Romans 5:3-4. Romans 5:3-The Confident Expectation of the Rapture Produces Perseverance in Time of Adversity

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1 Romans 5:3-4 Romans 5:3-The Confident Expectation of the Rapture Produces Perseverance in Time of Adversity In Romans 5:1, we noted that since the believer has been justified by faith in Jesus Christ, he has peace in the presence God through the Lord Jesus Christ whose spiritual death on the Cross reconciled them to God, implying that the believer now has a relationship with God. Then, in Romans 5:2a, we studied that because the believer has been justified by faith in Jesus Christ, he also has as a permanent possession access to this gracious benefit of a relationship with God, in which he stands forever, thus implying the believer has eternal security. In Romans 5:2b, Paul states that in addition to all this, he and other like-minded believers rejoiced in the confident expectation of receiving a resurrection body. Now, in Romans 5:3, he teaches that the confident expectation of the rapture, i.e. the resurrection of the church, which is imminent produces endurance in the believer in times of adversity. Romans 5:1-2, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:3-5, And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. In Romans 5:3, and is the emphatic use of the conjunction de (dev) (deh), which introduces an additional object that Paul and those who thought like him rejoiced over that was out of the ordinary and would be shocking to those in bondage to the viewpoint of Satan s cosmic system. We will translate de, In fact. Romans 5:3, And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance. Not only is composed of the emphatic objective negative particle ou (ou)), not and the accusative neuter singular adverb monon (movnon), only. But also is composed of the adversative use of the conjunction alla (ajllav), but and the adjunctive use of the conjunction kai (kaiv), also. These four words form a correlative clause that emphatically state that Paul and his fellow like-minded believers not only (ou monon) rejoiced upon the 2008 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

2 confident expectation of receiving a resurrection body but also (alla kai) they rejoiced over the underserved suffering that they were experiencing. The adverb monon is employed with emphatic negative objective particle ou in order to state in emphatic terms that this rejoicing was not limited to the confident expectation of receiving a resurrection body. The emphatic negative adverb ou (ou)) (oo) is used to deny the reality of an alleged fact and is the clear cut, point-blank negative, objective, final. It emphatically negates the idea that Paul and his fellow like-minded Christians rejoicing was limited or relegated to the promise of receiving a resurrection body. The adverb monon is used to modify the statement kauchometha ep elpida tes doxes tou theou, we make it a habit to rejoice upon the confident expectation of the glory produced by (the Son of) God that appears in Romans 5:2 and is used to limit the extent of Paul s rejoicing. The expression alla kai is used ascensively meaning they introduce an additional thing that Paul and his fellow like-minded believers rejoiced in. The conjunction alla (a)llav) (al-lah) introduces an object that Paul and his fellow like-minded Christians rejoiced in, which from the human perspective was out of the ordinary and thus stood in direct contrast to rejoicing over the promise of a resurrection body. The conjunction kai (kaiv) is used to introduce an additional object that Paul and his fellow like-minded Christians rejoiced in. Therefore, we will translate these four particles ou monon alla kai, not only but also. This does not translate a word in the original text but is added by the translators since they interpret Paul employing the figure of ellipsis, thus they add the word in order to make a smoother translation into the English. Paul deliberately omits the accusative feminine singular form of the demonstrative pronoun houtos (ou!to$) (hoo-tos), this The reason being is that he is employing the figure of ellipsis so as to draw the reader s attention to the fact that he rejoiced over his underserved suffering. Corrected translation thus far of Romans 5:3: In fact, not only this but also. Romans 5:3, And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance. We exult is the first person plural present (deponent) middle indicative form of the verb kauchaomai (kauxavomai) (kow-khah-om-i), which means, to confidently rejoice. The object of the believer s rejoicing is identified by the prepositional phrase en tais thlipsesin, in our tribulations William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

