ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
approaching. If ever a believer had cause to lift up his head, it is now; for his redemption draweth nigh. Think of all the Jews going back to Palestine! Think of the conditions in Europe! If these things point to the return of Christ in glory, how much nearer is the sign of the translation of the church, because that event must necessarily take place before the vis- ible, glorious coming of the Lord to reign. Paul here wings his way into "the third heaven" (II Cor. I2:2) when he speaks of the coming glory. SUFFERING NOW-GLORY FOREVER 8:I8-25 When he thinks of the coming glory and contemplates the blessed truth that we are heirs of God, what does he say? Read verse I8: "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Are you saying that, my friend? Those of you who are confined-to your beds in pain, are you saying the same thing that Paul says here? Those of you in hospitals. can you say that? Now there is a difference between suffering with Christ and suffering for Christ. I dare say no other man has suffered as Paul did for Christ. Turn to II Cor. I I :23-33, and read of the sufferings of Paul. Probably the most severe trials he endured were those administered by his brethren, the Jews. And besides all the physical anguish, besides all the heart- heaviness, he had the care of the many churches. My! What a suffering man Paul was! In other portions of the Word he says that he was looked upon as "the filth of the world, and . . . the offscouring of all things" (I Cor. 4: I3). Possibly no other person, except our Lord, has gone through more than did Paul. It would have made him discouraged if he had not kept in mind the coming glory. He was ever looking for the coming of the Lord. The horizon of his soul was filled with "that blessed hope." It compensated for all the suffering he under- went. He calculated in profit and loss, and the result was that Page 148]
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