Overcomers

Today I read Daniel 9:23-11:37 and Revelation 2:7-29. My favorite verses are:

Daniel 11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

God’s people are not promised freedom from suffering; in fact, we are told that we WILL suffer. Those who seek to serve God will be attacked by Satan and his forces. God has not promised to always intervene and preserve the lives of His own. Especially as the time of the end of the earth as we know it draws near, God’s people will have to endure great hardship. Daniel said they will “fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil”. Two verses later it says this is done to purge them and make them white. They are being prepared for entrance into the presence of God. God’s own Son suffered more than most people can even imagine. He willingly gave Himself to be tortured and put to death so that we who accept the salvation He died to provide can live eternally. When we face suffering in this world, we can rest assured that the words in the Revelation are meant for us; we will gain entrance into God’s paradise and be able to eat the fruit of the tree of life. When we overcome the adversities of this life, we will attain life everlasting—the SURE promise of God.