The power to withstand something challenging defines the word endurance. This is what God had in mind when He chose specific people to fulfill His purpose; when He called people out of this world to an understanding of His plan that only He could reveal to those who answered His calling. An everlasting commitment of obedience is the requirement to obtain everlasting life while also ruling with God the Father and Jesus Christ, as part of their Family, here on earth in the Kingdom of God, in the coming time ahead (compare Matthew 19:17; 2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 8:7; Revelation 20:4-6).
This tremendous calling, however, shouldn’t be taken lightly and for granted; rather, it requires obedient effort, perseverance and endurance until the end. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).
We will be blessed when we endure UNTIL the end. This is a life-long commitment of living God’s Way of Life. If we have chosen to live this Way, by keeping ALL of His commandments, taken the necessary steps to becoming truly baptized, then we are in it for life.
If we haven’t, then even our physical life we are living now could be in jeopardy! “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth” (Revelation 3:10, NIV). It should be quite evident that we must have much patience in our lives—especially when going through problems and hoping for answers right away. The test we are faced with is whether we have the trust and confidence in God to deal with our situation and whether we have the belief that God will provide the answer in His due time, IF we let Him.
There is much worry in the world today. Everywhere we look, what we hear about, what we read about, in some way or another involves concern. Satan is doing his job. There may be temporary relief of “happiness” but a permanent outcome of joy is not possible without God in our lives. That is why it is highly important that we keep going, doing what is right, not letting distractions hinder us and prevent us from reaching our ultimate goal. The world will soon find out just how awful things will get, with conditions so horrible that if Jesus Christ wouldn’t return to put an end to all this destruction, NO ONE would be saved! Because we KNOW this, blessed are we who endure UNTIL THE END.
