Many people think the past is pleasant and the present is bitter. Even some think history should move backwards to the glorious past. When facing adverse situations, it is natural for humans to have such nostalgia. Even Job thought so: “Oh, that I were as in the months of old.” (Job 29:2) Nevertheless, life is not a backward march, for forward movement towards eternity. For the believers, it is a Blessed Hope about the future. (Titus 2:13)
Present trouble: The Church in Smyrna was small and poverty-stricken. And there was also persecution that is referred to as tribulation. The Lord said that there would be ten days of tribulation. (Revelation 2:10) The Lord reminded the church that the intense persecution or tribulation is a temporary phenomenon. Also, the Lord encouraged the church to be steadfast until death. God allows troubles, tribulations, and terrible times to overwhelm the believers for a short period of time. It could be, according to the person, situation, and the purpose of God. There is also a proverb: Tough times do not last, but tough people do.
Enduring trouble: While going through tough times, spiritual resources are needed to be steadfast and overcome. For Christians, the model is the Lord Jesus Christ. His focus was not suffering or pain, but the joy set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2) The joy of seeing in the future the millions of people saved, delivered, and free from sin, Satan, and death.
More than conquerors: Paul wrote that the disciples of God are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:37) It means overwhelmingly conquerors, and eternally conquerors. Nothing can keep believers away from ultimate victory. Paul lists several things, asserting that these would be defeated, and the believers will emerge triumphant: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword (violence), death, rulers, present, future, powers, nothing from height above or depth below, and nothing in God’s creation. (Romans 8: 31-39) The oppression and suppression in the material world are painful, but not powerful enough to hinder God’s promised victory.
Do I focus on the Blessed Hope to be More than a conqueror?