Topical Encyclopedia
The afflictions of the saints, though often severe and multifaceted, are consistently portrayed in Scripture as leading to ultimate joy and blessedness. This theme is woven throughout the biblical narrative, offering hope and encouragement to believers who endure trials for their faith.
Biblical FoundationThe Bible acknowledges that the righteous will face afflictions. In
Psalm 34:19, it is written, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all." This verse encapsulates the dual reality of the Christian experience: the certainty of suffering and the assurance of divine deliverance.
Purpose of AfflictionsAfflictions serve a divine purpose in the life of a believer. They are not random or meaningless but are used by God to refine and strengthen faith.
James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Here, trials are seen as a means to spiritual maturity and completeness.
Participation in Christ's SufferingsThe New Testament frequently links the sufferings of believers with the sufferings of Christ. In
1 Peter 4:13, the apostle Peter exhorts, "But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory." This participation in Christ's sufferings is not only a mark of true discipleship but also a precursor to sharing in His glory.
Promise of Future GloryThe afflictions of the saints are temporary and pale in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits them.
Romans 8:18 declares, "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us." This future glory is a source of hope and motivation for believers to endure present hardships.
Joy in the Midst of TrialsEven in the midst of trials, believers are called to experience joy. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the relationship with Christ and the promises of God.
Philippians 4:4 instructs, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" This command to rejoice is grounded in the assurance of God's presence and faithfulness.
Blessedness of EnduranceThe endurance of afflictions is often associated with blessedness. In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces blessings on those who suffer for righteousness' sake: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (
Matthew 5:10). This blessedness is both a present reality and a future promise, as the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who endure.
Eternal PerspectiveThe afflictions of the saints are best understood in light of eternity.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 offers a profound perspective: "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This eternal perspective enables believers to view their sufferings as transient and purposeful, leading to an incomparable eternal reward.
ConclusionThe afflictions of the saints, while challenging, are integral to the Christian journey. They serve to refine faith, align believers with Christ's sufferings, and ultimately lead to joy and blessedness. Through the lens of Scripture, these trials are seen as temporary and purposeful, culminating in the eternal glory that God has prepared for those who love Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 126:5,6They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Torrey's Topical TextbookIsaiah 61:2,3
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Peter 4:13,14
But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Introduction to the Work, with Some Account of the Nature of ...
... Are all my afflictions, Satan's temptations, the world's scorns and jeers, come
to this? ... All Christ's ways of mercy tend to and end in the saints' joys. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter i the introduction to.htm
The Saints' Rest is not to be Expected on Earth.
... Have your afflictions wrought kindly with you, and fitted you for ... to die, that we
may possess the saints' rest ... If we did indeed make God our end, our rest, our ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter x the saints rest.htm
The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... of time, health, abilities, mercies, afflictions, means, warnings ... they would consider
their latter end!" that they ... The last preparative for the saints' rest is ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ii the great preparatives.htm
How to Discern Our Title to the Saints' Rest.
... How comfortably mayest thou then undergo all afflictions! ... which thou may try your
title to the saints' rest ... makes not God his chief good and ultimate end, is in ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter viii how to discern.htm
The Nature of Heavenly Contemplation; with the Time, Place, and ...
... The chief end of this duty is, to have acquaintance and ... Surely God sends thy afflictions
for this very purpose. ... angels, to any of his prophets or saints, in a ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiii the nature of.htm
Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
... 17; Romans 8:18)"whereof all the afflictions of this ... where?) even where I am, (to
what end?) that they ... glorious is the object of heavenly saints: so amiable ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the blessed state.htm
Parting Counsels
... the same prophetic warnings of 'bonds and afflictions' waiting for ... thing) has but
one natural end, the entrance ... those who here have growingly been made saints. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/parting counsels.htm
Suffering with Christ, a Condition of Glory with Christ
... evil world"there Christ is with us in our afflictions. ... us meet for the inheritance
of the saints in light ... the discipline of life cannot but end in blessedness ...
/.../suffering with christ a condition.htm
An Index to Find any Hymn by the Title or Contents of It.
... Death, see Christ; And Afflictions under providence, 1:83; terrible to the ... End of
the world, 2:164. ... by Christ, 2:126; 3:10; the avenger of his saints, 2:115 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/an index to find any.htm
But Whilst the King Has not that Most Blessed Light...
... the rapture of the heavenly saints before the ... least, these alternations "to the end
that (with ... thorny shrubs of endurance, afflictions, necessities, distresses ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vii but whilst the.htm
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