Page 51 - The Gate and the Way

Revelation 21:4
And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any
death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things
have passed away.

This pattern is declared everywhere throughout the pages of Scripture. It is an
inviolable principle. It is appointed unto mankind to experience mourning, crying and pain.
There will be sorrow and suffering in this age, but those who embrace it, and walk faithfully
with the Father, will find that it is merely the precursor to far surpassing and glorious things
to come.

Psalms 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro
weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

II Corinthians 4:17
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far
beyond all comparison...

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.

These last two passages were written by the apostle Paul. His life on this earth was also
a tragedy. Yahweh was the author of those experiences Paul was required to pass through.
At the very time that Yahweh made His call on Paul’s life known, He declared:

Acts 9:15-16
He is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings
and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's
sake.

People of God, the Spirit expressly declares that God has a predetermined path for
each of our lives. The plan He has designed for you and I could very aptly be described as
a tragedy, for He promises that the only way to life is by following an “afflicted path,” and
no man can be Christ’s disciple unless he takes up “his cross” and follows in the steps of
Yahshua. The following words summarize the experience set before those who accept
Christ’s invitation to follow Him.

Romans 8:35-36
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your
sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

Yes, these words are written for your sake, and mine. Whenever a man or woman