3 The first person plural form of the verb is not an inclusive we referring to those sinners who have been declared justified by God through faith in Jesus Christ. But rather, it is an exclusive we meaning that it is referring to Paul and other communicators of the gospel of Jesus Christ and like-minded Christians since Paul can t speak for his audience because he hadn t met them as of yet. However, the exclusive we would serve as a reminder to his Christian readership that they ought to be rejoicing over the confident expectation of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ at the rapture or resurrection of the church. The present tense is customary indicating that Paul and other like-minded Christians make it a habit to find joy in their undeserved suffering since it will produce an essential part of Christ-like character, namely, perseverance. The middle voice is deponent meaning that it has an active voice meaning even though it has a middle voice form. The active voice meaning is stative meaning that the subject exists in the state indicating by the verb. Therefore, the deponent middle voice emphasizes that Paul and other like minded believers exist in the state of rejoicing over undeserved suffering since it produces perseverance. The indicative mood is declarative presenting this assertion as an unqualified statement. We will translate kauchaomai, we make it a habit to rejoice. Corrected translation thus far of Romans 5:3: In fact, not only this but we also make it a habit to rejoice. Romans 5:3, And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance. In our tribulations is composed of the preposition en (e)n), in and the articular dative feminine plural form of the noun thlipsis (qli~yi$) (thlip-sis), our tribulations. The noun thlipsis is derived from the root thleo (qlevw), which means to squeeze, to crush. Its cognate verb is thlibo (qlivbw), to oppress, affliction, press, crowd, which appears in classical Greek from Aristophanes onwards. Both the noun and the verb are regularly used in a figurative manner in secular Greek in reference to the difficulties and tribulations of life. The English word tribulation is derived from the Latin word tribulum, which literally refers to a thing with teeth that tears, and was a heavy piece of timber with spikes in it, used for threshing corn or grain. The tribulum was drawn over the grain and it separated the wheat from the chaff. Thlipsis may be either external or internal in origin and is occasionally found coupled with stenochoria as we saw in Romans 2: William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

4 Romans 2:9, There will be tribulation and distress upon each and every soul of man, who continue to accomplish that which is evil, namely, both to the Jew first and also to the Greek. From Thucydides onwards, stenochoria was used to express a narrow place, and hence being pressed by inner and outer difficulties. Thlipsis and stenochoria refer to the same thing under different images. The proper meaning of the former is pressure whereas the latter means narrowness of room, confined space, and the painfulness that is the result. The noun thlipsis was used in a medical sense of the pulse (pressure). It was used of a pressing together of grapes. The word conveys the idea of being squeezed or placed under pressure or crushed beneath a weight. When, according to the ancient law of England, those who willfully refused to plead guilty, had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death, this was literally thlipsis. The iron cage was stenochoria. Thlipsis thus refers not to mild discomfort but to great difficulty. Figuratively thlipsis pictures one being crushed by intense pressure, difficult circumstances, suffering or trouble pressing upon them from without. Thus persecution, affliction, distress, opposition or tribulation, all press hard on one s soul. Thlipsis does not refer to mild discomfort but to great difficulty. In Scripture the noun is most often used of outward difficulties, but it is also used of emotional stress and sorrows which weighs down a man s spirit like the sorrows and burden his heart. Thlipsis then includes the disappointments which can crush the life out of the one who is afflicted. The word picture that is derived from thlipsis is of one being squeezed. When you squeeze something, what comes out is what is on he inside. What comes out of you when you are experiencing thlipsis? Remember believers have Christ in them the hope of glory and therefore have the potential to exude the fragrance of His life when crushed. The Old Testament understands tribulation in a variety of ways. From the outset the Old Testament accepts tribulation and distress as inherent circumstances of life. Under certain circumstances they are the result of divine discipline or judgment. The Lord brings in tribulation at times as punishment for rebellion. He brings trouble and disaster upon a nation at times because of their wickedness. In the Old Testament there are many accounts of believers who endured much tribulation which was in fact undeserved suffering. Joseph, Moses, Jeremiah, Job and numerous other prophets of God suffering tribulation undeservedly. Tribulation and adversity is the lot of God s people who are living in enemy territory. Satan and his cosmic system will persecute the Lord s people William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

5 The history of the nation of Israel is marked by bitter persecution from the kingdom of darkness against the nation of Israel. The noun thlipsis appears 45 times in the Greek New Testament and never appears in the literal sense but only in the metaphorical sense. In the Greek New Testament, the noun thlipsis is used with reference to Daniel s Seventieth, which is also called by students of prophecy, the Great Tribulation Period (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:2; 7:14). Like the Old Testament, the New Testament considers tribulation and trial as part of the natural circumstances of life in the devil s cosmic system and to further spiritual growth. The noun thlipsis is an integral part of the church age believer s spiritual life, which is an extension of Christ s spiritual life since the church age believer is in union with Him and a member of His body and His future bride. The word is used in the Greek New Testament in relation to the undeserved suffering of the believer (Romans 5:3; 8:35). Romans 8:35, Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? John 16:33, These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. Tribulation and undeserved suffering will be the lot of God s people while living in enemy territory. The problems, difficulties and adversities which take place in a believer s life were already decreed by God the Father in eternity past to occur and are now controlled in time by the Lord Jesus Christ in hypostatic union. Therefore, the believer should have confidence and comfort in the midst of these things. God s will, purpose and plan will be accomplished regardless of a believer s difficult circumstances or seemingly insurmountable problems because God ordained them to take place in eternity past under the divine decree. Therefore, He has already provided a solution for every problem, difficulty and adversity in life through the appropriation by faith of the promises in the Word of God William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

