De tekenen van een apostel zijn bij u verricht met alle volharding, door tekenen, wonderen en krachten. (2 Korinthiërs 12:12)

Paul says the first evidence of an apostolic ministry is not miracles but perseverance. The true apostle is the one who hangs on when everybody else gives up. Paul’s support group was dwindling when he wrote his second epistle to Timothy. This was the last epistle Paul wrote, probably just shortly before his execution by a Roman executioner.

Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.” (2 Timothy 4:9–11)

Right at the end his coworkers left him in prison. What did they lack? Endurance. What marked the apostle? Endurance. That comes before the miracles. Some people have miracles but no endurance.

Not “If” but “When”

What are the kinds of tests that we will have to go through? In Matthew 13 Jesus tells the well-known parable of the sower who went forth with the seed. He speaks about the different kinds of soil, each representative of a different kind of person who hears the Word of God. Some of the seed fell by the wayside and never entered into the ground—it was caught up by the birds. Some fell on rocky ground. Some fell amongst thorns. Then He goes on to describe the type of person represented by each kind of soil. There is nothing profound in this; it is very simple:

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (Matthew 13:19–21)

Notice one little word there: when. Jesus didn’t say if persecution or tribulation arises—He said when tribulation or persecution arises. They will arise.

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (Matthew 13:22)

Very simply stated, there are two kinds of tests: when it is too hard, and when it is too easy—the first is persecution; the second is riches. Some people can’t stand the persecution. Some people can’t stand the prosperity. We need to be able to stand both tests.

Some people can make it when they are persecuted, but when God blesses them—the beautiful home, two cars, maybe a boat—they get much more wrapped up in the things of this world than in the kingdom of God.

There are others who receive the Word with joy. They’re tremendous. They pop up the first night after they get saved, give their testimony, then they get baptized in the Holy Spirit, speak in tongues and prophesy. As the saying goes, they’re like a house on fire. But three months later, you just don’t know where they are. Because the moment opposition and trouble came, they just wilted away. They had no root. I am almost scared when a new Christian starts too quickly. I would rather see somebody have a little struggle at the beginning.

When I worked as a pastor in London, to get one person baptized in the Holy Spirit was a victory. And I observed that for every ten persons who were baptized in the Spirit, one would stand and the rest would fall away. The opposition was so intense in those days. The people who had to struggle and fight were the ones you could rely on. The ones who had to struggle every inch of the way stood the test and stand today. So bear in mind, you are going to be tested by tribulation, and you are going to be tested by success. You have to hold out through both.

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