Present suffering and future glory
[Romans 8:18]
Look at 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 to us.” I would like to think about two things based on this verse: (1) “the sufferings of this present time” and (2) “the glory that is to be revealed”.
First, let us think about “the sufferings of this present time”.
The Apostle Paul speaks of “the sufferings of this present time” in Romans 8:18, and “this present” here refers to this world. Therefore, “the suffering of this present time” refer to the sufferings of this world. There are many sufferings in this world. In this world there are many sorrowful things, agonizing things, and sinful things, and there are many things to die for. We can divide “the sufferings” that the Apostle Paul refers to in Romans 8:18 into two broad categories: (1) It is suffering in Christ. This suffering refers to the suffering experienced because of the name of Jesus by those who have received Jesus through faith in Jesus Christ. (2) It is suffering outside of Christ. This suffering refers to the suffering experienced by those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. ‘The sufferings of this present time’ in Romans 8:18 refer to those who suffer for the name of Jesus because we believe in Jesus. If we believe in Jesus, we will receive blessings, but why do we suffer? If we believe in Jesus, we will not only receive blessings, but we will also suffer hardships. The Bible says that if we believe in Jesus, we must suffer. Look at Acts 14:22 - “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’” The Bible says that we must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God. Look at Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’” The Bible says that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. How difficult and painful must it be to deny ourselves and take up our cross. It can be a series of sufferings, and just as Jesus died on the cross, we can also die for the name of Jesus Christ.
In Revelation 7:4-14, there are 144,000 people (v. 4). The Apostle John called this number “a great multitude which no one could count” (v. 9). They are clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (v. 9), praising God, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (v. 10). These are people who have suffered great tribulation and have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb (v. 14). This suffering is a gift of God's grace. Look at Philippians 1:29 – “For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Of course, faith is also a gift of God's grace. No matter how hard-hearted a person may be, if God gives him faith as a gift of grace, he too will believe in Jesus and receive his salvation. However, no matter how good a person is, if God does not give him faith as a gift of grace, even if he wants to believe in Jesus, he cannot believe. However, the Bible says that suffering is a gift of God's grace (Phil. 1:29). It is the privilege of the children of God to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ. The apostles rejoiced in suffering in the name of Jesus. Suffering refines us (growth and matures spiritually). Look at Romans 5:3-4: “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope.” Suffering is not something that each of us suffers alone, but Jesus Christ suffers together. Look at Romans 8:17 – “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” When we suffer, Jesus Christ suffers with us, so suffering is a blessing. That is why, although we are weak and lacking, we can endure sufferings and finally overcome them.
Second and last, let us think about “the glory that is to be revealed”.
In Romans 8:18, the second half, the Apostle Paul speaks of “... the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Here, Paul is talking about future’ (“is to be”), that is the world to come, not this world. He is talking about the afterlife, that is, the heaven/eternal world. Then, what is that future “glory”?
(1) The Holy Spirit will also give life to our mortal bodies.
Look at Romans 8:11 – “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” We humans are made up of spirit and body. The body will die because of sin, but the spirit will live forever in heaven because of righteousness. At the second coming of Jesus, the Holy Spirit will also raise our dead bodies. He will raise us up with a glorious body, a strong body, and a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:43-44). When Jesus comes again, His power will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body (Phil. 3:21). When the Lord comes down from heaven with a shout, the sound of the archangel, and the trumpet of God, those who died believing in Christ are first resurrected (1 Thess. 4:16), and the resurrected glorious body and the spirit in heaven are united and we will live forever in heaven, the eternal kingdom.
(2) We will inherit with Christ.
Look at Romans 8:17 – “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Also, look at Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Look at Matthew 25:34 – “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.”
(1) We will be rewarded.
Look at 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” We will receive the crown of righteousness. What a glorious award this is.
(2) We will reign in heaven forever and ever.
Look at Revelation 22:5 – “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.”
That’s why Apostle Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).
Look at 2 Corinthians 1:5 – “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.” The apostle Paul suffered a lot. To what extent he suffered, he suffered so much that it exceeded his strength, and even his hope to live was cut off (v. 8). Nevertheless, he confidently confessed, ““For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18). Look at 2 Corinthians 4:17 – “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” The Apostle Paul said that the “affliction” he had received was “momentary”. Not only that, he said that his affliction was “light,” that is, a “light affliction”. And not only did Paul confidently speak of the “glory” he was to receive as “glory far beyond all comparison,” he said that the glory was “an eternal weight.” Here, we can't even imagine how heavy it is. In this way, the glory we will receive in the future is eternal and weighty. Therefore, the Apostle Paul said that present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with future glory. He confessed with certainty because his future glory was very certain [“I consider” (Rom. 8:18)]. Like the Apostle Paul, we, too, must be able to confess by faith with this conviction, ‘The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us’ (Rom. 8:18). In doing so, we will have to endure all the sufferings of this world for a while and overcome them well.