Suffering: Difference between revisions

    From BelieveTheSign
    (clean page)
     
    No edit summary
     
    (8 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
    Line 1: Line 1:
    {| style="width:800px"
    |[[Image:Slave.jpg|right|thumb|180px|Wounds of a slave. USA, 1863.]]
    Jesus began his ministry by reciting the following scripture from the prophet Isaiah:
    :''The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,'' (Isaiah 61:1,2a)
    Jesus said to the people listening: ''"This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."''  This was a true saying, as Jesus ministry was to the meek, blind, brokenhearted, and captives.
    However, Jesus closed the book of Isaiah before finishing the full prophecy of the Messiah.  The part that Jesus omitted was as follows:
    :''and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.'' (Isaiah 61:2b,3)
    By closing the book, Jesus was telling the people that the "day of vengeance" was still to come, and the promise to "comfort all that mourn" was still to come.  In otherwords, there would still be suffering on the earth until the Messiah declared that the "day of vengeance of our God was at hand". 
    {|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center;"
    {|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center;"
    |'' Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ... Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: <br> Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.''  (I Peter 4:19, 5:6-7) ''
    |'' Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ... Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: <br> Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.''  (I Peter 4:19, 5:6-7) ''
    Line 19: Line 4:
    |}
    |}


    [[Image:Slave.jpg|right|thumb|180px|Wounds of a slave. USA, 1863.]]


    <div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">The reason for suffering</div>
    The reason for suffering is that the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God's one commandment.  As a result, both they and their offspring were subject to a number of curses, abbreviated as follows:


    #Both Adam and Eve, and each of their offspring, would be subject to death,
    '''If you read the book of Job or listen to Jesus' teachings, you will learn that suffering and sickness are not a sign of being out of the will of God.'''  Job's friends never fell ill, yet were entirely wrong.  Likewise, suffering is not a sign that people are being punished for their sins.  Rather, suffering is a sign of our insufficiency and mortality.  Suffering can be relieved by prayer, by wisdom, by the touch of a friend, and by the touch of God.  The instruction of the apostle Peter is for us to follow Jesus in his suffering, bringing glory to God when we bless those who persecute us.  Eventually, the love of God will eliminate suffering.
    #Eve's sorrow would be multiplied, and she would be subject to childbearing, and
    #Adam was cursed to a life of toil, and sorrow would accompany his labours.  


    But knowing the cause of universal suffering is like knowing that a shark ate your arm: something bad happened that you have no power to change, and you now have to deal with the consequences.  If you do not deal with the consequences, it will jeopordize your life, and if you don't learn from what happened, you will probably make the same mistake again. 


    =Scriptures on Suffering=


    <div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">How to deal with suffering</div>
    {|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center;"
    |''For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.''  (Romans 8:17)
    |-
    |}


    The book of Job is probably the oldest book in the Bible, and it deals with the suffering of one man, Job, who lost his wealth, family, and health, and had all of his friends turn against him.  At the end of the book, a young wise man named Elihu and God reveal to Job the folly of blaming God for his problems.  If you have any of the same problems that Job had, it would be good for you to read his story. 
    *'''Job 19:25-26''' ''"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"''


    Here is Elihu's secret:
    *'''Job 33:12b-13; 34:7,9-10''' ''God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters...What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? ... For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.''  


    :''The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life...Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. ... Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.'' (Job 33:4, 8-9, 12-13)
    *'''Job 40:2,8''' ''Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. ... Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?''  


    Elihu continues:
    *'''Matthew 25: 34b-40''' ''Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.''


    :''For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. ... What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? ... For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. ... Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.'' (Job 34:5,7,9-10, 18-19)
    *'''Luke 10:8-9''' ''And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.''  


    The Lord also answered Job, out of a whirlwind, and confirmed Elihu's preaching.  God said:
    *'''I Corinthians 4:12b, 13a''' ''Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat:''  


    :''Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. ...  Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?'' (Job 40:2,8)
    *'''I Corinthians 15:26''' ''The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.''  


