Adversity

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Genesis 50:20

 

 Adversity is something we would like to forego.  It is said, “adversity builds character.”  Consider the life of Joseph.  He was betrayed by his brothers, hated, persecuted, made a slave, falsely accused, imprisoned, forgotten, and punished unjustly.  The Bible says, (Gen. 39:2) And the LORD was with Joseph, (v.3) … the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. After Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison, the Bible says, (21) … But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy…  Adversity brought out the Lord in Joseph’s life, and he could say, God meant it unto good.

Job, a name synonymous with adversity, said (Job 5:7), Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.  As a young boy, during our family camping trips, I loved to watch the logs burn on the campfire.  The golden hot embers would pop, and then sparks would leap out into the darkness.  The sparks are like the Christian.  He is born unto trouble, but in Christ, he triumphs and rises above the fiery flames.  The Apostle Paul reminds the Christian, (Rom. 8:37), Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  We are not to succumb to our difficulties, but rise above our trials.  Our battles are not merely chance or circumstance. 

Why would God allow adversity and trouble to come into our lives?  It is two-fold.  First, so we will not trust in the weak arm of the flesh.  (Prov. 24:10)  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.  Second, we learn to trust in God.  Remember, God’s plans and purposes are greater than our adversities.

(Eccl. 7:14) In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.  King Solomon says that if it were not for adversity, man would soon replace God with his own gods of self-gratification. 

“A sound body, a brilliant mind, a cultural background, a huge amount of money, a wonderful education — none of these guarantee success.  Booker T. Washington was born in slavery.  Thomas Edison was deaf.  Abraham Lincoln was born of illiterate parents.  Lord Byron had a club foot.  Robert Louis Stevenson had tuberculosis.  Alexander Pope was a hunchback.  Admiral Nelson had only one eye.  Louis Pasteur, was so near-sighted that he had a difficult time finding his way in his laboratory without glasses.  There was Helen Keller, who could not hear or see, but who graduated with honors from a famous college.” (Unknown) What adversities have shaped your life to be more like Christ?    

Pastor Horst A. Trojahn

 

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender,and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

Matthew 24:32-33

 

Jesus, after leaving Bethany on His way to Jerusalem,

saw the fig tree and noticed the many leaves, but upon closer examination, there were no figs.
The Lord cursed the fig tree.
It is symbolic of Israel, and for these 2000 years, her land lay waste and barren.
At Pentecost, Simeon hath declared how God at first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name (Acts 15:19).
And surely we can testify that the church age, this dispensation of grace, God has wonderfully fulfilled His word concerning the Gentile nations.

But Jesus says, Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
God wants us to know that Israel represents the fig tree. The Lord’s coming was the time of her season of bearing fruit, but none was found. In Romans 11:21, …God spared not the natural branches (Israel) but the Gentiles … being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them (v.17). Therefore, He warns us that we too will be cursed if we reject Him. I believe that in these last days God has given us a sign.
Hosea 6:1-2, Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten. and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us ( Israel )up, and we shall live in his sight.
The fig tree of Israel has been scattered among all the nations of the world for two complete days of God’s timetable, (1000 years/ one day) but on the third day, Israel would be providentially returned to its land, and begin the rebirth process. The reemergence of the state of Israel has always been a prerequisite for the fulfillment of prophetic destiny for all nations. The prophet Ezekiel says that when Israel returns from all nations, the Lord will execute His judgments. This is call the seven year tribulation (Ezek. 28:25,26).

Dear Christians, the fig tree carries with it a certain prophetic promise, Mt 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. The Fig Tree is alive, her blossoms and leaves signify the soon return of Christ. The skeptics try to persuade us to ignore the signs and prophecies of scripture. Be ready, His redemption draweth nigh… Pastor Horst