Context: Peter has been instructing the elders and the young men of the church on leadership principles.
Text:
1 Peter 5:8-10 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Rev 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
Rev 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Did you know that the word 'devil' only shows up in the New Testament? Your trivia fact for the day!
Peter tells us that the devil is looking for someone to devour. If you read the above passages in Revelation, you find out that he is angry because he knows that his time is short. He's angry at God, therefore he will take his revenge out on those God loves most, the faithful. When we stand firm and do good in the name of the Lord, it's like throwing salt on his wound and he's furious.
Peter reminds us that others around the world are standing firm through suffering, which gives us greater motivation to make it through the devil's fury. But in our insulated world, we lose sight of what our brothers and sisters are suffering. If you have a minute, check out this story
This is from the Voice of the Martyrs website (www.persecution.com). If you go there daily, you will read new stories about specific people who are suffering the wrath of satan so the gospel of Christ may be known. Their ability to remain faithful will be rewarded with the crown of life. And check out the last verse from Revelations -- God wins!
Take a minute and pray for these brave young men and women -- your prayers may make the difference in their ability to stand firm.
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