Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Lesson 51 of 77
Divine Suffering
{See Lesson 53}
By Lawrence DeMetrius

Lucifer has done everything in his power to defame Christ the Word since His First Advent into the terrestrial realm. Apostle Matthew writes,

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
[Mt 2:16-18]

Lucifer vehemently warred against the influence of Christ and His Witnesses, when countless souls began to be empowered to free themselves from his snare. He will continue to war against them until his final demise. The Lord Jesus said,

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
[Mt 6:34b]

The brethren of Christ are admonished to always be prepared to effectively war against the agents of evil whenever they are confronted by them. Apostle Paul writes,

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[Eph 6:10-12]

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
[II Cor 10:4, 5]

The primary way to effectively combat satanic forces, is to remain wholeheartedly submitted to Yahweh WHO always intends for HIS worshipers to triumph over evil. Apostle James writes,

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
[Jam 4:7]

Apostle Peter writes,

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.
[I Pet 4:19]

Apostle Paul writes,

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of HIS knowledge by us in every place.
For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved and in them that perish:
To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
[II Cor 2:14-17]

It is important to note that, due to their reflection of divine glory in a dark world, the Elect of God may at times incur some degree of persecution. The Lord Jesus said,

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
[Mt 5:10-12]
If the world hates you, ye know that it hated Me before It hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.
[Jn 15:18-20]

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
[Jn 16:33b]

Apostle John writes,

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world.
[I Jn 4:4]

Blessedly, Yahweh does not allow more upon HIS Elect then they can bear. Apostle Paul writes,

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, WHO will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
[I Cor 10:13]

Divine Suffering helps to develop one’s faith in Christ, as well as the faith and patience of Christ within. Apostle Paul writes,

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ, even we have believed IN Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live BY the faith OF the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
[Gal 2:16, 20]

Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye SHALL be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
[Eph 6:16]

Apostle Peter writes,

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
[I Pet 1:6-9]

The Lord Jesus said,

Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
[Jn 20:29b]

Apostle James writes,

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations:
knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which THE LORD hath promised to them that love HIM.
[Jam 1:2-4, 12]

The Lord Jesus said,

No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
[Mt 6:24]




The New Testament notes,

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
[Heb 10:39]

The Lord Jesus said,

In your patience possess ye your souls.
[Lk 21:19]

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and has not denied My Name.
Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
[Rev 3:8, 10]

Divine Suffering helps the Elect of God to recognize and use their divine authority to overcome satanic forces, in the Name of Jesus Christ Who said,

I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[Lk 10:18b, 19]

The Lord Jesus gives His brethren the mandate of freeing mortal minds from satanic influence, by effectively declaring His Word to them. If the recipients receive and continue in His Word, they make and keep themselves free from lying persuasions. He said,

All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
[Mt 28:18b-20]
If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
[Jn 8:31b, 32, 36]

Apostle Paul writes,

Study to shew thyself approved unto
God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient;
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God, peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth:
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
[II Tim 2:15, 24-26]

Because born-again believers have Christ as their personal Lord, and His GOD and ABBA, FATHER as their GOD and ABBA, FATHER, divine hope to overcome the challenges of evil is always present. The Lord Jesus said in His dialogue with Mary after His resurrection,

Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.
[Jn 20:17]
Apostle Paul writes,

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of HIS mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
[Col 1:27]

Apostle John writes,

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know HIM that is true, and we are in HIM that is true, even in HIS Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
[I Jn 5:20]
The Sons of God are to victoriously endure Divine Suffering when it is divinely allotted to them, not resist it. The Lord Jesus said nearing the time of His Passion,

My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye <Peter and the sons of Zebedee> here, and watch with Me.
O My Father, If it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as THOU wilt.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, THY will be done.
[Mt 26:38, 39, 41, 42]

<and to Peter, the Lord said> Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?
[Jn 18:11]

Yahweh Worshipers are charged to endure divine suffering in a manner that displays the strength and faith of Christ, by Whom their faith is initiated and perfected. Apostle Paul writes,

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.
[Heb 12:1-3]

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