    So, as far as suffering goes, we are subject to the law of death as a result of the decision of our forefathers.  In justice, God could have condemned the whole human race to annihilation, or simply left us in our anguish.  However, God, in His mercy and grace, sent His only Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God. Because of this, suffering shouldn't matter to anyone that has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as we have been promised a new body and life eternal.
    *'''Hebrews 12:1-3''' ''Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.''


    Complaining about suffering, for a Christian, is like complaining about your job the day before your retirement. 
    *'''James 2:8''' ''"If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:"''


    *'''I Peter 2:21-25''' ''For even hereunto were 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 judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: ''


    <div style="border-bottom:1px #B87333 solid; text-align:center; font-size:140%; padding:1px; margin:1px;">The end of suffering</div>
    *'''I Peter 2:21-24''' ''For even hereunto were 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 judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.''


    If a shark ate your arm, you should probably do two things: first, deal with the wound, and second, avoid shark infested waters.  The same holds true with human suffering, first, we need to deal with the wound - if we are able, and second, we need to avoid the cause of the wound. 
    *'''Jude 1:21-24''' ''Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,''


    Humanity's wound was caused by disbelief in the Word of God, which is more commonly known as sin.  On our own, we have no way to deal with the wound of sin.  The only way to effectively deal with sin is to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Son of God.  The Bible says that Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection, and that the last enemy to be defeated is death (<KJVBible>I Corinthians 15:23-26</KJVBible>). So, God will defeat death in his own time, and until that time we must live like Abraham by believing God's promise is true even though we may see no physical evidence of the reward.  
    *'''Revelation 21:4''' ''And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.''
       
    =William Branham talks about suffering=


    The only way to avoid sin in the future is to believe in the Word of God.  Just as Jesus' death brought his resurrection, the scriptures invite you to die to the lusts of the flesh in order to live in righteousness.  This is called the new birth - it is God living in you through His grace.  
    William Braham often taught that suffering comes as a result of not following the will of God.  He also taught that God punishes others for the mistakes of important people.  His doctrine on suffering is very close to the doctrine of Job's friends.


    Like a seed, you need to die in good ground in order to bring forth life. That good ground is the Word of God.  Die to yourself, surrounded by the Word of God, and your life will bring forth good fruit in the midst of a suffering generation. A seed has no part in becoming a tree - it simply dies. You have no part in becoming a new creation - just accept Jesus Christ in faith, and he will raise his own life inside you.    
    :''And--and there, friends, is where my sorrows started. I listened to my mother-in-law in the stead of God. He was giving me the opportunity. And there this gift would've been manifested long time ago, if I'd just went ahead and done what God told me to do.  But instead of that, I didn't want her to be angry, and I didn't want to hurt nobody's feelings. And so I just--just let it go like that. Just walked, I just said, "All right, we won't go." And right there, the sorrows started. Immediately after that, my father died. My brother was killed a few nights later from that. I almost lost my own... I lost my father, my brother, my wife, my baby, and my sister-in-law, and almost my own life within about six month's time. And just started going down. My church, pretty near everything went down, down, down. Hope taken sick.  Just right after that, the 1937 flood come on.''  (Life Story, Phoenix, Arizona, April 15, 1951)
     
     
    :'' I pulled some branches off the trees, walked back out there, where those ministers was standing. And threw it over their feet like that, and said, "THUS SAITH THE LORD, if we go down, even to Klarksdorf, you'll suffer the results. You got me here. I haven't even got money to pay my way back. You--you got me here, and I can't go back, 'cause I couldn't go back. He told me to ahead to Johannesburg. You got me sewed up here." I said, "You'll see, as Paul said one day, you should've listened to me." See?'' (July 13, 1952)  ...''You see, when I was over there I disobeyed God and I picked up ameba.'' (June 9, 1953)
    {|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center;"
    |'' For even hereunto were 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 judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: '' (I Peter 2:21-25)
    William Branham learned this doctrine from his first pastor, [[Roy Davis]], who wrote:
    |-
    |}


    :''As a direct result of my failure to listen to God on matters so deeply important to us both and to the world in general, I went through the very fires of hell.'' (Roy Davis, October 1950, The Voice of Healing, Page 14).   