6 The decree of God is His eternal, holy, wise and sovereign purpose, comprehending at once all things that ever were or will be in their causes, courses, conditions, successions, and relations and determining their certain futurition (i.e., that they will certainly take place). When I say comprehending I mean that the omniscience of God is the source of the divine decrees. When I say determining I mean that the sovereignty of God choosing before anything has existed which things would actually become historical events. The decree of God is His eternal and immutable will, regarding the future existence of events, which will happen in time and regarding the precise order and manner of their occurrence. The decree of God is the chosen and adopted plan of all God s works. The decree of God is His eternal purpose according to the counsels of His own will, whereby for His own glory He has foreordained whatever comes to pass. The decree of God is the sovereign choice of the divine will (His attribute of sovereignty) and mentality (His omniscience) by which all things are brought into being and controlled, made subject to His pleasure, and producing His glorification (Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:9). The will of God refers here to His sovereign decision as to what would come into existence; in other words, the divine decrees. This will and purpose of God originated within Himself long before any creature of any kind existed. His will is always consistent with His perfect essence. The will and purpose of God-that is, the divine decree-was objectively designed for His own glory, pleasure, and satisfaction. The decree of God is His eternal purpose, according to the counsels of His own will, whereby for His own glory He has foreordained whatever comes to pass. The decree of God is the sovereign choice of the divine will (His attribute of sovereignty) and mentality (His omniscience) by which all things are brought into being and controlled, made subject to His pleasure, and producing His glorification. Proverbs 8:15-16, By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly. Job 23:13-14, But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such decrees are with Him. God the Father in eternity past decreed every circumstance and adversity and prosperity in the believer s life. Ecclesiastes 7:14, In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider -- God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

7 The believer s awareness of the Lord Jesus Christ controlling human history will provide the believer with confidence and will anchor his soul. Hebrews 6:17-19, In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposes with an oath, in order that by two immutable things (1-Who and What God is, 2- What He did for us in eternity past), in which it is impossible for God to lie (perfect integrity of God), we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the confidence set before us. This confidence we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil. Isaiah 40, Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. A voice is calling, Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. A voice says, Call out. Then he answered, What shall I call out? All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, Here is your God! Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before Him, they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless. To whom then will 2008 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

8 you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him? As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, a goldsmith plates it with gold, and a silversmith fashions chains of silver. He who is too impoverished for such an offering selects a tree that does not rot; He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman to prepare an idol that will not totter. Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. Scarcely have they been planted, scarcely have they been sown, scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, but He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the storm carries them away like stubble. To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, My way is hidden from the LORD, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Therefore, no matter how adverse the circumstances, a believer can accomplish the Father s will. In fact, the worse the circumstances, the more God can be glorified. This principle that no matter how adverse the circumstances, a person can accomplish the Father s will was realized at the Cross when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ suffered as an innocent Man, undeservedly and unjustly as a common criminal. The worst and most terrible adversity ever suffered by a human being was when our Lord was crucified and voluntarily died a substitutionary spiritual death for all mankind in order to accomplish the Father s will that mankind be reconciled to Himself. Other men in history have suffered nobly and undeservedly such as in time of war but their suffering cannot compare to the suffering of our Lord since our Lord was impeccable and all mankind are sinners (Rm. 3:10). Therefore, our Lord s underserved suffering was superior to the undeserved suffering of any person in history by virtue of the fact that our Lord was sinless William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

