Given the reality of Lucifer, that supreme angel of light who became Satan (the Adversary), not all the heavenly host were content with God’s plans for humankind and some revolted. Surely, thought they, it would be the Godhead with the princes of the angelic realm who were destined to rule the heavens. Those who were content within their own sphere and remained faithful are nevertheless intrigued and desire to look into these matters866. Little wonder, for the extraordinary transition that is required of fallen human beings to fulfil such a destiny is staggering, and it is referred to by the writer to the Hebrews:
“For He has not put the world to come of which we speak in subjection to angels, but one testified in a certain place saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honour and set him over the works of your hands; You have put all things in subjection under (man’s) feet. For in that He put all in subjection under man, He left nothing that is not to be put under (man). But currently we do not see all things put under him. But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels and because He suffered death has been crowned with glory and
honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone”867
The author of Hebrews indicates that whilst we currently do not see all things subjected to human beings, that is the eventual plan. What Christians can see by faith is the Man Christ Jesus already crowned with glory because of His suffering 868, to bring many human sons to glory. As all the letters to the Asian churches through John in Revelation make clear, such privileges are not for all who have been incorporated into the Church through baptism but those relatively few869 who are deemed worthy870. God calls many into the Church ( ekklesia - the called-out ones); of those only some are deemed worthy to inherit the promises of Christ871. For they had been called out of the world to be sanctified, requiring their personal co-operation, application and perseverance which not all provide or have even understood to be the case. It is therefore expedient that all who are sincerely 864 Jn14:10
865 Cf. Lk1:19
866 1Pet1:12
867 Heb2:5-9
868 Heb2:9
869 Cf. Rev3:4
870 Cf. 2Tim4:7; Lk20:35
871 Cf. Mt20:16
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seeking to be faithful to Christ within the various churches at the current time know what is expected of them in anticipation of His coming.
Scripture is explicit: the suffering that Jesus endured on our behalf also perfected Him for His future Office as well as being an example to those who are to follow Him to glory872. It is all the more necessary for those whose current bodies originate from dust and are tainted by sin to experience suffering to perfect them for the future privilege of sharing their Bridegroom’s life and domain. For within God’s economy those called to lead are to do so through serving and must be prepared to suffer on behalf of those they are to lead:
“I (Paul) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His Body which is the Church”873
He also told the Corinthian Church that their own salvation was being perfected by their sharing in the apostles’ suffering874. The same apostle had received certain revelations concerning future glory875, in which he was “caught up into the third heaven”. To prevent him from bursting with joy or becoming conceited he was given a physical affliction – a thorn in the flesh. God permitted Satan to inflict this physical discomfort on His beloved apostle for his own good, and so that God’s strength may be made perfect in Paul’s weakness.
The more one begins to comprehend God’s exhilarating plan for humanity, or as much of it as has been disclosed, the more one should begin to perceive a positive role for
human suffering in the present preparatory age. Through Paul’s revelation in the heavenly realm, he had an exceptional grasp of this matter such that he positively rejoiced in his own sufferings for the Church876 and knew that as the Body of Christ, the Church must suffer for the world:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God”877
For the elect’s tribulations that anticipate their glory are also a reflection of God’s universal justice and equity:
“Your tribulations are a manifest witness of the righteous judgement of God, that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you also suffer seeing that is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you”878.
And as James also wrote:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let 872 Cf. 1Pet2:21
873 Col1:24
874 2Cor1:6
875 2Cor12:1-6
876 Col1:24
877 Rom8:18-19
878 2Thes1:5-6
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perseverance continue its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything”879
Trials incur suffering but help a Christian persevere and spiritually grow towards moral perfection. It is also linked to the need for discipline, which is more readily understood from our experience as children or parents:
“God disciplines us for our good in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later however it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”880