Cheerful Tribulation

John 16:33; Revelation 5:1-14

Tribulation and cheer in the same sentence? These two words on the surface do not seem compatible, much less be found together in one sentence. But yet these are the very words of our Lord.

Jesus has just spent his last night giving final details about his approaching death and resurrection. He understood the reality of the evil in the world and the heart of man and how all of that evil was to be thrusted upon him in atoning for the sins of the world. He also understood how that evil would then be thrusted upon them after his ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world to give life to his church. Although his honest critique of the world can be somewhat discouraging, yet he tells them to be of good cheer.

Why be cheerful? Because he overcame the world. When you look at the sufferings and death of Jesus, you see that it is rather breathtaking how he was beaten so brutally and yet survived to only then be nailed to the cross afterwords. What is even more breathtaking is that the writer of Hebrews said he did it with joy! (Hebrews 12:2) He knew that his death was not a defeat but a victory. A victory not just for himself but also for his church.

When the disciples were arrested for preaching in his name, they were beaten and released with the command not to speak in his name anymore. Did this get them down? No! The Bible tells us that they left rejoicing because they had suffered for his names sake. There is no greater honor than to identify with Jesus in suffering.

The faith that we hold is one that Jude said was worth fighting for. (Jude 3) In every war there are many battles. Some are won and some are lost. There are many wounds and most are left with some scars. But yet when the war is over and the victory is won, what a celebration of triumph!

That’s why John in his heavenly vision sees Jesus as a lamb in the midst of the throne, as one slain from the foundation of the world. The scars and wounds remain. But he also sees Jesus as the Lion of Judah. The one who has conquered death, hell, and the grave.

Jesus told his disciples that tribulation will be in the world, but be of good cheer. Why? Because he overcame the world. We will have our battles won and lost. We will have our wounds and scars. But we also have our victory! Because all around the throne there are a multitude of people from every nation, kindred, and tongue who overcome the world through Jesus Christ!

John in Revelation 12:11 said that the Saints overcome the Devil by

• The blood of the lamb

• The word of their testimony

• Loving not their lives unto death

After this in verse 12 he says to rejoice!

Thanks be unto to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Be of good cheer today. If God is for us who can be against us!

Pastor Robby