9 1 Peter 3:18, For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. Thus, our Lord was the only human being in history whose undeserved suffering had merit with the Father. In eternity past, the Father ordained the undeserved suffering of our Lord, and which undeserved suffering was to accomplish the Father s will of reconciling the entire human race to Himself. Acts 2:22-24, Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. Therefore, there is no circumstance or adversity or situation or person or angel that can stop God from accomplishing His purpose in the world and in history. Isaiah 46:3-11, Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who have been borne by Me from birth and have been carried from the womb; Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you. To whom would you liken Me and make Me equal and compare Me, that we would be alike? Those who lavish gold from the purse and weigh silver on the scale hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; They bow down, indeed they worship it. They lift it upon the shoulder and carry it; They set it in its place and it stands there. It does not move from its place. Though one may cry to it, it cannot answer; It cannot deliver him from his distress. Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors. Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure ; Calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it. Not only is there no circumstance or adversity or situation or person or angel that can stop God from accomplishing His purpose in the world and in history but also there is there no circumstance or adversity or situation or person or angel that can separate the believer from the love of God William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9

10 Romans 8:28-39, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Every instance of suffering has a reason and an explanation. Christian suffering can be understood most clearly in relation to the individual believer s spiritual growth. There are three agencies that God employs to bring about suffering: (1) Old sin nature (2) Cosmic system (3) Satan. Negative categories of suffering: (1) Self-induced misery: Suffering from making bad decisions (2) Divine discipline: Suffering designed to get to confess our sins and get back us in fellowship with God. The believer who is executing the plan of God and learning Bible doctrine will go through suffering which is undeserved (1 Thess. 3:4). 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4, Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. It is called undeserved because they did not bring this suffering upon themselves (1 Pet. 2:19-20; 2 Cor. 1:6) William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10

11 1 Peter 2:19-20, For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth. And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered not threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him (the Father) who judges righteously. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Worthy of praise and glorification is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted (1st class condition: and we are ), it is for your comfort and prosperity; or if we are comforted (1st class condition: and we are ), it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our confidence on behalf of you is sure, knowing with out a doubt that as you are partners of our sufferings, so also of our comfort. Suffering for blessing is designed to build up your spiritual muscles and to bring you to spiritual maturity, thus bringing glory to Him in the Angelic Conflict. There are three categories of suffering for blessing for the believer advances to spiritual maturity. (1) Providential preventive suffering is experienced by the believer at the 1 st stage of spiritual adulthood, spiritual self-esteem and is designed to keep the believer from getting arrogant as well as to advance the believer to the 2 nd stage of spiritual adulthood, which is spiritual independence (2 Cor. 12:7). 2 Corinthians 12:1-8, Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago -- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows -- such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man -- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows -- was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with 2008 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11

12 more than he sees in me or hears from me. Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me -- to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. (2) Momentum testing is experienced by the believer at the 2 nd stage of spiritual adulthood, which is spiritual independence. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 teaches the principle of momentum testing, which is experienced by the believer at spiritual autonomy and is designed to advance him to spiritual maturity and comes in four categories: (1) In slanders : People Testing (2) In pressures : Thought Testing (3) In persecutions : System Testing (4) In stresses : Disaster Testing. There are 2 categories of disaster testing: (1) Personal disaster. (2) Historical, or national disaster. Personal disasters: (1) Death of loved ones. (2) Loss of reputation. (3) Loss of success. (4) Loss of employment. (5) Loss of money (6) Loss of property (7) Hunger, thirst, exposure to heat or cold. Historical disasters: (1) Blizzards (2) Hurricanes (3) Tornadoes (4) Floods (5) Earthquakes (6) Tidal waves (7) Volcanic eruptions (8) Epidemics (9) Economic depression (10) Wars. (3) Evidence testing is experienced by the believer in spiritual maturity and is the privilege of the believer to become a witness for the Prosecution (God) in the rebuttal phase of Satan s appeal trial (Job 1-2). The appeal trial of Satan is human history and is the result of God granting Satan s his appeal after God judged him and the fallen angels and sentenced them to the lake of fire forever for their rebellion in eternity past. A comparison of Scripture with Scripture leads to the conclusion that God held a trial in eternity past. In the prehistoric trial God was the judge and the prosecution and Satan was the defense. God considered all the evidence and pronounced a guilty verdict sentencing Satan and all the fallen angels to eternal fire (Matt. 25:41). Revelation 20:10 teaches that this sentence will not be carried out until the end of human history. The elapse of time between the sentence and its execution indicates that human history is part of this momentous trial, the appeal trial of Satan William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12

