This sermon delves into the concepts of Persecution, Affliction, and Tribulation as outlined in the Bible. It emphasizes the inevitability of facing these challenges as a Christian, the importance of finding hope and comfort in God's promises during times of affliction and tribulation, and the need to persevere in prayer and faith. The speaker highlights the significance of rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, and continuing in prayer amidst trials, while reassuring that God's comfort and deliverance will sustain believers through all challenges.

I would like for us tonight to look at three words. I would like for us tonight to look at three words in the Bible. Persecution, Affliction and Tribulation. What is the difference, you may ask, between Persecution, Affliction and Tribulation? Well, let's look at the Scriptures, at what God says concerning these three things. Let's look at the Scriptures, at what God says concerning these three things. Firstly, Persecution. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. These staggering words are found in 2 Timothy 3, verse 12. Isaiah prophesied in chapter 59, verse 15. Isaiah prophesied in chapter 59, verse 15, that a time would come, a time would come when he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. The margin says, would be treated as mad, would be accounted as mad, would be treated as someone who's mad. Now, in its context, Isaiah is prophesying here about the gospel dispensation. He is prophesying about the gospel dispensation. A time would come in the gospel dispensation when he that turns from a life of evil to a life of godliness would be accounted, would be treated as someone who's mad. I would say that the most accurate interpretation of this verse, in its context, would go like this. A time would come when he that turns from a life of evil to a life of godliness, as a result of the gospel, would be persecuted, would be persecuted. Now, beloved, 30 years ago, 30 years ago, as a young Christian, I don't think that I would have accepted these words as relevant to this day and age that you and I are living in concerning the church. But in the last 30 years, over the last 30 years, something has happened in this world that has staggered me deeply. The avalanche, the avalanche of moral decadence and evil that has swept across this world, affecting and swaying and conditioning the minds of the masses to hate the good and love the evil. I have become deeply and fearfully aware that the stage has been set, I have become deeply and fearfully aware that the stage has been set to usher in an era of unprecedented global persecution against all that will live godly in Christ Jesus. Not against all that will profess to know Christ Jesus, but against all that will live godly in Christ Jesus. There's a great difference, beloved. Now, before we go on any further into the sermon, before we move on into the Word of God, I'd like for us just to, once again, in the context of these verses, just look at these two verses again at what God is saying. Isaiah 59, verse 15, begins with these words, Yea, truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil maketh himself appraised, will be hunted out to persecute, literally, maketh himself appraised. Truth faileth. I would say what is being implied here very clearly is that as a result of truth failing to be preached, somewhere in the gospel dispensation, there will come a time when truth fails to be preached as God intended it to be in the so-called church. As a result of liberal theology affecting the pulpits of the evangelical church across the world, there will come a famine of the Word of God. As God intended it to be preached, there will become a scarcity of the Word of God. And then, a remnant will be left that will be willing to make great sacrifice to travel, to find anywhere where there is truth preached still. It will not be easy to find it anywhere. Where there still will be a famine, a scarcity of the Word of God will come upon the evangelical era. Where the sharp edge of the sword will lose its cutting power because it's watered down. The way God intended it to be reaching out to man and affecting the church first will be lost as we are scared of offending. And we lose the sharp edge of the sword, of the spirit, through liberal theology, through fear of offending man, because so much of the church is in the world, so much of the world is in the church, that we're scared of offending for losing the crown. So truth fails. And as a result, I believe, of this moment that Isaiah prophesies will come, somewhere in the gospel dispensation, he that departs from evil, he that still will be willing at any cost to live this standard of this book in its unadulterated form and to want it and to desire it to be preached in its form as God intended it to be preached, he that will be willing for that cost, no matter what the cost is, will be ostracized and will be persecuted. But in its context, clearly it's being implied that the persecution will begin in the so-called church. Yea, truth fails to be preached as God intended it to be because of, oh brother, sister, books have to be written today to explain away why Jesus didn't mean that. And it stands so that we don't offend the crowds. If only we just said it and left it to the Holy Ghost to sort out those who don't want the truth. And those who do will remain. I believe that as a result of this truth failing, right within the house of God, the so-called churches, the evangelical pulpits, the churches that say they profess the truth, who use the terms but deny the power thereof, they will become an ostracizing of anyone who preaches, an undermining of anyone in your land