The Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ
Patience. It is a virtue that many of us find lacking in our life. I do. In the age of fast food, microwave ovens and 4G Cell phones, patience is not what we strive for, or pray about.
In the first chapter of the book of Revelation, we find the following words:
“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ..”
Jesus is continually offered as the example we must follow as becoming Christians. I found it intriguing that in this setting, we find the combination of “The Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.”
Spirit and Truth
Light and Darkness
The question is are these associated concepts or contrasting?
Spirit and truth are companion graces, as are faith, hope, and love. So when we see the combining of Kingdom and patience are these complementary or contrasting?
The Greek word that is translated patience is defined as “Cheerful endurance for what is coming.”
We see this in Hebrews 12 when speaking of Jesus,
“Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
You see a glimpse into this similar combining of these principles. If you also take into account that Paul had been a persecutor of the Church and John, while writing the words, “Kingdom and patience” was exiled to an island after tremendous persecution.
The Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ.
Most of you reading this know what it means because you understand that in our striving, praying and working toward the kingdom find ourselves facing many challenges. Within and without the church. Within and without our own selves.
How shall we see the Kingdom? The necessary virtue, “The patience of Jesus Christ.”
To have a fresh impartation of the patience of Jesus Christ will instill within us a joyful endurance to continue on.
Reminds me of the song,
“I feel like going on”
I feel like going on
Though trials come on every hand
I feel like going on
Though the storm may be raging
And the billows are tossing high, but
I feel like going on
The Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ
In Him, By Him, Through Him,
Scott Phillips