    After the "day of vengeance", there will be an end of suffering.  Job's revelation mirrors the vision of heaven in the Book of Revelation.  Job said: ''"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"'' (Job 19:25-26)  The book of Revelation reads: ''"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."'' (Revelation 21:4)
    {{Bottom of Page}}
    [[Category:Doctrines]]
    The "day of vengeance" will either be a wonderful day, or it will be a terrible day - depending on who you are.  If God has saved you, there is no doubt that it will be a day to remember. 
    [[Category:Critical analysis of William Branham‏‎]]
     
    [[Category:Bible study]]
     
    {{Portal Navigation}}
    |-
    |}

    Latest revision as of 03:52, 27 August 2015

    Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. ... Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
    Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.     (I Peter 4:19, 5:6-7)
    Wounds of a slave. USA, 1863.


    If you read the book of Job or listen to Jesus' teachings, you will learn that suffering and sickness are not a sign of being out of the will of God. Job's friends never fell ill, yet were entirely wrong. Likewise, suffering is not a sign that people are being punished for their sins. Rather, suffering is a sign of our insufficiency and mortality. Suffering can be relieved by prayer, by wisdom, by the touch of a friend, and by the touch of God. The instruction of the apostle Peter is for us to follow Jesus in his suffering, bringing glory to God when we bless those who persecute us. Eventually, the love of God will eliminate suffering.


    Scriptures on Suffering

    For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:17)
    • Job 19:25-26 "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"
    • Job 33:12b-13; 34:7,9-10 God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters...What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? ... For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
    • Job 40:2,8 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. ... Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
    • Matthew 25: 34b-40 Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
    • Luke 10:8-9 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
    • I Corinthians 4:12b, 13a Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat:
    • I Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
    • Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
    • James 2:8 "If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:"
    • I Peter 2:21-25 For even hereunto were 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 judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:
    • I Peter 2:21-24 For even hereunto were 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 judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
    • Jude 1:21-24 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
    • Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

    William Branham talks about suffering

    William Braham often taught that suffering comes as a result of not following the will of God. He also taught that God punishes others for the mistakes of important people. His doctrine on suffering is very close to the doctrine of Job's friends.

    And--and there, friends, is where my sorrows started. I listened to my mother-in-law in the stead of God. He was giving me the opportunity. And there this gift would've been manifested long time ago, if I'd just went ahead and done what God told me to do. But instead of that, I didn't want her to be angry, and I didn't want to hurt nobody's feelings. And so I just--just let it go like that. Just walked, I just said, "All right, we won't go." And right there, the sorrows started. Immediately after that, my father died. My brother was killed a few nights later from that. I almost lost my own... I lost my father, my brother, my wife, my baby, and my sister-in-law, and almost my own life within about six month's time. And just started going down. My church, pretty near everything went down, down, down. Hope taken sick. Just right after that, the 1937 flood come on. (Life Story, Phoenix, Arizona, April 15, 1951)
    I pulled some branches off the trees, walked back out there, where those ministers was standing. And threw it over their feet like that, and said, "THUS SAITH THE LORD, if we go down, even to Klarksdorf, you'll suffer the results. You got me here. I haven't even got money to pay my way back. You--you got me here, and I can't go back, 'cause I couldn't go back. He told me to ahead to Johannesburg. You got me sewed up here." I said, "You'll see, as Paul said one day, you should've listened to me." See? (July 13, 1952) ...You see, when I was over there I disobeyed God and I picked up ameba. (June 9, 1953)

    William Branham learned this doctrine from his first pastor, Roy Davis, who wrote:

    As a direct result of my failure to listen to God on matters so deeply important to us both and to the world in general, I went through the very fires of hell. (Roy Davis, October 1950, The Voice of Healing, Page 14).


    Footnotes


    Navigation

    Retrieved from "http:///index.php?title=Suffering&oldid=21176"