In this article we will explore what Scripture has to teach on the subject of Endurance.
The twelve runners are lined up with their feet set in the starting blocks. Each runner having prepared for this race both physically and mentally. It is the race of a lifetime; few were chosen to take part.
The runners have been specifically picked from out of the countries of the world to take part in this race. It is an honor beyond compare to be one of those chosen to participate in this event. This race is unusual in that the number of laps the runners must complete is unknown.
Every runner that finishes the race has been promised wonderful prizes and will be regarded with high esteem by all.
With eager anticipation the runners await the sound of the starting gun.
The runners are off like a shot at the blast from the starting gun. All of the runners except one appear to be off to an excellent start. With wondrous speed eleven of the runners circle the track, hoping to make a good showing and fervently hoping to win this prestigious race. The last runner appears to be less determined than the other runners and slowly falls further and further behind as the race continues.
All who are watching the event wonder how long these determined runners can keep up their amazing pace. Tell tale signs begin to show on the faces and in the bodies of the runners as they pass the starting line on their twenty-first lap. The last placed runner keeps a fast but not blindingly fast pace; they have already been lapped twice in the first twenty-one laps of the race. Seemingly unmindful of the fact that they are in last place, the runner continues on undaunted.
By the twenty-third lap the eleven runners are tiring, the wondrously fast pace they have kept up for what seems an eternity is showing in their strides and their breathing. Their blinding pace has slowed considerably and the last place runner begins to gain ground on the others.
On the twenty-fifth lap four runners drop out of the race totally exhausted. The last place runner continues to gain on the other runners, passing them and regaining a lap, running at the same consistently fast pace, seemingly indefatigable.
On the twenty-sixth lap five more runners succumb to the strain, unable to continue, tired beyond words.
The last place runner has already caught up to the last two exhausted runners as they pass the starting line on the twenty-seventh lap. He passes them, his eyes glistening with tears because he knows that his fellow racers do not have the strength to finish the race. Continuing on he looks back to see the last two racers fall to the ground, chests heaving completely and utterly exhausted.
As the last runner completes the thirtieth lap the official ends the race. Swarms of people run out to congratulate the runner for finishing the race. Hugs and well wishes abound, it is a victory for this one person and for all who have run the race and finished before them.
The runner receives tremendous praise for the stamina they have demonstrated, a great reward is bestowed upon them by the events judge.
A basic definition for endurance is:
The act, quality, or power of withstanding hardship or stress.
Does this literal interpretation agree with the biblical interpretation of Endurance?
James 5:10-11
10My brothers, as an example of suffering and patience, take the prophets, who spoke in the Name of YHWH. 11See, we call those blessed who endure. You have heard of the endurance of Iyob and saw the purpose of YHWH, that He is very sympathetic and compassionate.
This scripture shows us the biblical examples of endurance, the prophets who proclaimed the word and message of the Eternal to His people. They often bore the insults and were persecuted for the messages they had to proclaim. Most times these prophets were warning the people to turn from their hardhearted and selfish ways; they were not popular for spreading this message and endured much persecution. The patience or endurance of Job is a popular biblical story known by many people. His endurance of many physical and emotional trials without losing his reverance for the Almighty is an excellent example for all who respect, fear, and love great Abba YHWH.
Hebrews 12:1-8
We too, then, having so great a cloud of witnesses all around us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, 2looking to the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, Yah’shua, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the stake, having despised the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim. 3For consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and faint in your lives. 4You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5And you have forgotten the appeal which speaks to you as to sons, “My son, do not despise the discipline of YHWH, nor faint when you are reproved by Him, 6for whom YHWH loves, He disciplines, and flogs every son whom He receives.” 7If you endure discipline, Elohim is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? 8But if you are without discipline, of which all have become sharers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
In these verses we see the endurance of Messiah Yah’shua who was afflicted physically and mentally. He knew that the torment and persecution that He was enduring was but for a short time and that he had a wonderful future in store with our great Father. This scripture shows us that we are to endure discipline when we are being shown he error of our ways. It also tells us that all true followers are disciplined as children.
2Corinthians 6:3-8
3giving no cause of stumbling in whatever, so that the service is not blamed. 4Rather, we commend ourselves as servants of Elohim in every way: in much endurance, in pressures, in hardships, in distresses, 5in stripes, in imprisonments, in disturbances, in toils, in watchings, in fastings, 6in cleanness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Set-apart Spirit, in love unfeigned, 7in the word of truth, in the power of Elohim, through the weapons of righteousness, on the right and on the left, 8through esteem and disrespect, through evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers, and yet true;
Here we are shown that we are to stand strong using righteousness and the Word, enduring persecution with love.
