Understanding Saints Persevere

... then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.... - 2 Peter 2:9

With this verse, Peter began to close his argument for God's righteous judgment.

For Peter's original audience, persecution was not a possibility, it was a reality. Where I have lived and served, where much of the budding disciple-making movement is occurring in these days, where the church is a distinct minority, believers will most likely endure true persecution as they follow Jesus.

So, in the midst of such tribulation, how do the "sants" persevere?

In God's treatment of disobedient angels, mankind in the days of Noah, and the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (three historical reference points), we can understand how the experience of persecution might produce doubt in the minds of the faithful concerning God's temporal care (as it did those who were reading Peter's letter). Yet, in these same events, we can also learn that God will ultimately and eternally save all those who belong to Him. Those who have died in Christ, will indeed rise again!

Understanding saints persevere indeed.

If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not from the world. - David Brainerd