It's not what you are going through; it's where you are going to!

Turn your Bible to the Romans 8:18

Romans 8:18 (KJV 1900)

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

This verse reminded me of a quote from my pastor when I was stationed in Jacksonville, FL, the late Apostle RJ Washington. Therefore, I will name the message after his quote. It's not what you're going through; it's where you are going to.

The purpose of this message is to help us understand and endure the suffering of this present time. Additionally, this message will help us focus on and understand God's glory.

For I reckon (Logizomai)- count, consider, think, reason -As believers, we should take to deeply search meditate and count the cost. Luke 14:27-28

Luke 14:27–28 KJV 1900

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

James 1:2 KJV 1900

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

First, let's examine the theology of suffering. The team suffering (pathēmata) - pathos - a quality of pity and sadness- Hardship, discomfort,

Those in healthcare may be familiar with the term Pathology- the study of disease (dis-ease) Suffering is dis-ease

Before the fall of man, suffering did not exist. Genesis 1:26-31

Genesis 1:26–31 KJV 1900

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Adam and Eve walked in harmony with God with all their needs met.

Adam and Eve had unlimited access to God’s presence

Adam and Eve were not ashamed and condemned.

Adam and Eve had dominion, blessed and empowered to prosper.

Adam and Eve has no sickness and disease

On the other hand, after the fall of suffering became part of the human experience. Genesis 3: 8-22

Genesis 3:8–22 KJV 1900

And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Adam and Eve hid themselves

Adam and were afraid and ashamed

Loss their dominion

Experienced pain in childbearing

Man experiences lack-Work, toll, and sweat to eat and provide for himself (scarcity of resources).

Man lived an atmosphere of curses rather than blessings.

Man loses his unlimited access to God

Separation from God’s goodness through spiritual and physical death.

What kind of suffering is happening today?

Disease, sickness, relationship problem

2 Timothy 3:1–8 KJV 1900

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

What Kind of suffering is prophesied to happen in the future? Matthew 24:21

Matthew 24:21 KJV 1900

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Revelation 6:16 KJV 1900

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Suffering is a painful experience that happens to us on this earth. The bible is clear that suffering will occur in a believer and unbeliever's life.

Apostle Paul gives us the Biblical perspective on suffering.

Suffering is real and will happen

All that live godly will suffer persecution 2 Tim 3:12

2 Timothy 3:12 KJV 1900

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

The glory of Christ is greater than any suffering that we may experience.

Mosses

Hebrews 11:25–29 KJV 1900

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Suffering is temporary but glory is eternal

Psalm 30:5 KJV 1900

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

John 16:33 KJV 1900

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Let's talk about God’s glory revealed in us. The term in the original language

doxa: opinion (always good in N.T.), hence praise, honor, glory

Original Word: δόξα, ης, ἡ Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: doxa Phonetic Spelling: (dox'-ah) Definition: opinion (always good in NT), praise, honor, glory Usage: honor, renown; glory, an especially divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, splendor.

Shekinah or Shechinah (see BB. DD. under the word), the glory of the Lord, and simply ἡ δόξα, a bright cloud by which God made manifest to men his presence and power on earth

The visible manifestation of God’s glory!!!!!

Exodus 33:18 KJV 1900

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Exodus 33:19–20 KJV 1900

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Exodus 33:21–23 KJV 1900

And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

God’s glory is His goodness and mercy, ---Goodness and mercy shall follow me

God’s glory is His Power and Authority - Holy Ghost and Word of God

God glory is His presence-

2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV 1900

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

We are carriers of God’s glory-

2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV 1900

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Without the glory revealed in us, we have no hope

Colossians 1:27 KJV 1900

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Let’s surrender all to Him!