Sufferings and Transformation for New Jerusalem (4)
The Lord allows us to pass through many difficulties and sufferings so that the Spirit can bring forth something precious to God in us, the precious stones of New Jerusalem.
Not only has God shared His nature with us, but day by day He is making us a certain kind of people who can bring glory to His name….What the Holy Spirit forms in us by means of the environment will abide forever. When a Christian receives more dealings in a certain way, he will learn more lessons in that way. This will produce an outstanding character in him, a character which will not come to an end after several years, but which will abide for eternity. What he has obtained will forever be a precious stone in the New Jerusalem.*
New Jerrusalem is a city of gold, pearls, and precious stones. All of these are for God’s glory. The stones are brought forth through the sufferings in this age. Romans 8:15-17a says we are both children of God and heirs.
Verse 17 continues, “…joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him.”
in Romans 8:18 Paul continues, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed upon us.” This suffering is an aspect of God’s preparation of New Jerusalem and the glory is a major characteristic of New Jerusalem.
* From chapter 5 of The Glorious Church by Watchman Nee, published and © by Living Stream Ministry, available at www.ministrybooks.org/ and www.livingstream.com/en/the-church/8012401-glorious-church-the.html.
Posted by Don on July 4, 2022