who preaches the standard of this book uncompromised. They will be undermined, they will be ostracized, they will be persecuted one way or the other and beginning in the house of God. Can you imagine the state of the persecution out there? Because if the salt of the earth has lost its effect, if the salt of the earth, which is supposed to be the protection of the world from just destroying itself from corruption, if we have lost our purity, our effectiveness, oh, the world will trample on us. The cost to society is worthless. And oh beloved, can you imagine the state of the world if there's persecution in the church itself because of the state? The so-called church is unacceptable to this word. Can you imagine the persecution out there because the state the world will get into when there's no protection from the salt of the earth left as God intended it to be? Can you imagine the persecution out there? Yea, truth faileth, God says through Isaiah. And he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. Through Timothy 3 verse 12, Yea, and all, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But the next verse, verse 13 says, But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. What does that mean? Evil men, God says, in this time which will usher in unprecedented global persecution against those who dare to still live the standard of this book. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. The word seducers means imposters. People who profess to be Christians, they have the terms, but they deny the power thereof. They deny it. Evil men, oh, I can understand evil men waxing worse and worse in the last days, but when God says imposters of the church, seducers, they shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. I do not believe that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution in times of revival. Your land, for over 100 years, had revival power sweeping across this land from one side to the other as no other nation in history. That is why you became the greatest land on earth, only because there was a time your people sought God for over 100 years, and there are millions. It started with Jonathan Edwards in New England, a flame that lit the fire that spread, where millions were affected through George Whitefield, but the flame couldn't be put out. Charles Finney came. Don't deny there was a Charles Finney, because you disagree with some of his statements, you theologians. You may as well deny there's an America. And don't undermine his fruit, because the prayer revival was the fruit of Finney. It was there, those converts, starting with Jeremiah C. Lanphier, saved through Finney. There in Fulton Street, Dutch Reformed churches underneath the Twin Towers, a little building in Fulton Street. And God broke through in the greatest revival in the history of the world. No other revival in the world ever accounted for so many people coming to Christ right into the Civil War, where Moody came along at the height of it, where millions turned to God in one land. And who was in the prayer revival? Finney's converts, friends. They were the ones that in their thousands gathered. They were there. Don't say there was no fruit. Goodness me, how can you deny the man existed just because you disagree with some of his statements? Be careful, theologians of America. You bury God just now if you're scared of doctrine being touched. No, I believe in the revival times when a land seeks God as the dead in America. All who will live godly in Christ Jesus will be respected, will be revered, will be emulated by the youth, will be so a drawing power to follow after. They will be revered by a land. All across the land, the majority will revere such people when the majority have a fear of God. But when for over a hundred years liberal theology has crept in and the Holy Ghost has been quenched and quenched and quenched and quenched for fear of man, and when truth fails to be preached for over a hundred years generally across the land and less and less and more and more deceiving and less and less of the truth of fear of offense, so there's no sharp end of the sword anymore, lovely eloquent words and perfect doctrine, but no conviction that makes men writhe through their sin. I believe after this time, America, the greatness you once had, you're about to lose. Anything left was because of the greatness of your land through seeking God. You won't have anything left unless you seek Him fast again. I believe after all this time of truth failing where even men and seducers are waxing worse and worse and worse and worse and worse, it's unbelievable how the seducers are professing to know Christ and the rubbish they're preaching is acceptable as if it's the message of God. I believe in this time all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, I believe this will usher in an era of unprecedented persecution against all that will live godly in Christ Jesus. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, but, but, Jesus, Jesus said in Matthew 5 verse 10, Blessed, blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake. Blessed, oh I love Christ's words, every word is treasured by me. Blessed, blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which are before you. But, beloved, but, beloved, we must be careful now. We must be careful now. Jesus went on to warn in verse 38, Ye have heard that it hath been said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I say unto you, I say unto you that ye resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Verse 43, ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy, but I say unto you, I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. Pray for them. 1 Peter 2 verse 19, For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief. This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently. But if when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently. This is acceptable with God. For even here unto where ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who when he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judges righteously. 