DAILY TEXT, Today Tuesday May 17, 2022, All those who wish to live with devotion to God in union with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12).

DAILY TEXT, Today Tuesday May 17, 2022

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

All who wish to live with devotion to God in union with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12).

Satan is “full of fury,” and it would be naive of us to think that we will somehow be spared his attacks (Rev. 12:12). In the near future, the faith of all Christians will be tested. Soon "there will be a great tribulation." The Bible says that “from the beginning of the world until now, there has not been a tribulation like it” (Matt. 24:21). During that time, our relatives may turn against us and our work may be prohibited (Matt. 10:35, 36). Let us ask ourselves: “Will I be like King Asa and trust Jehovah to help me and protect me?” (2 Chron. 14:11). Jehovah wants us to be prepared for what is to come, and so he has been strengthening our faith. He is using the “faithful and wise slave” to give us “meat at the proper time” that he will help us stand firm (Matt. 24:45). But what is up to us is to strengthen our faith in Jehovah to the maximum (Heb. 10:38, 39). w20.09 18 paras. 16-18

How did first-century Christians take advantage of a period of peace?

Although first-century Christians suffered persecution on many occasions, they also had some periods of peace. How did they take advantage of them? Those faithful men and women threw themselves into preaching the good news. The Acts account says that the Christian congregation “walked in the fear of Jehovah” and, because they did not stop preaching, “kept on growing.” It is clear that Jehovah blessed the enthusiasm with which they preached in times of peace.​—Acts 9:26-31.

Explain how Paul and other Christians took advantage of the opportunities that were presented to them.

The first-century disciples seized every opportunity to announce the good news. For example, the apostle Paul decided to stay in Ephesus when he saw “a great door” open for him to preach and make disciples in that city (1 Cor. 16:8, 9).

Paul and other Christians saw another opportunity to preach in AD 49, when the circumcision issue was settled (Acts 15:23-29). When the decision was communicated to the congregations, the disciples did their best to preach “the good news of the word of the Lord” (Acts 15:30-35). Which it was the result? The Bible says that “the congregations continued to become firm in the faith and to grow day after day” (Acts 16:4, 5).

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.