The chapter belongs to the troublous times before Christ's coming and foretells the events then to be experienced, including calamities such as earthquakes, with assurance that not a hair of the head will perish. It is spoken of the close of the world's history, when the deeds done to Christ will be repeated. Then believers will be betrayed by parents and brethren and kinsfolk and friends, will be hated by all men for Christ's name, and some will be put to death.
The passage from verse 8 to 19 shows the battle prior to the last closing conflict, when two armies stand distinct and separate. Many convinced of truth will come over to the side of God's commandment-keeping people. At the same time many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will become martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth. They will be brought before kings and rulers and before councils to meet false and absurd and lying accusations against them.
In that time they must stand firm as a rock to principle, and when brought into straight places God's faithful servants must not confer with flesh and blood. Strength will be given as their days require, and no temptation above what they are able to bear will be permitted, as they follow Jesus who bore all this and far more. The express command of God must be obeyed while God is working, through an intelligent knowledge of His Word that prepares men and women to contend zealously for the law of Jehovah. That preparation is for reestablishing the holy law, making up the breach made in the law of God, and restoring the tables of stone to their ancient, exalted, honorable position.
The promise that not a hair of the head will perish does not mean freedom from bodily suffering or death, for persecution may kill the body. Those who trust in Christ are not finally lost, because the life they have in Christ cannot be destroyed. God gives them grace and comfort and steadfastness through suffering, and their life remains safe with Christ in God beyond the reach of cruelty and death. Even martyred life is not lost, for Christ as the Lifegiver stores the life taken away and will beautify the righteous with salvation and immortal life, so that in patience they possess their souls. In following Christ there is safety, for He will not let the powers of darkness harm His followers in the least but keeps what is committed to His trust, and through Him they become more than conquerors. This stands in contrast to following pride and worldly ambition and selfish plans centered in self, whose flattering promises of enjoyment end in pain and sorrow and poisoned happiness and embittered life.
The chapter belongs to the troublous times before Christ's coming and foretells the events then to be experienced, including calamities such as earthquakes, with assurance that not a hair of the head will perish. It is spoken of the close of the world's history, when the deeds done to Christ will be repeated. Then believers will be betrayed by parents and brethren and kinsfolk and friends, will be hated by all men for Christ's name, and some will be put to death.
The passage from verse 8 to 19 shows the battle prior to the last closing conflict, when two armies stand distinct and separate. Many convinced of truth will come over to the side of God's commandment-keeping people. At the same time many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will become martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth. They will be brought before kings and rulers and before councils to meet false and absurd and lying accusations against them.
In that time they must stand firm as a rock to principle, and when brought into straight places God's faithful servants must not confer with flesh and blood. Strength will be given as their days require, and no temptation above what they are able to bear will be permitted, as they follow Jesus who bore all this and far more. The express command of God must be obeyed while God is working, through an intelligent knowledge of His Word that prepares men and women to contend zealously for the law of Jehovah. That preparation is for reestablishing the holy law, making up the breach made in the law of God, and restoring the tables of stone to their ancient, exalted, honorable position.
The promise that not a hair of the head will perish does not mean freedom from bodily suffering or death, for persecution may kill the body. Those who trust in Christ are not finally lost, because the life they have in Christ cannot be destroyed. God gives them grace and comfort and steadfastness through suffering, and their life remains safe with Christ in God beyond the reach of cruelty and death. Even martyred life is not lost, for Christ as the Lifegiver stores the life taken away and will beautify the righteous with salvation and immortal life, so that in patience they possess their souls. In following Christ there is safety, for He will not let the powers of darkness harm His followers in the least but keeps what is committed to His trust, and through Him they become more than conquerors. This stands in contrast to following pride and worldly ambition and selfish plans centered in self, whose flattering promises of enjoyment end in pain and sorrow and poisoned happiness and embittered life.