Page 47 - Christ in You - The Hope of Glory

The Afflicted Way

have but poorly described what awaits the glorified sons of God who attain to the number
Iof the firstborn, and have dimly portrayed the distinctions between the three
resurrections of man. I am hindered from providing a clearer picture of the glories of the
ages to come by my own limited sight. I have seen these things as through a glass darkly (I
Corinthians 13:12).
The best I can urge upon any child of God is simply to believe the witness Yahweh has
provided for us in His word. He has said that the first resurrection is worthy of our utmost
striving.

Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory that is to be revealed in us.

I cannot describe the glory to be revealed in us, for I have not seen it. The apostle John
confessed that “it has not yet appeared what we shall be,” but he said we would be like the
firstborn Son of God in His glory. Such a state is beyond present comprehension.

I Corinthians 2:9
"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered
the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him."

What awaits the overcoming sons of God will be awesome beyond anything in this
present age. God has prepared amazing things for those who have toiled and wept and
suffered in this time of formation of His sons.

Matthew 25:34-35
Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

I know I must bring some balance to this teaching, for although the future is glorious
beyond description for all who attain to that age to come, there is a cost to be borne at this
time. In order to enter into the glory of a resurrected son of God one must be conformed
first to the image and likeness of God. This image and likeness is one of character. Christ
must be fully formed in us before we can reign as members of Christ over the kingdoms of
the earth.
This conforming process is difficult. Yahshua described it in the following way:

Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to
destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the
way is afflicted that leads to life, and few are those who find it.”

The most common English translations of the Scriptures say “the way is narrow.” The
word rendered “narrow” is the Greek word thlibo, which the KJV has rendered in the
following ways: afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble. The most common