared him innocent in all matters.  Then Darius made this decree:

That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.  He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.  (Dan. 6:26)

I am amazed at the influence of this one righteous man on the hugest kingdom on earth at that time!  Is it any wonder that God has seen fit, in His glorious plans, to allow us to fall into troubles that will bring us before rulers?  For we are witnesses unto Him near and far, in our hometowns and unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Jesus Himself, whom we follow, stood before governors and kings. Standing before Pilate, he testified that He was a king whose kingdom was not of this world, that He had come into the world to bear witness of the truth, that all who hear truth listen to Him, that Pilate had no power but what power God gave him, and that those who delivered him up to be killed had the greater sin. Before Herod, Jesus answered not a word, giving the testimony of silence, for the heavens are brass to those who only wish to be entertained by spiritual things and mock at the truth.

The apostle Paul also stood before governors and kings. The Lord spoke to Paul after his arrest, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”  Paul taught Felix a more accurate knowledge of the way– he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come–until the governor trembled in fear. (Acts 24:22,25) Then before King Agrippa and his wife Bernice, Paul testified of his former life as a Jew and his subsequent encounter with the risen Christ, who had suffered and been the first to rise from the dead; and how he preached everywhere that men should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance (Acts 26:20). For a testimony against them Paul was sent, for Felix remained unchanged and Agrippa was only almost persuaded to be a Christian.

Saints, we may yet stand before governors and kings. The Lord sends us forth as sheep into the midst of wolves, and commands that we be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  The Lord will give us the words to speak when the time comes.  We have the examples of Daniel, Jesus, and Paul to give us courage. Paul gave this amazing testimony to Timothy after having stood before Caesar (probably Nero)–

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Tim. 4:16-18)

The Lord stood with him and strengthened him, that the Gospel would go forth! Paul knew he was likely to be martyred soon (2 Tim. 4:6), and yet he wrote that the Lord would deliver him and preserve him. And so he certainly was delivered and preserved after completing his testimony before governors and kings, for precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psa. 116:15), and not a hair on their heads will ever perish (Luke 21:18).

The LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.   Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.  Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. (Jer. 1:7-9)

God bless you!

Man’s Kingdom vs. God’s Kingdom

We live in a time of great striving in the world, nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom (Matt. 24:7). Earthly kings (though they often be called by other names, such as presidents) all strive for authority over multitudes, just as the four winds strove upon the great sea in Daniel’s vision (Dan. 7:2).  God gives power to whom He wills, even to wicked men, so as to sift the nations and expose them to the glorious gospel of the one eternal Kingdom. His hope is that men will choose the infinite over the finite, the eternal Kingdom of God over the temporary kingdoms of men, the great and merciful King of kings over kings who must be regarded as beasts in prophecy–for they follow beastly instincts in all their conquests.  King Jesus is the only King who ever conquered hearts by selflessness, and whose subjects are all servants by choice. His throne is forever and ever, and He rules by righteousness (Psa. 45:6).

King Jesus is the Stone of Dan. 2:44-45:

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.  Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

The Stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands–the very stone which the rebellious builders rejected–will break into pieces every kingdom that exists, from the gold down to the clay. Those who are delivered from the power of darkness are translated into this kingdom (Col. 1:13), and have together become a holy nation, as well as chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a peculiar people to show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Pet. 2:9).  The kingdom of God has been taken from all rebels who reject the chief Cornerstone, and given to the holy nation bearing its holy fruit (Matt. 21:43)  It includes men from every nation, for they will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:29).

This kingdom of God, and the righteousness by which it is ruled, we are to seek first before all things (Matt. 6:33). We are to preach with John the Baptist, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.“  For is it not at hand? Has not the King been installed on God’s holy hill, and do not the nations all rage in vain against Him? (Psa. 2)  We know that our King’s arrows are sharp in the hearts of His enemies (Psa. 45:5), and we plead with men, be reconciled to God through the death of His Son.

The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. (Luke 16:16). When the Pharisees demanded answers concerning the kingdom Jesus preached, He answered, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) He likewise answered Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (Jn. 18:36) Oh, if only men would stop and reflect on these verses, how many deceptions about the Christian’s so-called “duty to bear arms” in so-called “just wars” would be cast down by the knowledge of God.

In order to see this spiritual Kingdom, we must be born again (John 3:3), because the things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned (I Cor. 2:14) All who enter must first be converted and enter as little children ready to be led and taught of God (Matt. 18:3). Flesh and blood cannot inherit this kingdom (I Cor. 15:50). It differs from carnal kingdoms in that it does not strive for the carnal activities of eating and drinking (flesh-indulgence), but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:7).  The members of this kingdom do not fight with carnal weapons but spiritual, for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (2 Cor. 10:3-4). The unrighteous shall in no wise inherit this holy kingdom (I Cor. 6:9-10), and it is very difficult for the rich to enter–just the opposite of man’s kingdoms (Matt. 19:24).  This kingdom is made up of the poor in spirit, those who mourn over what breaks God’s heart, the meek and merciful, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and those persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matt. 5:3-10).  “Tax collectors” and harlots who repent and produce the preceding qualifications shall enter the kingdom before religious men who go to church but do not do the Father’s will (Matt. 21:31);  for only those who do the will of God will enter, and calling Him “Lord” is not enough (Matt. 7:21).  As a present subject of this kingdom, one is given a stewardship from God, and He will demand an accounting, and cast unprofitable servants into outer darkness (Matt. 25:14-30).  We must let the dead bury their own dead and preach this kingdom of God–the one that is not of this world–not looking back, nor being overly discouraged by the cross which it is our duty to bear; for no one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.  (Luke 9:60, 62)

Men are pressing into the kingdom NOW, and it is not a visible kingdom, but a kingdom within the hearts of men. Therefore Jesus’ servants needed not to fight for His life, and need not now fight for their own lives, for the Kingdom is secure and out of reach of the carnal weapons of men.  No matter how the kings of the earth set themselves, and no matter what counsel the rulers take together against Him and His anointed, no matter how they make war against those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:17),  the Lord shall laugh and have them in derision (Psa. 2). He knows that the days of earthly nations are numbered, and that though the saints be given into the hands of the wicked for a space,  by enduring they shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. (Dan. 7:18) Though they are troubled, perplexed, persecuted and cast down under the rulerships of carnal men, yet they are NOT forsaken nor destroyed, for their feet rest surely upon the immovable Rock (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

Here is the patience of the saints, dear reader–Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  Therefore do good to all your enemies, and do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good. You must rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation (through which we all must enter the kingdom of God), and continue instant in prayer.  Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.  (Rom. 12; Acts. 14:22; I Pet. 4:19)

Our kingdom has an army whose Commander has already overcome this world. We must choose whom we will serve, the kingdoms of this world that fight for territory, riches, and power over men–or the kingdom of God that fights with spiritual weapons to set men from every nation free from darkness.  There are lost sheep in every corner of the globe, and it is our duty as the Body of Christ, to seek them out of the highways and biways and invite them to fill up the house of our God.  We must show them the kingdom that transcends all other kingdoms, and invite them to come in. And though we will be perceived as a threat to all the temporary kingdoms on earth, and though for our love they may unjustly hate us and persecute us–

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)