(from Jensen, P.D. & Payne, T., The Blueprint, Matthias Media, 1995)
The sufferings of this present age produce in us optimism and hope for the future. They take our eyes and minds off this world and point them to the next. While it may be godly to desire the removal of these evils now, that godly desire must find its expression in the prayer ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. The present delay is for the nations to repent. It gives us the opportunity to preach the gospel that others may know the saving of God, that others may share in the hope of glory. Even now we know that God is at work in everything to bring us to that glory (Romans 8:28-30). Thus we can joyfully endure the sufferings of this age, knowing that they are not to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed. (James 1:2-4; Romans 8:17ff, 5:2-5)
Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
James 1:2-4
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Romans 5:2-5
2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