Endurance and belief
1Timothy 6:3-12 (belief)
3If anyone teaches differently and does not agree to the sound words, those of our Master Yah’shua Messiah, and to the teaching which is according to reverence, 4he is puffed up, understanding none at all, but is sick about questionings and verbal battles from which come envy, strife, slander, wicked suspicions, 5worthless disputes of men of corrupt minds and deprived of the truth, who think that reverence is a means of gain – withdraw from such. 6But reverence with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought naught into the world, and it is impossible to take any out. 8When we have food and covering, we shall be satisfied with these. 9But those wishing to be rich fall into trial and a snare, and into many foolish and injurious lusts which plunge men in ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some, by longing for it, have strayed from the belief, and pierced themselves through with many pains. 11But you, O man of Elohim, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, reverence, belief, love, endurance, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of the belief, lay hold on everlasting life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
We are to stay close to the teachings of Yah’shua and not add to them, for this is straying from the truth. We are forewarned not to become trapped by the love of money and its wicked influence because this can cause us to leave the belief we have of Messiah Yah’shua. We are to keep a firm grasp on our belief through endurance.
James 1:1-4
Ya'aqob, a servant of Elohim and of the Master Yah’shua Messiah, to the twelve tribes who are in the dispersion: Greetings. 2My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the proving of your belief works endurance. 4And let endurance have a perfect work, so that you be perfect and complete, lacking in naught.
Our belief is tested throughout our life after we are brought to the knowledge of the truth. Through endurance of these trials we prove our faith and belief, which allows us to stand stronger in them.
2Thessalonians 3:1-5
For the rest, brothers, pray for us, so that the Word of YHWH spreads rapidly and be praised, as also with you, 2and that we might be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, for not all have belief. 3But the Master is trustworthy, who shall establish you and guard you from the wicked one. 4And we trust in the Master as to you, both that you do and shall do what we command you. 5And the Master direct your hearts into the love of Elohim and into the endurance for Messiah.
We are to endure persecution and the disbelief of others. Through our faith (belief) in Yah’shua Messiah we gain protection from our Father that allows us to stand fast against the enemy.
2Timothy 3:1-17
But know this, that in the last days hard times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, thankless, wrongdoers, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, haters of good, 4betrayers, reckless, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Elohim, 5having a form of reverence but denying its power. And turn away from these! 6For among them are those who creep into households and captivate silly women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8And as Yohane and Mamre opposed Mosheh, so do these also oppose the truth – men of corrupt minds, found worthless concerning the belief; 9but they shall not go on further, for their folly shall be obvious to all, as also that of those men became. 10But you did closely follow my teaching, the way of life, the purpose, the belief, the patience, the love, the endurance, 11the persecutions, the sufferings, which came to me at Antioch, at Ikonion, and at Lustra – what persecutions I bore. Yet out of them all the Master delivered me. 12And indeed, all those wishing to live reverently in Messiah Yah’shua, shall be persecuted. 13But evil men and impostors shall go on to the worse, leading astray and being led astray. 14But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from whom you have learned, 15and that from a babe you have known the Set-apart Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for deliverance through belief in Messiah Yah’shua. 16All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.
By our faith (belief), patience, love, and endurance we are to bear the persecutions. We are also made to remember the importance of Scripture and how we are to learn from its teachings.
Hebrews 10:19-39
19So, brothers, having boldness to enter into the Set-apart Place by the blood of Yah’shua, 20by a new and living way which He instituted for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21and having a High Priest over the House of Elohim, 22let us draw near with a true heart in completeness of belief, having our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies washed with clean water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our expectation without yielding, for He who promised is trustworthy. 24And let us be concerned for one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as you see the Day coming near. 26For if we sin purposely after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a slaughter offering for sins, 27but some fearsome anticipation of judgment, and a fierce fire which is about to consume the opponents. 28Anyone who has disregarded the Torah of Mosheh dies without compassion on the witness of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment do you think shall he deserve who has trampled the Son of Elohim underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was set apart as common, and insulted the Spirit of favour? 30For we know Him who has said, “Vengeance is Mine, I shall repay, says YHWH.” And again, “YHWH shall judge His people.” 31It is fearsome to fall into the hands of the living Elohim. 32But remember the former days, when, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings. 33On the one hand you were exposed to reproaches and pressures, and on the other hand you became sharers with those who were so treated, 34for you sympathised with me in my chains, and you accepted with joy the seizure of your possessions, knowing that you have a better and a lasting possession for yourselves in the heavens. 35Do not, then, lose your boldness, which has great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the desire of Elohim, you receive the promise: 37“For yet a little while – He who is coming shall come and shall not delay.” 38“But the righteous shall live by belief, but if anyone draws back, my being has no pleasure in him.” 39But we are not of those who draw back to destruction, but of belief to the preservation of life.
