Endure and Reign With Him!

“If we endure,

we will also reign with him.” 2 Timothy 2:12.

William Barclay said, “Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” In God’s economy, the current temporary sufferings and future eternal weight of glory are related. Your hard things and sufferings you face now turn itself into glory and reigning opportunities in the future if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ. 

When we come to God in and through His Son, Jesus Christ, several significant transactions happen. God saves us from our sins by forgiving and canceling out all our sins, gave us eternal life and inheritance in heaven. God gives us the Holy Spirit, who will be with us forever when we accepted Christ as our savior. (John 14:16-17). Also, the Holy Spirit of God sealed us with the pledge of our future inheritance in heaven. Holy Spirit given is the deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. (Ephesian 1:13-14).

Besides, God gave us the authority and power for our present living and an excellent reigning role for our future. Jesus said, ” All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20). The Lord Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and he sends us with His authority now when you live here.

Besides, God has given us a significant role in the future. Not only we have God-given authority now for His services, but we also have the God-given reigning role in the future.

After graduation, when I started my first job, I had to spend many months on an on-the-job-training so that I would be capable and skillful in managing employees and portfolios. For a believer in Christ, this life is the on-the-job-training for the opportunities in the coming eternity. God prepares a believer to reign with Him in His coming earthly kingdom and all through eternity. Revelation 5:20 says those who are purchased by the blood of Christ will reign on the earth. Revelation 20:4 and 6 says the believers in Christ will rule with Christ on this earth for thousand years when Christ establishes His kingdom on this earth as a fulfillment of several prophecies. This thousand-year period is called the Millennium. Revelation 22:5 (c) affirms even after the millennium or thousand years rule with Christ on this earth, the believers in Christ will reign forever and ever in eternity.

You see, the Bible informs “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalms 103:19) and as children of God bought and purified by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, ruling this universe God made is our family entrepreneurship. God’s kingdom rules over all and there are lot of services/functions to do in God’s kingdom.

Peter asked Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:27-29). 

It appears our unique role in the future rulership is related to how do we endure the sufferings for the name of Christ right now. On the surface level, as a believer in Christ, we all will reign with Christ. In a deeper sense, if God gave us the privilege to endure harsh sufferings for Christ’s name, then the opportunity to rule with Christ will be elevated to a higher level. Our role in future reign would be related to our current sufferings for the Lord on this earth. 2nd corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”1st Peter 4:13, “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

Beloved, remember if you endure, you will also reign with Him. Endure means if you stand in faith in Jeus Christ amid pain and fatigue, to continue, bear pain, to last. Would you endure in your pain and difficulties because of the name of Christ? Bible guarantees you will reign with him. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I understand my suffering now is only temporary, and I will exchange my current suffering with the eternal weight of glory in heaven. I know you will be with me in my pains and sufferings and would grant me the needed strength every day. I worship you, Lord. I surrender my life for your will and purposes. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”