13 Also, the Scriptures teach that Satan is the god of this world at this time and (2 Corinthians 4:4) deceives the entire world (1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:10). Thus it can be inferred that God has granted Satan an appeal of some sort. Further biblical evidence for the prehistoric trial of fallen angels is found in Satan s titles. The words devil and Satan are not names but titles, both of which mean accuser or adversary as an attorney accuses someone in court. He is called the devil and Satan because he was the defense attorney who represented himself and the fallen angels at the prehistoric trial and because he continues to act as an attorney now that the trial has entered its appeal phase during human history (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-5; Zech. 3:1-2). Human history is the appeal trial of Satan in which Satan as the defense attorney of the fallen angels is attempting through human history to prove his case before the Supreme Court of Heaven that he is justified in living independently of God. Evidence Testing is a cross-examination by Satan and comes in 2 categories: (1) Relation to the plan of God. (2) Relation to the circumstances of life. Job is the example of a mature believer who received evidence testing in relation to the circumstances of life. His testing was in 3 parts: (1) Loss of prosperity (Job 1). (2) Loss of health (Job 2:1-10). (3) Loss of friends (Job 11-13; 16:1-5). Evidence testing is generally administered by Satan but not always. God has established rules, which restrict Satan from taking unfair advantage of any mature believer. Each mature believer can be entered into Satan s appeal trial as a witness for the prosecution. He is another proof of God s grace and of the efficacy of divine invisible assets against all obstacles and distractions along the route of spiritual advance. Once God has presented a mature believer as evidence, Satan has the right of cross-examination. He uses suffering in the attempt to break down the believer, to force him to abandon God s resources. After reaching maturity, the believer receives some of the most intense pressure he will face in his lifetime. Because no believer could pass this test without the strength of maturity, evidence testing is the monopoly of mature believers! There are two categories of evidence testing: (1) Relation to the plan of God. (2) Relation to the circumstances of life. The believer has no choice in the matter. God sovereignly decides which type of evidence testing an individual will receive. The humanity of Christ underwent evidence testing at the beginning of His 3 year earthly ministry. He was tested in relation to the plan of God. The three parts of His evidence testing challenged His relationship to: (1) God the Holy Spirit (Matt. 4:1-4). (2) The Word of God (Matt. 4:5-7). (3) The Plan of God (Matt. 4:8-10) William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13

14 Job is the example of a mature believer who received evidence testing in relation to the circumstances of life. His testing was also in three parts: (1) Loss of prosperity (Job 1). (2) Loss of health (Job 2:1-10). (3) Loss of friends (Job 11-13; 16:1-5). Evidence testing is generally administered by Satan but not always. God has established rules, which restrict Satan from taking unfair advantage of any mature believer. Job 1:12, Then the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him. So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. It is a privilege to suffer undeservedly for Christ s sake. Philippians 1:29, It has been graciously granted (the privilege) because of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also, to suffer (hardship) because of Him. God never permits us to undergo any testing that we don t have the capacity for. 1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Just as the Father s plan for the Lord Jesus Christ involved undeserved suffering so the plan of God for our lives involves undeserved suffering. In 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:18, Paul writes to the Corinthians regarding his experience with undeserved suffering and his attitude regarding it. 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:18, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, Light shall shine out of darkness, is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 2008 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14

15 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE, we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace, which is spreading to more and more people, may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things, which are seen, but at the things, which are not seen; for the things, which are seen, are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. In Philippians chapter three, Paul expresses his desire to be identified with Christ in His suffering. Philippians 3:10, that I come to know Him experientially and the power from His resurrection and the participation in His sufferings by my becoming like Him with respect to His death. That I come to know Him experientially refers to experiencing fellowship with Christ after salvation by experiencing identification with Him in His death and resurrection. This is the result of being obedient to the Lord s command to self-sacrificially love one s fellow believer as Christ self-sacrificially loved all men. The power from His resurrection refers to experiencing the divine omnipotence available to the believer because of his identification with Christ in His resurrection. This is accomplished by the believer exercising faith in the Spirit s revelation in the Word of God that he has been identified with Christ in His resurrection. The participation in His sufferings by my becoming like Him with respect to His death : refers to the believer denying self and taking up his cross and experiencing identification with Christ in His death. This is accomplished by exercising faith in the Spirit s revelation in the Word of God that he has been identified with Christ in His death, which results in underserved suffering. Undeserved suffering acts as a bridge to experiencing identification with Christ in His resurrection or in other words, it gives the believer an opportunity to apply the Word of the Cross, which in turn enables the believer to experience identification with Christ in His resurrection William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15

