THE AFFLICTIONS OF GOD'S PEOPLE.
By the popular religious teachers of this apostate age, the suffering part of religion, as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, is nearly or quite kept out of sight. The joys and advantages only of a pious life being held forth, and professed Christians looking only on the bright side, it is almost impossible for them to see the afflictions of God's true, humble people, and to love the suffering part of the religion of the cross. Some embrace the truth, and seem to run well for a while; but as soon as they begin to feel the trials and duties of this time, they falter, draw back, and choose an easier way—seek to "climb up some other way." It is generally the case with such that they are not fully established that the present is the period of the message of the third angel, and that the scenes of the awful plagues and the judgment lay next in order before us. Not being established in regard to these events, they hesitate to fully and joyfully embrace the cross of present truth, and show their faith by their works. "Fearful and unbelieving" souls! It is such that Rev. xxi, 8, points out, and not the willing, trembling and conscientious, who choose to suffer affliction with the people of God. The Scriptures plainly teach that the remnant that will be prepared to stand in the day of wrath, will be from the poor of this world who are purified in the furnace of affliction. "I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord." Zeph. iii, 12. "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" James ii, 5. "For thou wilt save the afflicted people." Ps. xviii, 27. "Before I was afflicted, I went astray." Ps. cxix, 67. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted." Verse 71. "Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." Verse 75. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." Ps. xxxiv, 19. "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another." Isa. xlviii, 10, 11. Says Paul, "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God." 2 Tim. i, 8. "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me." "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Chap. iii, 10-12. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." Chap. ii, 7-13. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Phil. i, 29. Says Peter, "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. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." 1 Pet. iv, 12-14. "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." Chap. i, 7. James says, "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." Chap. v, 10, 11. "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more: neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev. vii, 13-17. In these texts, and many others like them, we have the portion of God's people in this life, and the future life also. It is affliction and poverty in this world, and glory, honor, immortality, eternal life in the world to come.