The Sequel

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

All of us have an outer shell that is decaying. In other words, it is dying. And as we grow older our "outer man" will suffer all kinds of aches and pain. But it will only seem a "light affliction" when we receive what has been promised in the next.  The promise of this "sequel" enables us not to lose heart as we see loved ones suffer, or experience affliction ourselves.

"No trial has taken you except what is human. Now, faithful is God, Who will not be leaving you to be tried above what you are able, but, together with the trial, will be making the sequel also, to enable you to undergo it." (1 Corinthians 10:13 CLNT)

So we just have to suck it up and trust that it is necessary to suffer now in order to appreciate our future Glory in God's grand Sequel!

"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." (Romans 8:18)

”No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

When you look at the Greek words translated “temptation” and “way of escape” above you learn that they could (and should) have been translated “trial” and “sequel”. I personally am convinced this fits the context of the "end of the ages", as well as my personal experience with life. Verse 11 had said about the experiences of Israel in the wilderness…

“...they were written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

Mankind has been tried in past ages and is tried in this present age. All trials show us much evil as well as good. The contrast between good and evil is what we are learning about. The trial brings out the facts about mankind’s failure when left to his own will, resources and wisdom. At the end of the trial mankind dies for missing the mark (sin)…and needs a Savior!

And he has one… there is going to be a “SEQUEL” to the present trials of the evil ages. The resurrection where God makes “all things new” and God (not man) is "All in all".

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order…so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)