16 Philippians 3:11, If somehow (by becoming like Him with respect to His death), I may attain to the exit-resurrection, namely, the one out from the (spiritually) dead ones. 1 Corinthians 1:18, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being delivered it is the power of God. The believer can only interpret his cross by our Lord s cross since the believer s spiritual life is an extension of His and finds its source in His spiritual life. Philippians 2:5-8, Everyone continue thinking this (according to humility) within yourselves, which was also in (the mind of) Christ Jesus, Who although existing from eternity past in the essence of God, He never regarded existing equally in essence with God an exploitable asset. On the contrary, He denied Himself of the independent function of His deity by having assumed the essence of a slave when He was born in the likeness of men. In fact, although He was discovered in outward appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by having entered into obedience to the point of spiritual death even death on a Cross. The cross is the chief mark of the Christian since the Holy Spirit states in the Word of God that the believer has been crucified, died and buried with Christ. Romans 6:4, Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:6, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:8, Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. The believer applies the Word of the Cross by appropriating by faith the Spirit s revelation in the Word of God that he has been crucified, died and buried with Christ. Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. It is only when the believer appropriates by faith the Spirit s revelation in the Word of God that he has been crucified, died and buried with Christ that he can live in the life of Christ and experience the power of God in his life. Applying the Word of the Cross refers to becoming His disciple and imitating the Lord Jesus Christ and carrying one s own cross. Matthew 10:24-39, A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, 2008 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16

17 how much more will they malign the members of his household! Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. Taking up one s cross means acquiring God s viewpoint of ourselves, namely that the following has been crucified with Christ at the Cross: (1) Self (Ga. 2:20). (2) Flesh (Rm. 6:6, 11; Ga. 5:24). (3) World (Ga. 6:14). (4) Rudiments of the world (Col. 2:20). Taking up one s cross is being willing to experience identification with Christ in His death on a daily basis. Luke 9:23-25, And He was saying to them all, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? The believer must deny self in order to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ and carry his own cross. Luke 14:25-27, Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Self-denial is the root from which self-sacrifice springs. In self-denial, selfsacrifice is tested. It will cost us something to be the Lord s disciple William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17

18 Luke 14:28-35, For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Self-denial and carrying one s own cross means that the believer must surrender his will for the will of God. Luke 22:39-43, And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, Pray that you may not enter into temptation. And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. The experience of the humanity of Christ in hypostatic union in the Garden of Gethsemane teaches us that prayer is not necessarily unanswered when it is not answered exactly as we would wish, which is clearly stated in Hebrews 5:7 that our Lord s prayers were answered. Hebrews 5:7, In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. In our experience, as in our Lord s, sometimes it is only through tears and heartbreak that we reach the place where we can say with all our hearts, Not my will Father, but Yours be done. The Father is attempting to conform us into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ so that we might adopt our Lord s attitude towards the Father s will no matter how uncomfortable that might be for us. The Lord Jesus Christ became a human being to bring us back to the happiness and joy of doing God s will. The great purpose of redemption was to make us and our wills free from the power of sin and to lead us again to live and do the will of God William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 18

19 In His life on earth, He demonstrated to us what it is to live only for the will of God. In His death and resurrection, He won for us the power to live and do the will of God as He had done. In Gethsemane, the Lord Jesus sacrifice of His own will reached its height but what took place took place there was only the perfect expression of what had rendered His entire life acceptable to the Father. That man has a will other than God s is not sin. It is when man clings to His own will when it is seen to be contrary to the will of the Creator that sin occurs. As a human being, the Lord Jesus had a human will, the natural, though not sinful, desires that belong to human nature. As a man, He did not always know beforehand what the will of God was. He had to wait, be taught of God, and learn from time to time what that will was. But when the will of His Father was known to Him, then He was always ready to give up His own human will and do the will of the Father. It was this obedience that constituted the perfection and the value of His selfsacrifice. He had once and for all surrendered Himself as a man, to live only in and for the will of God. He was always ready, even to the sacrifice of Gethsemane and Calvary, to do that will alone. We must give up our lives in order to win others to God and it is a death in which all thought of saving self is lost in that of saving others. It is only when we die to self meaning we surrender our will in order to do the will of God, that we produce fruit in our lives for God. Bearing fruit is the production of Christ-like character by the Holy Spirit in the believer who is obedient to the Word of God. John 12:20-26, Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. Undeserved suffering acts as a bridge to experiencing identification with Christ in His resurrection or in other words, it gives the believer an opportunity to apply the Word of the Cross, which in turn enables the believer to experience identification with Christ in His resurrection. 1 Corinthians 1:18, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being delivered it is the power of God William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 19