p. 3 | Suffering and Glory by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 11, 1906

Suffering and Glory

By Editor

Editorial

Suffering and Glory

TRIALS and suffering are in the path to glory. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” “In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has tortured them and put them to death; but in dying they became conquerors. They revealed in their steadfast faith a mightier One than Satan. Satan could torture and kill the body, but he could not touch the life that was hid with Christ in God. He could incarcerate souls in prison walls, but he could not bind the spirit. They could look beyond the earthly gloom to the glory, saying, ‘I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.’ ‘Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.’ Through trials and persecutions the glory— character —of God is revealed in his chosen ones. The church of God, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. They walk in narrow paths on earth; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts, they endure self-denial, and experience bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches them out of the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they are destined to be partakers of his glory.” To refuse trial and suffering is to refuse the glory to be revealed.