Sis C

Let’s look at the broader context of the passage you’re looking at:

Luke 17:24-25 (KJV)
For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. [25] But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

Likewise, those who are in Christ must suffer many things before entering into their glory. This is consistent with the message if the entire Gospel, that the followers of Christ must endure suffering and persecution before glorification.

Romans 8:17 (KJV)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him , that we may be also glorified together.

Mark 10:37-40 (KJV)
They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. [38] But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? [39] And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: [40] But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

You write,

>>probable death is what awaits you. Does that comfort you?

It should, if you are a Christian.

Matthew 5:12 (KJV)
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 10:17-22,24,28,32-33,38-39 (KJV)
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; [18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. [19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. [20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. [21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. [22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [24] The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. [28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. [32] Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. [33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. [38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. [39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Christians must expect to suffer just as Christ suffered, but behold, again in Luke 17,

Luke 17:21b (KJV)
the kingdom of God is within you.

The Ark was a type of Christ, and of the Church, which is His Body.

Just as the Ark was lifted above this earth, so Christ was lifted up on the Cross. Those that are in Christ know that the only escape from the judgment of this world is through union with Christ, and that means taking up one’s cross and following Him. That means suffering, because the servant is not greater than his master. Christ has overcome this world. How? On the Cross! We participate in the victory of Christ when we suffer and die with Him – in all cases death to the world, and in many cases physical death, i.e. martyrdom. There is no greater blessing, no greater comfort, than to suffer and even to die for Christ:

2 Corinthians 1:5 (KJV)
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

As to Lot, one must be careful in applying this Old Testament episode to the New Covenant. In the Old Covenant, God promised temporal blessings to the faithful. In the New Covenant, He bestows spiritual, heavenly riches upon the faithful. Likewise, God rescued Lot from physical death, and turned Marah into a pillar of salt. But in the New Covenant He teaches us not to fear physical death, but rather spiritual death.

Luke 17:32 (KJV)
Remember Lot’s wife.

Indeed. In the New Covenant Christ teaches His disciples that they are the salt of the earth!

Luke 17:33 (KJV)
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Do not seek like Lot to save your life, for therein you will lose it.

Brother D, what a great gift God has blessed you with! Thanks for sharing your writing talent with us. May God continue to use you. Touching the lives of all of us thru the words the Holy Spirit leads you to write.

I can relate to your thinking on whether to store up or not. After praying for a while, I felt lead with the same thoughts as jay did. I’m still looking, hoping and praying for a heavenly exit off this planet….LIKE NOW!!! I’m sooo ready to go! I am tired of this sinful world.

Meet you all in heaven one day real soon!

GOD’S GIRL!!