1 Peter 4 verse 12, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings. But when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy, if ye be reproached for the name of Christ. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, how much happier ye that the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on his behalf. Philippians 1 verse 29, For unto you it is given, on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Can I repeat that, beloved? For unto you it is given, on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. But I would like for us tonight to look at three words in the Bible. I would like for us tonight to look at three words in the Bible. Persecution, Affliction, and Tribulation. What is the difference, you may ask, between persecution and affliction? Well, let's look at the Scriptures, at what God says concerning affliction. Let's look at the Scriptures, at what God says concerning affliction. In Psalm 34 verse 19, we read, Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Oh, it's always the righteous that matter to the devil. Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Many are the afflictions. Many are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivereth him out of them all. I don't know about you, brethren, but I sometimes feel like I'm a Pentecostal when I want to shout hallelujah. I'm not a Pentecostal. Oh, don't get offended if you are. I better be careful here. Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Many, God says, are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivereth him out of them all. James says to us in chapter 5 verse 10, Take, my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering 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. 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. Now, Job is the only man James refers to as an example of someone who suffered affliction in the Bible. Job is the only man James refers to as an example of someone who suffered affliction in the Bible. So, let's look. Let's look at the life of Job. Let's look at the many afflictions of this righteous man, Job. There was a man in the land of Urs whose name was Job and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and eschewed evil. He hated evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels and five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred she-asses and a very great household so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses every one his day, every one on his birthday and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so in the days that their feasting were gone about that Job sent and sanctified them and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Thus did Job continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God the angels came to present themselves before the Lord. There was a day when the sons of God the angels came to present themselves before the Lord. And Satan Satan came also among them. Satan came also among them. And the Lord the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? But there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and estueth evil. Then Satan answered the Lord and said, Doth Job fear God? For nought hast thou not made in heads about him and about his house and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now and touch all that he hath. Put forth thine hand now and touch all that he hath and he will curse thee. He will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath all that he hath is in thy power. Only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house. And there came a messenger unto Job and said, The oxen, the oxen were ploughing and the asses feeding beside them. And the Sabians fell upon them and took them away. Yea, they have slain the servant with the edge of the sword. And I only am escaped, I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, while he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven and hath burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them. And I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, while he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, the Chaldeans made out three bands and fell upon the camels and have carried them away. Yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword. And I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, while he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house. And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness and smote the four corners of the house and it fell upon the young men. And they are dead, they are dead. And I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then, then Job arose, then Job arose and rent his mantle, he tore his garment and saved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshipped and worshipped and said, Naked, naked came I out of my mother's womb and naked shall I return that the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this, in all this Job sinned not. In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly. Again, again there was a day when the sons of God, the angels came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth, from going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? Hast thou considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth? There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil and still he holdeth fast his integrity although thou movest me against him to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the Lord and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now and touch his bone and his flesh and he will curse thee. He will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord, the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord and smoked Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd, a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself withal. And he sat down among the ashes then said his wife unto him, then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Do you still profess to be righteous? And die! Die! But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What, shall we receive good at the hand of God? And shall we not receive evil? Do we only trust God and serve God and love God when everything goes well? Do we cease to trust God and serve Him and love Him if things go wrong? What, shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. In all this did not Job sin with his lips. 1 Peter 5 verse 8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplice in your brethren that are in the world. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplice in your brethren that are in the world. O beloved, Job was not the only righteous man to suffer many afflictions. Job was not the only righteous man to suffer the loss of all his material possessions. In one moment, I have been safe for 34 years and I have lost count of the homes upon homes that I went to of wealthy men, men who were born in wealth, unbelievable wealth. And in one moment, everything they had on earth was taken from them. Taken! In one moment they stood with nothing. I have been on these wealthy men's farms, men who knew such wealth. Godly men. Godly men. And I have trembled as they stood, everything taken in one moment from them. Every material possession they have in the world, bankrupt, totally bankrupt. And I have watched these men as my heart has trembled. As they, in their godliness, tears coming down their face, have lifted up their hands without any bitterness against God, in a holy resonation, no matter what God was doing. And they have cried out, The Lord gave. The Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this they sent not, nor charged God foolishly. Job was not the only righteous man to suffer many afflictions. Job was not the only righteous man to suffer the loss of all his children. I have seen many righteous homes where all the children were taken in one moment. Gone. I come from a land which has had terrorism for 30 years, like you're only beginning to taste now. Where through politics men would drive lorries in front of buildings that were filled with bombs. Where 200 people were blown to pieces, maimed. Where day after day the front pages of our newspaper, death was just everywhere. Bombs and... How many godly homes I've been in, in our country where their children were just in the wrong moment, standing in the wrong place because of politics. They were mowed down with guns. Mowed down on their way home. Godly young boys and girls. Mowed down. I have been in homes of godliness. When the news came, and I stood and I shook and I trembled, and my heart sunk and tears came down my face. But what shook me most of all was the father and the mother. How they lifted their hands with no anger at God. It is unfathomable that the godly can do this, not only job. Tears coming down their face, and they have cried, The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this they sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job was not the only man that lost his health, beloved. He was not the only righteous man that lost his health and suddenly found excruciating sickness and pain. It is unfathomable how a godly man can suffer so. Oh, I have seen so many of the godly who were strapping men, so strapping, so strong they could do anything, they were so strong. And women who were capable of anything in their health and their abilities, I have seen them in one moment suddenly stricken with disease. Again and again, suddenly frail. Weeks later, hanging on to life. In such excruciating pain as I sat beside them in the beds of their hospital I watched these godly men, who once were strong, now in excruciating weakness and pain, lifting up their hands and crying in holy resignation, no anger at God's doings. Though he slay me, though he slay me, yet will I trust him. Oh, Job was not the only man to suffer many afflictions, though he was righteous. Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Oh, in the midst of all his sufferings, Job cried out these staggering words, beloved. In the midst of all his sufferings, Job cried out these staggering words. When he hath tried me, when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold from the fire. 1 Peter 1 verse 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. Oh, the Lord's words are precious, you know. He weighs them up, if need be, child, for a season. Listen carefully to the heart of God, the heartbeat of God for your good, no matter what he allows the devil to do. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. And that word means afflictions, sufferings, literally. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, child, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith, the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold, that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. James says to us in chapter 1 verse 2, My brethren, my brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations. The same word here, afflictions, suffering. