Revelation 2:10:
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful until death: and I will give thee the crown of life.
Our true prosperity is in Heaven.
<< Matthew 10 >>
New American Standard Bible
28“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31“So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
32“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33“But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35“For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.
37“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39“He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
But notice it shall accomplish when it is returned to him.
This is not what the Scripture cited (Isaiah 55:11) says. The point is that just as the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without watering the earth and thereby causing it to produce a harvest (which is exactly what God intended for the rain and snow to do); so also the word of God that goes out of God's mouth--it accomplishes everything that God intends for it to accomplish.
This is a powerful statement of God's will of decree; that all that God purposes to do, He will do. There is no mention of any man speaking God's word. Notice that the text says, "My word . . . which goes forth from My mouth." This is God determining what shall be done, God speaking (putting into action) His plan, and the plan fully accomplishing all of God's purpose.
What God has decreed to happen will happen regardless of what any man may say or do.
If only the Apostle Paul knew about this. He suffered so much poverty and hardship needlessly.
Paul made a huge mistake when he prayed to God to remove the thorn in the flesh. He should have just declared himself healed and had faith in faith and God would have been forced to act on his behalf. Such a shame Paul didn’t have Kenneth Copland to teach him how to deal with his afflictions./s
Acts 5
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a piece of land,
2 And by fraud kept back part of the price of the land, his wife being privy thereunto: and bringing a certain part of it, laid it at the feet of the apostles.
3 But Peter said: Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost, and by fraud keep part of the price of the land?
4 Whilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost. And there came great fear upon all that heard it.
6 And the young men rising up, removed him, and carrying him out, buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
8 And Peter said to her: Tell me, woman, whether you sold the land for so much? And she said: Yea, for so much.
9 And Peter said unto her: Why have you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of them who have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out.
10 Immediately she fell down before his feet, and gave up the ghost. And the young men coming in, found her dead: and carried her out, and buried her by her husband.
11 And there came great fear upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.