Crown of life

https://odb.org/2023/12/29/keep-running-2

A recurring theme in these pages is that of perseverance, something common in the New Testament letters of the Apostles. This is because during the 1st century era, just after the death and resurrection of Christ, believers of the Way were under tremendous persecution. In the early days, it was mostly economic persecution, and their solution was to pool their resources together so that everyone in the community of believers were able to live as one. I guess they were driven by their common destiny in Christ, and perhaps at that time, they expected Christ to return soon. Little did they know or expect that their persecution would get worse as time moved on with believers being caught and burned on stakes. Even later, they were thrown into the Roman arenas for entertainment as wild beasts devoured them. It was martyrdom and death for the followers of Christ.

At the spiritual level, it was probably Satan’s attempt to snuff off the faith, but instead, it continued to spread from Jerusalem, Judea to Samaria, and across the rest of the world touching Jews and Gentiles alike. Unfortunately, until today, the Jews still reject Christ, but there remained Christians in Israel who descended not only from these first century believers but also those from the time of the Byzantine Empire who ruled Palestine after the Romans.

There are no direct parallels in the present age as Christians are generally well-off, whether in Malaysia or the United States or elsewhere. However, there will come a time of intense trials and tribulations before Christ returns, and many believe, looking at the signs of the present time, that the time is near. No one knows for sure, only the Father knows. But it’s best we are prepared for it in our generation. A time will come where, without the mark of the beast, we will not be able to buy and sell.

James 1:12 then becomes relevant. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

We don’t know what lies ahead in the Great Tribulation, but we hold on to the promise that the Lord will not test us beyond our point of endurance and that He will strengthen us to persevere on when the time comes.