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. But James goes on. He goes on to ask us compassionately in chapter 5 verse 13, Is any among you afflicted? Do you know those words were written 2,000 years ago? But they were meant for you. And I have the right to ask you tonight from the heart of God, as James was asking those in the early days who were being afflicted. I have the right to say it from the heart of God and to give you the answer, as James gave them the answer. Is any among you afflicted? Is any among you afflicted? And then James says three words. Have you noticed that? Just three words. And he leaves the whole thing. Let him pray. Why did James say that? He didn't go on to some big discourse you know now about afflictions. He asked this question in simplicity to us. To this day, God asks us, Is any among you afflicted? And all God would say through James is, Let him pray. You see, beloved James knew that afflictions, more than anything else, lead us into a life of prayer that we would never know. Afflictions, more than anything else, lead us into a life of ceaseless prayer, of praying without ceasing, a life consumed by prayer, a life of deep communing with God that we would never, ever, ever have been driven to if it wasn't for afflictions, if everything was fine, if there were no trials or sufferings or sorrows or tragedies. God knows, God knows, God knows it backfires on the devil. Virtually everything will backfire on the devil if you just keep your eyes on God and His word. Oh, we are driven through afflictions to the university level in the school of God, beloved. The highest level attainable, this side of eternity, comes through afflictions. No wonder God doesn't worry too much about our comforts and our health and our wealth. He's got such a short time to protect you through the fires, to refine you and to drive you to know what it is to walk with God closer than Enoch walked with God, I guarantee you. And God knows how to get you to the university level, if only He can trust you. The devil wants to destroy you, but if you keep your eyes on Jesus, it backfires on Satan and you just come out to the university and God's school, praying without ceasing, entering into deep communing with God you would never ever have experienced in life, to draw strength and to find grace to survive, to find grace to take another step that you would never ever have sought God for in this way if it wasn't for afflictions. But I would like for us tonight to look at three words in the Bible. I would like for us tonight to look at three words in the Bible. Persecution, affliction and tribulation. What is the difference? What is the difference, you may ask, between persecution, affliction and tribulation? Well, persecution is the devil working through people to hurt us. Persecution is the devil working through people to hurt us. Affliction is the devil working through circumstances to hurt us. Affliction is the devil working through circumstances to hurt us. And tribulation is the devil coming against us in total onslaught. Oh, oh, Satan in despair, beloved. That's the only word I can honestly use about why this happened. As he sees, as he sees God's grace given to you, all the grace you need, above the grace you need, carrying you through triumphantly through any persecution he sends upon you, through any afflictions he sends upon you, in anger and desperation, Satan rises up against us in total onslaught, in great tribulation, in great tribulation. Do you know the only time Paul ever spoke about tribulation in his own life, the only occasion in the whole Bible where Paul ever spoke the word tribulation coming upon him as a person, he said these words, we were pressed out of measure, so much so that we despaired of life itself, in Attia, in Asia. Let's look at the Scriptures, at what God says concerning tribulation. Let's look at the Scriptures, at what God says concerning tribulation. John 16, verse 33, Jesus says, In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Oh, I want to be a Pentecostal again, forgive me, hallelujah. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. What does Jesus mean by this? In the world ye shall have tribulation. It's true, child. You are going to face moments where the devil is going to be so angry and so desperate, in his total desperation against you, in his anger, he will come against you that you will be pressed out of measure. There's going to be moments as a Christian, though you're my child, that you will despair of life itself. It's true, these moments are going to come, but I haven't lost control. Don't think you're going to be destroyed. In the world ye shall have tribulation, it will happen, but be of good cheer. Don't lose hope. Don't you lose hope now, I have overcome the world, greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. I hope you believe it, Christ in you is the hope of glory. We have this treasure within earthen vessels of the excellency, the power maybe of God, not of us, greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. Beloved, Jesus is greater than the devil, I hope you know that. Jesus is not a million times greater than the devil, by the by. He is about a billion times a trillion times a zillion times another billion, and then we haven't come anywhere near. And if you don't know that, you stagger me, you stagger me, if you don't know that. Do you honestly think God will let you be destroyed? Do you honestly think that Christ in you is not able to keep you? He will never suffer you to be tempted, to be tested, to be tried above that you're able to bear. If he does, that's a lie. Do you think God could lie, brother? Tell me, answer God right