That's why if we're going to endure until the end we need to be prayed up NOW and strong in our faith NOW before it gets "really" bad.
Our suffering will be rewarded. It is temporary.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18
Remember, this was written to a church in a time of great persecution. If you can't fathom being tortured or killed for your faith, you need to spend more time in prayer and fasting, because we never know when the gun will be pointed to our heads.
Remember Columbine?
We need to be prepared, all baiting aside to suffer for Christ's name sake. When Christ said take up your cross, he very well could have meant that literally in some cases. Peter, WAS crucified. Do I want to be tortured for my faith and killed? No. Do I know how it feels? No. Do I absolutely know that in the face of torture I wouldn't deny Christ? No. But I pray to God everyday for the strength to endure. I believe he will perserve those who want to be perserved so the whole "what happens if..." line of questioning is a moot point. God gives to those who ask. Grace is not an excuse for sin. Grace gives us a God-given ability to overcome it.
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
1 Corinthians 10:13
This verse sums it up in it's entirety. God will not ask of us more then we can handle. If he commands us to be true to him in the midst of persecution, that we must, and HE will provide the grace, he will provide the means. My flesh of course fears the idea of ruthless torture, but my spirit knows that my God is faithful, and if he is faithful he'll remain true to his word.
My heart is determined to be saved. My salvation is based on my faith and confession in Christ and my obedience to him and his word. I am therefore to keep my confession by faith and be obedience to him. God will give me grace to do so, I believe it. I don't know how. I lay on my face and cry every night asking God to strengthen this generation, because we are so weak and comfortable and don't even see the battlelines being drawn. We MUST seek Gods will on this. He's given us HIS spirit. Do you not know what the SPIRIT OF CHRIST allowed Christ to endure? Do you not know what type of spirit is in you?
People have the HOLY GHOST deep down in their souls and say they can't stop drinking, smoking, cussing, and watching pornography. Do you know who God is?
No excuses saints. This is the time when our tests will be proven. The Originial Poster of this thread believes that we are crazy, but it will be our generation that will once again PROVE GOD'S WORD TO BE TRUE.
If you, those who have the Holy Ghost say that you can't handle the torture your making God out to be a liar, because HIS WORD said you CAN...
...but your faith is required. I'll withstand with the help, grace, and mercy of MY GOD and it will be a testimony to the sinner man I pray, that God must be who he says he is, if a man would lay down everything for him. God help this generation.
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