The Apostle Paul knew a lot about suffering. He was not talking about suffering as many people do that have physical ailments, but his was because of his bold testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was not talking about suffering because of his poor eyesight, or because of his advanced years – although he could have. He endured his suffering for Christ because he knew it would be worth it all when He got to Heaven.

Paul’s vision of Heaven in I Corinthians 12 had so strongly impressed him to understand that any suffering down here for Christ would be not even worth mentioning up there because of the far-surpassing glory that awaited those who suffer for Christ. He was one who should know.

We must remember that it was the Holy Spirit who told Paul to write these verses. Also remember that our Lord suffered far greater things than you or I will suffer while on His way to the Cross and then on it.

If we should be called upon to suffer, we have His promise that His grace is sufficient for it. He knows how to keep us.

The “earnest expectation” within our hearts tells us that things are much better in glory than they are here. It is just a matter of time, and we shall reap with great joy if we faint not (quit). All tears will be wiped away, and there will be no more pain, sickness, or death! Praise God!

When the “sons of God” (all believers in Christ) are manifested – glorified, we will be so happy that we endured. The rewards will be distributed and the things that happened in this life will be forgotten, and we will see Him face-to-face. What a glorious day that will be!

The day is yet to come when every believer living today will be transformed into the likeness of Christ. Most likely, this event – called the Rapture – is going to be very soon.

The verse strongly speaks of a know-so salvation, and a true believer should not doubt their salvation. The verse says: “now are we the sons of God.” Although our bodies are currently subject to pain, suffering, occasional doubts, and aging, the day is coming soon when we will never suffer them again.

When He comes for us, our world and lives will never be the same again. Although we cannot fully grasp all that it means or what Heaven is like, we will be able to fully enjoy His presence from then on.

The thing that God wants of us in the meantime is a purifying of ourselves from sin and worldliness. We should be preparing ourselves to live with a holy God Who will destroy the world’s way of living.

Only when we seek to please Him with the way we think and live can we enjoy His presence and power to serve Him as we ought.

There are several types of angels mentioned in the Bible. The word “angel” can be used to refer to both good and evil angels (Satan is called an “angel of light” in II Cor. 11:14). We are told about the cherubim and the seraphim, and the four beasts that surround the Throne of God. Only the names of two good angels are known – Michael and Gabriel.

The Bible does not reveal exactly when the angels were created. It is known that they were present at creation and saw at least some of it happen, according to Job 38:6,7. In those verses, the angels are called the “sons of God.”

Sometime after creation, Satan fell. He was God’s wisest and most beautiful being. His sin was that he was not satisfied with his given position and desired to be worshiped as God (Isaiah 14:12-14) – wanting to usurp His position. When he transgressed, he took one-third of the angels with him.

As far as Satan’s power goes today, he is no match for the power of God. Jesus said He saw Satan fall as lightning from Heaven (Luke 10:18). God gives us His armor which can completely protect us from all of Satan’s darts (temptations – Ephesians 6:10-18). Satan’s power is limited by God for our protection – but he is still smarter and more powerful than we are, which means we can still fall to his deceptions and lies. Some angels (locust demons) are bound in the “bottomless pit” (Hell) now (Revelation 9:1-3).

God’s good angels – which are never mentioned as being female or little cherubs! – are always present around the believer (Psalm 34:7). Although invisible, they interact with humans all the time, and some may take on human form and appear briefly for some Divine purpose (Hebrews 13:2). We may never know how often they have helped us!

Angels are much stronger than humans – one killed 185,000 soldiers in one night! They are never to be worshiped! Hollywood’s depiction of angels and demons is a farce and far from reality. We must get our truth from the Word of God.

After believers are in glory, Paul tells us that we shall judge angels (I Corinthians 6:3). What their ministry will be after we get to glory is unknown.

The Lord Jesus Christ was never an angel and Lucifer is not His brother – both are blasphemous lies of the Devil. Also, Satan is not the Master of Hell – Jesus is and He has the keys (Revelation 1:18).