now, in your heart. In the world you shall have tribulations, I hope. I won't deny it to you, I'm going to tell you. Heaven's coming, but in the world you have to do with the devil, up there no devil. But here we have to be honest from the pulpit or get out of the pulpit. Tell them it's not heaven on earth, it's not prosperity, it's not heaven on earth. That's a lie. You'll have people bitter against God and man if you tell them it's heaven on earth. No, no, in the world you shall have tribulation. But, but, child, be of good cheer, don't you lose hope, I in you, greater than the devil I will overcome, I will overcome him, and I'm in you. Acts 14, verse 22, Paul said these words, that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom. Oh, we told the converts now what Jesus says, we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom. Don't let's hide it now and say that it isn't so, don't let's lie. If Paul had to say it, we'd better say it, preachers, and say it clearly, that they know it's coming. But not to put fear in their heart, to tell them, don't you lose hope now. Romans 12, verse 12, isn't it Paul's staggering words, rejoicing, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. There's three good points for you, preachers. We all try to find three good points before we start. Here's three, I want to preach that one day. Rejoicing, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. What does that mean, rejoicing in hope? Well, hope maketh not ashamed. If you don't have hope, you'll be ashamed of being a Christian in this world, let me tell you. But where does hope come from, that you can rejoice in it? David is the first one to give us a glimpse of what God, why God gives us hope. He said, remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort and my affliction, for thy word hath quickened me, O beloved. The promises of God are there to tell you about affliction, about persecution, about tribulation, but to tell you the Lord is going to deliver you out of it all. Oh, don't you believe those promises? That's where we get hope, that God has a holy integrity at stake. He has a holy obligation. There's a holy obligation. God is obligated in His holiness. You might say that's irreverent to say that. No, it's irreverent not to say it. I believe God's holiness makes Him have a holy obligation to do what He promised me. Is that irreverent? That's faith. Remember the word, God, unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. Faith cometh by the word of God, beloved. Without God's promises, we have no hope. We'll be ashamed as we seem to be devoured, as it seems there's no hope. Rejoicing in hope. Oh, the promises are precious. Listen to this. This was from my quiet time. This sermon never ends, you know. I just keep getting things, and I wrote this down, how God will never fail to comfort us in our tribulation. This is my comfort in all my affliction and persecution and tribulation, don't doubt it. Thy word hath quickened me, given me hope, made me of faith, got me going again, kept me. God will never fail to comfort us in tribulation. Paul says, listen, in case you think Paul's lying, I don't think so. He says in 2 Corinthians 7, for I am exceedingly joyful in our tribulation. Oh, my. He said he'd a spirit of life, but there's something about God's peace that passes all understanding in spite of what the devil is doing. We don't give up, you see. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, persevering, don't give up, just persevere. You're not going to be destroyed, child, you're going to be made. Trust God, everything backfires against the devil if you just trust. That's why he allows it. For when we were coming to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest. We were troubled on every side, without the fighting, within were fears. Nevertheless, God that comforted those that are cast down. Oh, I love this. Do you honestly think when you're cast down, God won't comfort you? He's going to have your Bible open, brother, and the sovereign God will have you just where you need to be out of its context. Don't open your Bible unless you have a pen next to your Bible. Don't you dare. You preachers especially, don't you dare open your Bible for a sermon. Open your Bible expecting God to speak, otherwise don't open your Bible. And he will. Trust me, in the circumstances you are, there's something about the sovereign God that will somehow heal the wounds, flood you with peace. The Comforter will comfort you. And this is his main source of comfort. Just don't let the devil get you to shut the Bible. Best to memorize it. Keep it in your heart. Oh, nevertheless, in spite of this troubles, and fighting, and fears that came in our hearts, God that comforted those that are cast down. I cannot think of one occasion in 34 years since I gave my life to Jesus when I was cast down that God didn't come and give me hope through a promise where he said, oh, the waters may flow over thee, but they will never destroy you. You'll go through the fire, but they won't destroy you. Do you believe God? Nevertheless, God that comforted those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus. He'll send someone to you if you need someone just to pray and remind you of the promises and the greatness of God. 2 Corinthians 1 verse 4, the God of all comfort, who comforted us in all our tribulation, in all our tribulation. We would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were oppressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life itself. You know, that's true. We don't want to be really ignorant about it. I don't want to deny it. It happens. But the God of all comfort, isn't this amazing, who always will