Through Many Tribulations

"And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God'" (Acts 14:21-22; NKJV).
Every Christian will enter the kingdom of God "through many tribulations" (Acts 14:22). "Tribulations" literally means "pressure." Vine says it refers to "anything that burdens the spirit." From Pentecost until Jesus comes again, the Dragon is making war with those who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12:17). The “pressure” we experience will continue until the Devil is “cast into the lake of fire” at the second coming of Jesus (Revelation 20:10).
If I am to enter the Kingdom I must adopt a proper perspective about the tribulations. The mind of Christ concerning the “pressure” I will experience is revealed in the Roman letter: “…we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God have been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5; NKJV).
While I long for the “pressure” to end, I wait. And I remember. I remember the precious truth contained in these words: “Who shall separate us from the love Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35; NKJV). The “pressure” I experience is not powerful enough to separate me “from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:39; NKJV).
As I experience these “many tribulations” where is God? He is near. And He comforts me. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; NKJV). On your way to the Kingdom, receive His comfort. Comfort others. Continue in the faith. Long to join “the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14; NKJV).
Jason