Suffering Before Glory

Christians need to prepare for what’s coming… In this podcast, Scott Aniol discusses how Christians can be long-suffering and have endurance in an increasingly anti-Christian culture.

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Creators & Guests

Host

Scott Aniol

Executive Vice President and Editor-in-chief, G3 Ministries. Professor, Grace Bible Theological Seminary. Elder, Pray’s Mill Baptist Church.

What is By the Waters of Babylon with Scott Aniol?

Join Scott Aniol on By the Waters of Babylon as he delves into biblical principles, historical insights, and valuable resources to help Christians navigate and live faithfully in a post-Christian culture. Each episode provides thoughtful discussions aimed at equipping believers to stand firm in their faith and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Subscribe now to gain wisdom and encouragement for living a Christ-centered life in today’s society. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottaniol/support

Scott Aniol: 00:01

When Paul wrote his second epistle to his spiritual son, Timothy, the days were dark for Christians. The first major Roman persecution against Christians had begun on July 18, AD, 64, when emperor Nero started a fire that ravaged Rome so that he could rebuild the city to his liking. Nero, seeking a scapegoat for the disaster, blamed the fire on the Christians, launching a brutal campaign of persecution against them. Among the many casualties of Nero's reign of terror was the apostle Paul who was imprisoned in Rome when he wrote this letter to Timothy. Paul knew his death was imminent, and he made that clear later in this letter telling Timothy he was nearing the end of his life.

Scott Aniol: 00:45

Shortly after writing this, Paul was beheaded for his faith. This epistle, 2nd Timothy, would be Paul's last letter filled with the weight of a man standing on the threshold of eternity. Imagine for a moment that you're Timothy or perhaps just a regular Christian living in Ephesus during this time. You're trying to make a living, follow Christ, and remain faithful. What would you need to hear when the world around you seems to be unraveling, when your leaders are imprisoned or killed and your faith makes you a target?

Scott Aniol: 01:18

You might feel discouraged. You would probably be angry at the injustice. Perhaps you'd be tempted to rise up and revolt as the pagan Ephesians had done when Paul preached against their worship of Artemis, or maybe you'd be tempted to hide your faith, keeping it private to avoid persecution. Paul, however, writes to Timothy to address these very temptations. Don't be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, Paul urges.

Scott Aniol: 01:44

Remember those who have gone before you. You have been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not shrink back. Don't be ashamed of my chains, but rather fan into flame what God has called you to do. Paul uses his own example to strengthen Timothy.

Scott Aniol: 02:01

I am not ashamed of the gospel. Paul remained steadfast to the end, enduring suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and he calls Timothy and all of us to do the same. But how can we endure such suffering and stand firm in our faith when everything around us seems to be collapsing? How can we keep living faithfully for Christ when persecution and oppression increase? Even though we live centuries after Paul's time, his message to Timothy is important for us today.

Scott Aniol: 02:34

Persecution against Christianity seems to be on the rise globally. According to the 2024 world watch list by Open Doors, nearly 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith last year. 1000 more were abducted, churches were attacked, and Christians were forcibly displaced from their homes. In total, more than 365,000,000 Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, an increase from the previous year. That's about 1 in 7 Christians.

Scott Aniol: 03:06

While in many Western countries, we do not yet face the same extreme levels of persecution as our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world, we can sense the growing hostility. Christian business owners are being sued for standing by their faith. Biblical views are labeled as intolerant, and even quoting scripture is sometimes considered hate speech. Anti Christian policies are beginning to find their way into legislation. So how do we endure this rising pressure and stand firm in the faith?

Scott Aniol: 03:39

In 2 Timothy 2:8 through 13, Paul offers 3 foundational truths that help us endure through suffering. Paul's first exhortation is to remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead, the offspring of David. Paul is not concerned that we might forget Jesus, but he calls us to continually keep Christ before us, to remember him in a way that sustains and strengthens us through trials. But what exactly are we to remember about Christ? His resurrection, Christ's victory over death is central to the gospel.

Scott Aniol: 04:16

While we often focus on his crucifixion and the forgiveness it secured for us, it is the resurrection that secures the victory. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 17 that without the resurrection, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. Christ's resurrection is proof that death is not the final word. Why is this so important for enduring suffering? Because before there was resurrection, there was death.

