Blessed Are You


During the week I received a phone call from a brother that works with David Hogan. During that phone call, he began praying for me and gave me a word that  all the tribulation I’ve been going through, and all the false accusers, are a door to promotion. The Word of God says that when we are reviled for His name’s sake (Matt. 5:11-13), we are blessed. The Bible also says to be careful of those who many speak very highly of because the world loves those who belong to them. 


The furnace of affliction is where God prepares those to receive His promises. Peter says that we should not be surprised or find it odd that we go through the fire of tribulation - actually we are to rejoice in it. Christians today don’t want to go through tribulation. Most Christians today believe that Jesus did it all at the cross; the common belief is that He suffered for us so that we don’t have to endure suffering. But if that were true, then why would both Peter and Paul say that those who have partaken of the sufferings of Christ will be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17)? Did Paul and Peter get it wrong? Was everything was done at the cross, meaning we don’t have to go through any tribulation? 

 

The glory comes through enduring the tribulation. I hear people ask, “Are you pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib?” None of the above! I am “all-trib” because the Word of God says that trials and tribulations will come because of the Word’s sake. This means that when the revelation of God’s Word is coming, it will bring tribulation. So, when did the tribulation ever stop? The Lord is trying to show us the price we must pay through the fiery trials and tribulations to receive God’s glory. Truth is what ignites that fire. Those who believe in a “pre-trib” theology want to avoid any tribulation - this disqualifies them from receiving the glory God has promised. That theology of avoiding tribulation goes against what Paul and Peter taught. 

 

The Lord says that we are blessed if we are reproached for His name’s sake, so who cares what people think or say as long as we’re following His truth? It is a sign of God’s spirit resting on you when people come against you, but it’s not really you they are attacking - they are attacking Christ who is in you. 

 

How do we handle the tribulation that comes? Do we just crumble and start crying out that Satan is attacking us? Do we murmur and complain? The Gospel teaches that we are to rejoice (2 Cor. 7:4)! We should rejoice in our tribulation because we understand the reason why God allows it. Satan is just used as a tool to sift us; he cannot attack us unless the Lord allows it, like what he did with Job. 

 

Jesus said because He was persecuted, we will be persecuted as well. It is strange to think in today’s church that we must be worthy to go through the suffering of Christ. In the early church, they were zealous to be partakers, they were not afraid of martyrdom - they were ready to give their lives. Today we have a theology that is prominent in most churches that teaches we won’t go through any tribulation. 

 

Paul said that the evidence of the righteous judgment of God are those saints who patiently and faithfully endure tribulation. It is also part of God’s righteous judgment that He will repay those who have troubled us with tribulation. No one gets away with anything with God, even if it seems like they do at that moment. 

 

One of the greatest tribulations that occurs in the end is the rise of false teachings. Paul says that there will be people that God turns over to a strong delusion because they no longer have a love for the truth (2 Thes. 2:11). Those who are not strong enough in their faith, and have not died to themselves, will fall away in tribulation. Those who want to die to themselves will go through the furnace to be purified. We should not have a fear of tribulation if we understand it. Instead, we should have a fear of missing our opportunity to become purified, which is a righteous fear of God. Amen. 

 

Sincerely,
Apostle Michael Petro

 

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