Book 3, Chapter 47: All Troubles Are to be Endured for the Sake of Eternal Life.
Chapter Focus: The title here says it all – that we must endure sufferings as a means of self-denial, as a means of arriving at Heaven’s Gate. Hard to hear, but true. The good news is that Eternal Life is at the other end of the tunnel. The reward is great, though we can’t compare it against anything. We have one Person Who has died and risen, Who tells us, “I have prepared a place for you.” This is not a base contractual exchange. It’s a covenant: We deny ourselves, thereby encountering suffering; in that encounter of suffering we meet Jesus and His Cross; He hands us our cross – we follow Him to and through death, into resurrection and Eternal Life. A full promise. A promise kept. Beyond a promise, really. That’s what covenants are: God gives makes a blood promise to the community, and we agree. We can’t get there by ourselves. We need Jesus and His blood. We need to capture and use our sufferings, emptying our very selves, as we follow Him up Calvary and onto the cross next to His. And we need to bring our family and friends and neighbors with us (Lk 10:29 & ff).
What do we do with our sufferings? On our deathbed, will we be able to look upon those painful moments or chronic occurrences with an eye toward Heaven? Such endurance will be a consolation as we offer the sufferings in a prayerful manner for God’s work. It is then that we will find out that, despite our best intentions, the only time we did anything purely for God was when we acted contrary to ourselves. Surprise!
Whenever I work in His Kingdom, I encounter discomfort, even persecution, and suffering. I’ve mentioned my work in the pro-life movement. It’s uncomfortable. On the sidewalk, it gets Cold, Hot, Wet, Dry, Windy, Stormy, and Humid. It’s easier when other saints show up, like Patricia, who is 87 and comes out whether it’s -5 or 95. Or Lois, who smiles as she prays, with the droplets of rain running down her cheek with the tears she laments for the unborn. Betty comes out even when she’s lost her voice. Greg faces his past. Tom prays for the walls of darkness to fall. Bob, with his quiet smile, exudes holiness while Phil stands and prays, holding up his flag that says the world needs God. They imitate Christ and inspire me to do the same. I still feel the discomfort, but somehow watching them carry their cross shows me how to carry mine. In this Chapter, Thomas lets us take a peek into Heaven as a reward for our earthly trials. He tells us that sometimes it looks like a sidewalk full of prayer partners, rejoicing in the closing of an abortion mill, or at the overturning of an unsavory legal opinion.
Join us on the sidewalk of Heaven.
Chapter 47, In Short.
1. Let God’s promises comfort you – do not be weary in working for Him.
2. Do your part well and your reward will be Christ Himself.
3. Counted as gain being afflicted for God’s sake.
4. The losing or gaining the Kingdom of God is no small thing.
Scripture Memory Prayer: “I Am your Shield; I will make your reward very great.” (Genesis 15:1)
Question: At the hour of death what will you wish you had done, suffered, and renounced for the sake of obtaining Heaven?
Key Quote: Eternal life is worth all of these conflicts, yes, and of greater.
The text of Chapter 47: All Troubles Are to be Endured for the Sake of Eternal Life.
The Voice of the Beloved: “My Child, do not let the work which you have undertaken for Me break you down, nor let tribulations wear you down in any way.
Let My promises always strengthen and comfort you (Ps 119:76).
I Am sufficient to reward you above all measure (Gn 15:1).
You will not work here long, nor will you always be weighed down with sorrows.
Wait yet a little while, and you shall see a speedy end of your evils. An hour shall come when all labor and confusion will cease. All is little and short – which passes away with time.
2. “Do your part well. Pay attention to what you are doing. Work faithfully in My vineyard: I will be your reward.
Write, read, sing, weep, be silent, pray, and endure troubles with courage. Eternal life is worth all of these conflicts, yes, and of greater. One day peace shall come. This is known to the Lord. This rest may not be day or night, such as it is at present (Zach 14:7), but light eternal, infinite clearness, steadfast peace, and undisturbed rest. Then you will not say ‘Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Rm 7:24)’ nor will you cry out, ‘Woe is me, for my sojourning is prolonged, (Ps 120:5; Rev 21:23).’ For death will be no more. Your salvation can never fail: no more anxiety, only happy delight, and a society sweet and noble.
3. “Oh! if you could see the everlasting crown of the Saints in Heaven and how glorious is the triumph of those who were once considered beneath contempt – and even unworthy of life, you would doubtless cast yourself down to the ground immediately. Seeing this, you would rather be subject to all than to have authority over any. You would not long for more pleasant days of this life, but would instead rejoice to be afflicted for God’s sake, and would measure it as gain among others to be counted as nothing (Phil 3:7-8).
4. “Oh, if these things were sweet to your taste, and moved you to the bottom of your heart, how could you even dare to complain once? Are not all laborious things to be endured for the sake of eternal life? The losing or gaining the Kingdom of God is no small thing. Therefore, lift up your face to Heaven. Behold, I and all My Saints with Me, who in this world had great conflict, now rejoice, are now comforted, are now secure, are now at peace, and shall remain with Me forever in the Kingdom of My Father (Wis 5:1).”