Suffering & Glory

“Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” -Luke 24:26

In April of 2019, while alone in prayer, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart;
“If you are despised for me on Earth, you will have much more glory in heaven.” 

”What does it mean to be despised?” I wondered. I know the Word of God says Jesus; “was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” -Isaiah 53:3 

Wanting to know more, I looked up a few definitions for the word despised. The Merriam-Webster defines it as: to look down on with disrespect or aversion; to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful
Cambridge Dictionary says: to feel a strong dislike for someone or something because you think that that person or thing is bad or has no value. 

Over the next few months, I treasured the word God gave to me in my heart. I also began to hear from the Lord that I needed to start focusing on eternal rewards. That earth is where we are storing up rewards and glory. There was a call to endure suffering but to also look to Heaven and the time and rewards there. To be encouraged that it would ALL be with Jesus! 

The following months the Lord also brought much confirmation through His word about what I was hearing. It is amazing to see how many scriptures speak of the rewards in heaven and storing up our treasures there.

Later that same year, one evening in the fall, I was spending time alone with the Lord. Pondering the word He spoke to me about being despised, I asked Him; “God, why would you want me to be despised?”
The Holy Spirit then spoke to my heart; “Because, I want to bless you.”

“WHAT?!” I immediately thought. Is that you, God? I was so unsure of what I had just heard. Then the following scripture came to mind…
“BLESSED are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your REWARD is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” -Matthew 5:11-12 (Emphasis mine)

Wow! I was amazed and wanted to know more. I immediately googled “scriptures about suffering” and all the following verses came up. I used the ESV translation. The words in CAPS are my own emphasis as these words in particular stood out to me.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is PREPARING for us an eternal weight of GLORY beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”  -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the GLORY that is to be revealed to us.” -Romans 8:17-18

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are BLESSED, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” -1 Peter 4:14

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” -1 Peter 4:12-13

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while DOING GOOD.” -1 Peter 4:19

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, BLESS, for to this you were called, that you may OBTAIN a BLESSING.” 1 Peter 3:9

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be BLESSED. Have NO fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” -1 Peter 3:14-16

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.” -Philippians 1:29

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like him in His death.” -Philippians 3:10

Those are just a few scriptures. There are many, many more in the Word of God that speak of the suffering that the Bride of Christ may endure.

We also know, that as the end draws near, there will be a time of endurance for the saints for; “those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” -Revelation 14:12

In closing, I would like to share with you two scriptures that bring much hope and joy, even in the midst of death and suffering. To know that God sees the hurt, pain, rejection, persecution, and even the despised. Our sufferings will not be wasted. There is SO much on the other side. Remember who you are and Whose you are. You are a child of the Most High God; loved, called from darkness into His marvelous light, redeemed, and a beautiful Bride, patiently awaiting the return of our Bridegroom; Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! What a glorious day that will be! Until then, stand firm in your faith, Love and do good, fear God and HOPE in His steadfast love. He is forever faithful! 
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” Blessed indeed, “says the Spirit, “that they may rest their labors, for their deeds follow them!” -Revelation 14:13

“Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had NOT worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. BLESSED and holy is the one who shared in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has NO power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” -Revelation 20:4-6