p. 3 | The Promises of God by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1874

The Promises of God.

By H. A. St. John

“AND if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Rom. 8:17.

CONDITION: “If so be that we suffer with him.” Then there is a suffering part to the religion of Christ. If any are free from this, they may be assured that in Heaven they are not recognized as the followers of Jesus. Our divine Lord learned obedience by the things which he suffered, Heb. 5:8, and if we follow in his steps, we will learn obedience by the things which we suffer. Ever will it remain true that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12. Frequently will the true child of God be called upon to suffer “shame,” and “reproach,” and endure trials of “cruel mockings,” and “hardness,” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Acts 5:41; Luke 6:22; Heb. 11:36; 2 Tim. 2:3. And especially in the last days, just before Jesus comes, there will be many “despisers of those that are good,” and the dragon, that old serpent, the devil, will be particularly wroth with the “remnant,” the last end of the true church of God on earth, because they “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:3; Rev. 12:17.

But there is another idea aside from simple suffering contained in this condition. It is that of suffering with Christ. Is it then true that when the disciple of Jesus here in this evil world is suffering shame and contempt, reproach, disgrace, bonds, and imprisonment, he is doing it for Christ’s sake, and that his divine Lord suffers with him? Thus the Scriptures abundantly teach. The church is the body of Christ, and each disciple, members in particular, and when one member suffers all the members suffer with it, and particularly intense are the sufferings of the head of the body, which is Christ. 1 Cor. 12:12–27; Eph. 1:23. Now we may understand the Saviour when he says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt. 25:40. And, also, may we comprehend the language of Paul, “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind, of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.” Col. 1:24.

Then the afflictions of Christ are not yet past, but are being filled up in his followers. Thus we may see how Jesus is still touched “with the feeling of our infirmities,” Heb. 4:15, and while we are passing through “much tribulation,” Acts 14:22, he ever looks upon us with a pitying eye and sympathizing heart. Although every earthly source of comfort be cut off, and sympathizing friends turn from us, yet there is One who will never forsake, and will bring us out of our afflictions when we have learned well the lesson intended, and bring us out, too, nearer the kingdom of God. Surely, then, we ought to rejoice in affliction and tribulation, for it is ever working for our eternal good, if we are rightly exercised thereby. 2 Cor. 4:16–18.

THE PROMISE: “That we may be also glorified together.” All is with Christ. Suffering with him, also, in like manner, “glorified together.” Suffer with him, reign with him. How close the relation between Christ and his people, even from conversion! The sufferings of Christ will not cease until all his people are delivered from suffering, and made immortal. His satisfaction will not be full until he beholds the travail of his soul in the resurrection morning. Isa. 53:11, 12. His glorification will not be complete until he shall sit upon his own throne or the “throne of his glory,” Rev. 3:21; Matt. 19:27–29; 25:31, and the righteous, with their sufferings, tears, and sorrows all past, enter into his joys, Matt. 25:21, to reign with him a thousand years in the holy city above; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4, 5; and then in the same city and on the earth made new forever and ever. Rev. 21:1, 2; Dan. 7:22, 27.

Oh! what glory, what a rich reward, is promised to those who will suffer with Christ for a little while here. Truly has the great apostle said, “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.” Rom. 8:18. H. A. ST. JOHN.