T and T

 Is Tribulation necessary for a Testimony?

The Greek word for tribulation is “thlipsis,” also translated as “affliction, anguish, distress, persecution.”  In present-day Christianity, it is often used in relationship to the prevalent subject of Yeshua’s return.  But one must admit, this term signifies a scary experience, especially as described in the following: “for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall” (Matthew 24:21).  A portrayal of the “tribulation” overcomers is found in Revelation 7:14-15: "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of Elohim; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them” (emphasis added). Not a bad deal after enduring such inconceivable hardship during the most horrendous time on earth! But who wants to stick around for the occasion?  Wouldn’t it be better if we could avoid or skip it, and still end up with the reward? "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and Elohim shall wipe every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7:16-17).

Is washing the robes (from the above quote) “in the blood of the Lamb” the same as the action of those who “overcame him [the accuser of the brethren] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death” (Revelation 12:11)?  The Greek word for testimony is “marturia”, from which the English “martyr” is derived. Scripture points to a linkage between tribulation and testimony/martyrdom.  How else is our faith tested and matured in the knowledge of the One who gave up His life for us? Yes, we are supposed to ‘image’ Yeshua. Still, if that means giving up our life for others, as He did, often our natural tendency is to do the opposite, unlike the definition of, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).  Some will protect the old self life even unto death. We certainly don’t like it when others take advantage of us or disagree with our beliefs, ideas, or opinions. Examining the emotions that arise when someone or something challenges our “self-life” very soon reveals our inner heart’s motivation and beliefs. 

But, as we know, the only way to have a true testimony of the life of Yeshua is to “pick up the cross” and let the dying of Yeshua be worked into us every day through light afflictions or heavy-duty trials. In this world, we cannot escape suffering, nor can we escape the sentence of death - the “cross” - which is a principal principle in the life of a believer.  It is the only way to the rewards above.

The truth of the finished redemptive work of the Messiah must be experienced in real-life situations. To bring out a testimony of “not I but Messiah,” Elohim uses “tribulation.” And so, the power of the Holy Spirit works in us to transform us from what we were in Adam into who we are (supposed to be) now in Messiah. Through daily experiential pressure we are being convinced to believe Elohim’s truth. The process would be much easier if we were to believe in our hearts that “it is no longer I who lives, but Messiah lives in me” (Galatians 2:20) or “that I have died and my life is hidden in Messiah” (Colossians 3:3). This reality may take our entire lifetime until the day we see Him “face to face”. “We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2).  “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Total Victory

 “A Psalm of David. Contend, O YHVH, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of buckler and shield, and rise up for my help. Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.' Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me. Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of YHVH driving them on. Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of YHVH pursuing them” (Psalm 35:1-6 emphasis added).

Many Psalms, like the one above, are relevant today, not just for oneself or the corporate body of Messiah, but also for the nation of Israel. But when we pray this Psalm, do we have YHVH’s New Covenant perspective? That the Father and Yeshua are in sovereign control of everything in the heavens and upon the earth is a given. Indeed, the Psalmist points to his dependence on YHVH and dealings with his enemies. It is the Almighty’s buckler, shield, spear, battle-axe, and angel that accomplish the mission, while the one making the request rests in confident trust.

Total and complete victory over our enemies was accomplished in Yeshua’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Right Hand of the Father.  His blood sealed the New Covenant promised to us and to all of Israel, laying a foundation for the restoration and rebuilding of the House of Jacob and for the establishment of His Kingdom. Our minds may agree with this good news, but do we believe it in our hearts? Does our being evidence peace and rest? Are we in His presence, manifesting His righteousness? 

How we perceive our present life circumstances may be a far cry from His perspective. But as believers in the New Covenant, we have to take the same posture as the Psalmist and prayerfully ask our Heavenly Father to reveal to us His viewpoint, both on the spiritual and the natural levels. What we believe becomes our reality. Thus, if we truly believe the Gospel that YHVH sent His Son to be our salvation, we realize that He has already answered the prayer petition in the above-quoted Psalm. This prayer, therefore, is totally appropriate for a person who has entered His rest and victory.  At this moment (in timeless eternity) we are “raised and seated with … in heavenly places, in Messiah Yeshua” (Ephesians 2:6).  

But on the other hand, if we are full of fear, frustration, and anxiety, what should we request from our Heavenly Father? Should it not be an appeal to Him to reveal His perspective on our situation or experience where fear is felt and for us to believe in our heart the truth of His disclosure?  If our hearts and emotions are not at rest, and His peace is not ruling, then it is time to enquire what lies or half-truths we have been believing.

The Holy Spirit (the Helper) is in us to accomplish YHVH’s purposes and transform us. He is not in us to help us escape the fires that are to take out the dross of lies that we have believed. He is there to establish the truth. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our hearts constitutes YHVH’s kingdom of “righteousness, peace, and joy” (Romans 14:17).

Therefore, why is this not our constant reality? The book of Hebrews provides an answer: “Therefore I was angry with this generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart; and they did not know My ways' (perspective); As I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'" (Hebrews 3:10-11).   ^“And to whom did He swear that they should not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?  And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:18-19 emphasis added). Only through the obedience of faith do we enter His rest. It, therefore, behooves us to take the required test of a New Covenant believer.   “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Yeshua the Messiah is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  The one sure sign of having passed this test is that we have entered His rest; peace rules our heart.  That is why almost every apostolic letter begins with: “Grace to you and peace from Elohim our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah” (Ephesians 1:2).  All four gospels declare that Yeshua came to fulfill the covenant of peace, spoken through the prophets of old (Isaiah 54:10; Ezekiel 34:25; 37:26). Therefore, “let the peace of Messiah rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).