We are warned to endure and not return to the ways of the world. We should await the coming of Yah’shua Messiah, enduring any reproaches, pressures, and sufferings. If we return to the world of sin we will suffer the consequences. We are to live our lives with a strong belief in Yah’shua Messiah as a major part of our stability.
Expectation and endurance
1Thessalonians1:2-6
2We give thanks to Elohim always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3remembering without ceasing your work of the belief, and the labour of love, and the endurance of the expectation in our Master Yah’shua Messiah in the presence of our Elohim and Father, 4knowing, brothers beloved by Elohim, that you were chosen. 5Because our Good News did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Set-apart Spirit and in entire confirmation, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Master, having received the word in much pressure, with joy of the Set-apart Spirit,
In earnest expectation we await the return of Yah’shua Messiah. The spirit is with us to help us endure with joy and longing.
Collosians 1:3-13
3We give thanks to the Elohim and Father of our Master Yah’shua Messiah, praying always for you, 4having heard of your belief in Messiah Yah’shua and of your love for all the set-apart ones, 5because of the expectation that is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News, 6which has come to you, as also in all the world it is bearing fruit and growing, as also among you, since the day you heard and knew the favour of Elohim in truth, 7as you also learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a true servant of Messiah on your behalf, 8who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. 9That is also why we, from the day we heard, have not ceased praying for you, and asking that you be filled with the knowledge of His desire in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 10to walk worthily of the Master, pleasing all, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim, 11being empowered with all power, according to the might of His esteem, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12giving thanks to the Father who has made us fit to share in the inheritance of the set-apart ones in the light, 13who has delivered us from the authority of darkness and transferred us into the reign of the Son of His love,
We are to look to the wonderful future that the Father has in store for those who keep His commands and live their lives in love and honesty.
Romans 8:22-25
22For we know that all creation groans together, and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only so, but even we ourselves who have the first-fruits of the spirit, we ourselves also groan within our selves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24For in this expectation we were saved, but expectation that is seen is not expectation, for when anyone sees, does he expect it? 25And if we expect what we do not see, we eagerly await for it with endurance.
With expectation we await the coming Kingdom. Seeing it in our minds afar off by our belief in Yah’shua Messiah and the promises made by our wonderful Creator.
Romans 15:3-5
3For even the Messiah did not please Himself, but as it has been written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell upon me.” 4For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have expectation. 5And the Elohim of endurance and encouragement give you to be of the same mind toward one another, according to Messiah Yah’shua,
We are to use Scripture to help us endure, reading and praying daily so that we are of one mind.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been declared right by belief, we have peace with Elohim through our Master Yah’shua Messiah, 2through whom also we have access by belief into this favour in which we stand, and we exhult in the expectation of the esteem of Elohim. 3And not only this, but we who exult in pressures, knowing that pressure works endurance; 4and endurance approvedness, and approvedness, expectation. 5And expectation does not disappoint, because the love of Elohim has been poured out in our hearts by the Set-apart Spirit which was given to us.
Enduring pressure and persecution shows us as being approved to our great Creator. The more we endure, the stronger our faith. We are not to look to pressures as bad, but as a way to prove our worthiness of His Love.
Enduring to the end
Luke 21:16-20
16“And you shall also be betrayed by parents and brothers and relatives and friends. And some of you shall be put to death. 17“And you shall be hated by all because of My Name. 18“But not a hair of your head shall be lost at all. 19“Possess your lives by your endurance! 20“And when you see Yerushalayim surrounded by armies, then know that its laying waste is near.
Look, the time is coming soon. Those who endure will be saved. Those who do not fall prey to the way of the world (the fleshly existence), will be saved by their faith and actions and attain a place in the coming Kingdom. Those who fail…….?