Scott Aniol: 04:44

Before Christ could rise in victory, he had to suffer and die. His journey was one of suffering before glory. This sets a precedent for us as well. We too will endure suffering before experiencing glory. But his resurrection wasn't the final victory.

Scott Aniol: 05:03

Paul goes on to remind us that Jesus is the offspring of David, which highlights his role as the promised messiah. Christ's resurrection wasn't just a personal victory, it was his declaration as the eternal king, fulfilling the covenant God made with David. This king will reign forever, and we are part of his kingdom. Yet even Christ had to endure suffering before being exalted to rule. As followers of Christ, we can expect a similar path.

Scott Aniol: 05:33

Suffering comes before glory. Just as Christ endured before his resurrection and ascension, we too will endure hardship before receiving the fullness of our reward. This truth is essential for maintaining perspective when persecution strikes. If we forget that suffering precedes glory, we may be tempted to despair or fall away from the faith. The second truth Paul gives to help us endure is found in verse 9.

Scott Aniol: 06:01

Though we may be bound, the word of God is not bound. Even if we face persecution, imprisonment, or worse, the message of the gospel cannot be shackled. This was a personal reality for Paul who was imprisoned as he wrote this letter. He tells Timothy that it is for the sake of the gospel that he suffers bound with chains as a criminal. Yet despite his physical limitations, Paul knows that the word of God continues to spread unstoppable by human efforts.

Scott Aniol: 06:33

Throughout history, persecution has often served to spread the gospel even more. Instead of halting the advance of Christianity, opposition has often fueled its growth. Suffering for Christ can be one of the most powerful testimonies of the faith. When people see believers standing firm in the face of persecution, it demonstrates the power and truth of the gospel. For this reason, Paul encourages Timothy and us not to focus on our limitations, but to trust in the power of God's word.

Scott Aniol: 07:05

Our suffering does not hinder God's plan, and it may even be the means through which others come to faith. As Paul says in verse 10, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The final truth Paul gives us is found in verses 11 and 12. If we endure, we will also reign with him. Paul assures us that just as Christ was raised to reign, so too will we be raised to eternal life and share in his rule.

Scott Aniol: 07:41

This promise of future resurrection and reign with Christ is a profound motivation for enduring suffering. Just as Jesus' resurrection was not the end, but the beginning of his eternal reign, so too our suffering will be followed by glory. Paul reminds us that the hardships we face in this life are temporary. They are the prelude to eternal glory. However, this reign is contingent upon our endurance.

Scott Aniol: 08:09

If we endure, we will also reign with him. Endurance is key. We must remain faithful to Christ even through trials to receive the reward promised to us. Paul also issues a sobering warning in verse 12. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

Scott Aniol: 08:28

The turn away from Christ in times of trial is to forfeit the promise of reigning with him. God is faithful to his promises, both of blessing and judgment. Those who persevere in faith will share in Christ's glory, but those who deny him will be denied the reward of eternal life. In light of these truths, how do we practically remember Christ's resurrection and the promise of glory that sustains us through suffering? One of the ways God has ordained for us to continually remember is through the rhythm of the Lord's day.

Scott Aniol: 09:01

Each Lord's day as we gather for worship, we are reminded of Christ's victory over death and the promise of his return. The Lord's day serves as a weekly reset for our souls, a time to step away from the cares of this world and remember the eternal perspective. As we confess our sins, hear the word preached, and partake in the Lord's table, we remember the suffering Christ endured on our behalf and the glory that awaits us. Observing the Lord's day in this way helps us to fix our eyes on Jesus, as Hebrews 12:2 exhorts us to do. For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross.

Scott Aniol: 09:41

Christ's example of endurance motivates us to press on, knowing that our suffering is not in vain. In a world increasingly hostile to the Christian faith, Paul's message to Timothy is as relevant now as it was then. We are called to endure suffering for the sake of Christ, knowing that suffering precedes glory. We are reminded that while we may be bound, the word of God is never bound. And we are assured that if we endure, we will share in Christ's resurrection and reign.

Scott Aniol: 10:14

As we face trials and opposition, may we continually remember these truths, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. And may the Lord's day serve as a weekly reminder of the victory that is already ours in Christ and the glory that is yet to come.