When God Says …
“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.” (Luke 21:12-13 KJV).
In this instance of our Lord’s prophetic revelation, He prepares His disciples for extreme persecution they will face in His name’s sake. He warns them that their suffering will be their testimony. Instead of viewing imprisonment and standing before rulers and religious leaders as defeat, our Lord Jesus reframes these trials as divine opportunities to witness for His message of truth.
He conveys these words to His disciples as He was about to face His own imminent arrest, trial and crucifixion in the hands of religious Jews. He warns that, as His followers, they will face the same hate and hostility. They will experience trials before judges and rulers, in religious synagogues and royal courts. Prison will become a common experience. It’s all because they rest by grace in His Name.
These verses contain a profound twist for truth: human malice is being transformed into a divine testimonial platform. The Greek word for "testimony" is ‘martyrion’, which declares that our defense as believers in the face of death would become the ultimate example of the power of the gospel of grace. This, Apostle Paul affirmed in his testimonial exhortation to encourage us. It is written: “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:14-17 NIV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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