2Thessalonians 1:3-9
3We ought to give thanks to Elohim always for you, brothers, as it is proper, because your belief grows exceedingly, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing, 4so that we ourselves boast of you among the assemblies of Elohim for your endurance and belief in all your persecutions and afflictions which you are bearing, 5clear evidence of the righteous judgment of Elohim, in order for you to be counted worthy of the reign of Elohim, for which you also suffer, 6since Elohim shall rightly repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to give you who are afflicted rest with us when the Master Yah’shua is revealed from heaven with His mighty messengers, 8in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know Elohim, and on those who do not obey the Good News of our Master Yah’shua Messiah, 9who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Master and from the esteem of His strength,
Once again belief, love, and endurance will save the true flock from the wrath of the Almighty. Those who afflict the righteous will suffer the consequences of their actions.
Revelation 2:2-3 (Ephesos)
2“I know your works, and your labour, and your endurance, and that you are not able to bear evil ones, and have tried those who say they are emissaries and are not, and have found them false; 3and you have been bearing up and have endurance, and have laboured for My Name’s sake and have not become weary.
The assembly of Ephesos has beared up under the persecution of the adversary’s minions and come out victorious. May we be of this assembly, bearing up and remaining steadfast in our belief and witness.
Revelation 2:19-23 (Thyatira)
19“I know your works, and love, and service, and belief, and your endurance. And as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20“But I hold against you that you allow that woman Izebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and lead My servants astray to commit whoring and to eat food offered to idols. 21“And I gave her time to repent of her whoring, and she did not repent. 22“See, I am throwing her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of their works. 23“And I shall slay her children with death. And all the assemblies shall know that I am the One searching the kidneys and hearts. And I shall give to each one of you according to your works.
The assembly of Thyatira holds fast at the time of the end, enduring persecution and sufferings. This assembly will be judged by their works. May the least of us be of this assembly.
Revelation 3:8-12 (Philadelphia)
8“I know your works – see, I have set before you an open door, and no one is able to shut it – that you have little power, yet have guarded My Word, and have not denied My Name. 9“See, I am giving up those of the congregation of Satan, who say they are Yehudim and are not, but lie. See, I am making them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10“Because you have guarded My Word of endurance, I also shall guard you from the hour of trial which shall come upon all the world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11“See, I am coming speedily! Hold what you have that no one take your crown. 12“He who overcomes, I shall make him a supporting post in the Dwelling Place of My Elohim,
Once again we see those who keep the word (Scripture & teachings) will have a place of honor in the coming Kingdom. Those of the assembly of Philadelphia will be well rewarded for their endurance of trials.
Revelation 14:12-13
12Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones, here are those guarding the commands of Elohim and the belief of Yah’shua. 13And I heard a voice out of the heaven saying to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Master from now on.’ ” “Yea,” says the Spirit, “in order that they rest from their labours, and their works follow with them.”
The Eternal does not want men to fail once they begin the long journey to Him. Too often mankind falls prey to the wiles of the adversary. Vanity and pride many times leads astray those who began their journey in earnest, with every expectation of pleasing our Father. We are not instructed to be better than others, but to be humble and meek, least among men. Many brothers and sisters have fallen from the path, succumbing to the doubts, fears, false doctrines, and other traps that length of time exposes us to. Unfortunately we will not receive what we desire from our Creator if we make it only half way to the goal, or even three-quarters of the way. We could possibly see the door and stumble before we get there. It will be accounted as failure. For these reasons we are warned to be on our guard and to endure the temptations of this world.
In Summary
When we endure suffering and persecution we are made stronger, our belief (faith) becomes more firmly rooted. Living our lives by the commands of the Eternal is not easy. May we not be easily removed from our belief and love.
Shalom & Agape in YHWH’s precious name
2Peter 1:2-8
2Favour and peace be increased to you in the knowledge of Elohim and of Yah’shua our Master, 3as His Mighty-like power has given to us all we need for life and reverence, through the knowledge of Him who called us to esteem and uprightness. 4Through these there have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that through these you might be partakers of the Mighty-like nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world, caused by lust. 5And for this reason do your utmost to add to your belief uprightness, to uprightness knowledge, 6to knowledge self-control, to self-control endurance, to endurance reverence, 7to reverence brotherly affection, and to brotherly affection love. 8For if these are in you and increase, they cause you to be neither inactive nor without fruit in the knowledge of our Master Yah’shua Messiah.
Titus 2:1-2
But you, speak what is fitting for sound teaching: 2the older men are to be sober, serious, sensible, sound in belief, in love, in endurance, 3the older women likewise are to be set-apart in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of what is good,
Romans 2:6-8
6Who “shall render to each one according to his works”: 7everlasting life to those who by persistence in good work seek for esteem, and respect, and incoruptibility; 8but wrath and displeasure to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness;
