“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes…” Matt 24:7

Are we really entering the “Last Days” this time? Over the years, signs and omens, prophesies fulfilled, God’s “time-clock” (Israel) have alerted the church to ask this vital question. The uptick in destabilizing and frightening trends worldwide, especially the deadly pandemic, have sounded an alarm: is this the beginning of the End? Many of us are feeling the urgency to be better prepared. Rightly so! But how?

Many Bible teachers are digging into Daniel and Revelation. Calendars and charts are being drafted to interpret modern events in light of prophesy. Newspapers and social media are being scoured. We’ve all noticed an increase in dreams and prophesies being circulated. While these are all valid responses, the question I am asking is more basic: Are we prepared to suffer?

Persecution is one of those subjects that is hard to talk about. Sermons on the subject don’t get many “likes”! Who wouldn’t rather hear messages about revival?! Peter didn’t agree. Much of 1 Peter is about suffering. He literally exhorts us to “arm yourselves” with the thought of suffering (4:1). This is one of those things for which we do not want to be ill-prepared! If we are caught off guard, we may well compromise, capitulate, or crumble.

I believe one of the keys to you and I standing firm in the face of intense pressure is to learn from those who have endured great hardships for the sake of the gospel. I for one have been blessed to know many who have been persecuted. This includes more than 50 pastors who suffered for more than 20 years prisons for their faith. I also served as a Romanian pastor’s interpreter and co-laborer for hundreds of sermons and thousands of miles on the road over a four year period. Pastor Daniel had burn marks and scars all over his body from the tortures he had received. And yet he was joyful and showed no bitterness. Let me pass on a few things I have gleaned from these courageous forerunners.

First, I learned that there is a special grace and favor available to those who suffer for His Name. Paul wrote this to the church in Philippi, where he had been flogged and put in a dungeon with his feet fastened in stocks: “that it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Ph 1:29). The word granted in Greek is charizomai, from which we get the words grace and gift. The persecuted have latched on to an extraordinary truth that I believe God wants to us to shout from the rooftops in these Last Days: Rather than shrink in fear in the face of suffering and increasing turmoil, let us lift up our heads in anticipation of a manifestation of God’s grace and glory like we have never seen before. God’s gifts often come wrapped in packages we least expect.

Based on his experience as one who had been tortured, Peter wrote to encourage the Christians that suffering can be a blessing in disguise. He exhorted them: “Rejoice to the extent that you partake (Gr. koinoneo) of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” 1 Pt 4:12-14.

It’s remarkable that Peter used the word koinoneo here. This exquisite Greek word speaks of deep fellowship and communion. I used to read the phrase, when his glory is revealed to mean at The Second Coming. While Jesus most definitely will bestow all manner of rewards and blessings upon us when He returns, Peter assures us that intimacy and glory are for the present, i.e. in the midst of suffering. Paul sang as he was bound and bloodied in prison. Peter speaks of inexpressible joy in trials. No wonder the father of China’s House Church, Wang Mingdao, described his 23 years and 10 months in prison to as a honeymoon with Jesus!

I’ve thought long about Stephen’s example in suffering. After declaring the works of God boldly to the Sanhedrin, even as they were picking up stones to kill him, the Bible says he saw the heavens opened before him and Jesus was standing at the right hand of the throne of God (Acts 7:56). We know the Bible clearly says that Jesus is supposed to be sitting while God makes all His enemies to become His footstool (Ps 110:1). And yet, He stood up for Stephen.

After all these years, I can say with much assurance that if you are granted to suffer or be persecuted for His sake, He will stand up for you, too. His grace will sustain you, and His glory will rest upon you. The heavens will be opened to you, and His presence will be tangible. You may even find yourself bubbling over with inexplicable joy. Although we can never be fully “armed” to suffer, I pray the testimonies of those who have gone before us as shining examples will give you confidence to endure whatever may come your way as we enter the “Last Days.”