comfort those that are cast down. Isn't God faithful? Do you think he isn't going to comfort you? Oh, no, no, no, rejoicing in hope. I love that. Rejoicing in hope because of God's holy commitment to his word. He cannot fail. He's promised. And so he has a holy responsibility through his integrity because of what he promised to keep you. That the devil won't destroy you no matter what you're going through. You won't be destroyed. Rejoicing in hope that comes through the word of God, through the promises of Christ. Right along the whole Bible, too. Rejoicing in hope, he said, patient in tribulation, persevering it means, just go on, don't give up, continuing instant in prayer. You know what that means? Devoted to a life of prayer, literally consumed in a life of prayer, devoted, just like affliction. So with tribulation, you're drawn to the university and the school of God. It backfires on the devil, suddenly you're in the university of God's school, what are you going to destroy? You. But it made you something you would never have been, never, in God's hands. Bless God forever. Bless God forever. You know, Jesus said that men's hearts would fail them for fear of things that would come upon the earth in the last days. Think about that. If you don't know that we're not living in the last days, oh my, things would come upon this earth where men's hearts would fail them for fear of things that would come upon the earth. You know, the Bible is more up to date than any newspaper you could ever buy. My word, if you want to just be a bit ahead of what's going on, just soak yourself in the scriptures. And then you read the papers and say, oh, now they're getting to it. I don't want to be presumptuous, I don't want to be arrogant, but there's a truth about this. God is saying, I don't want you to be taken by surprise at the end times. I'm telling you it's happening, but look up, your redemption is yours and I don't, I'm not going to let you be destroyed. But listen carefully to what Jesus says, in the last days, just before his coming, you know, the eschatology of the Bible, you know, the theology of those events, those final events just before Christ's return, this is eschatology, big word. But think about this, Christ has told us these things, not to put fear in our heart about what's coming, we see we're in it, don't doubt it, we're right in there. The things Christ said, men's hearts are failing them for fear, I don't know if there's any sane person whose heart didn't sink, when those buildings just crumbled, I mean, deranged minds have lost every ethical code against human decency, they're doing things there's no understanding how they could do it, and say, for God they're doing it. So people's hearts are full of fear, now there's no ethical code left, there's nothing to even reason how they're going to do it, what they're going to do, and they're thinking they're doing God justice. Oh, the darkness that be in you, if the light that be in you be darkness, how great is that darkness, that great darkness, let me tell you, if you think it's light, you could believe that's God. Oh, of anybody of these religions, here's this tape, get out of that religion, use your mind, how can that be God? But look how the world is suffering, we're living when God said these things would happen, things no mind could think before it happened would ever happen, nobody would ever do such things, but right before I come things will happen that will be beyond comprehension, no one could understand how a human could do these things, how human capacity could even do it, and these things in the last days, things will come upon the earth, that men's hearts will fail them for fear, that's what's happening right now, I don't know if you'll see it, of things that have come upon the earth, but beloved, nowhere does Jesus say my people's hearts are going to fail them for fear of things, you know, failed hearts, just failing them for fear, I've told you this is going to happen, and you're not going to be destroyed, I haven't lost control, that's why I, not my people, do you know why John Wesley was saved? John Wesley came to America to win the Red Indians to God, but then he found out something terrible, he found out that he wasn't saved, now that's a shock, that's a shock, he was getting into more and more despair as he became more and more conscious as he was handling the word of God, that this just condemns him, there's nothing to confirm that his life is saved, he couldn't even prepare, he couldn't even wait and try and discern what to say, because everything that he found yet never happened to him, the more he looked the more despair, you know what Wesley did, he got in a boat to go home, that's a terrible thing for a missionary to do, you know, to come all the way across the world to win the war, you lost the Christ and then you find you lost, so he goes home now defeated, and oh he was in despair, but you know what God did to John Wesley, he did what he did to Jonah, on the boat, he sent a storm, now why would God do that to Wesley, he's in a bad enough state now, because God knew something about that storm, there were Moravians on that boat, oh how often God has to resort to the Moravians when there's no one else left that will do the right thing, Wesley feared everyone, despair, everyone was despairing of life as the waves just started filling the ship and the ship, believe me that ship was ready to sink, it was amazing it didn't, and everybody was crying out and he was hanging on in his heart, fearful for he knew now he was going to hell but he didn't know how to escape, and suddenly he heard singing, oh such singing, the harmony of the Moravians, wow, they were singing.