WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO CHILDREN OF GOD?

  
At the Last Supper table were the Twelve. The Son of God was honest and straight-forward. He bared to them the baptism of fire that every new covenanter would have to go through.

³⁴ If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the Gospel will save it. MARK 8

Baptism of fire is the reason why bad things happen to the children of God. It is a refinement process, similar to the way precious metal is subjected to intense heat to melt away all its impurities.

The baptism is a series of LOVE-sacrifices, with the new covenanter needing to shed his old polluted self, donning a new self, striving hard to reach Christian maturity, and helping his neighbors to become new covenanters themselves. As he go through the process, difficulties, frustrations, hurts and sorrows will confront him. If he endures to the end, he will come out of it holy and pure.

⁷ I will refine [tsaw-raf, make pure, purge] them and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of My people. JEREMIAH 9

⁹ I will bring them into the fire. I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. ZECHARIAH 13

²⁵ I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. ISAIAH 1

It is common to hear nowadays of children of God complaining of the breaks of life going against them. They must be told that the demonic forces have become terribly sore at them for  several reasons. First, for enlisting as soldiers of God in the kingdom war. Second, for  the once reliable loyalists of the evil empire are now turning into traitorous renegades. Third, for the number of its enemies will increase and the number of its human agents will decrease. Fourth, for the demonic spirits will be ejected from the hearts of their human agents and that will mean loss of territory for the evil empire.

In his book Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren spoke of the children of God being given to “impossible problems, delayed promises, major changes, unanswered prayers, underserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies”. The demonic forces are the culprits. They are putting the children into the fire hoping they would get frustrated and angry with the testing, and quit on God. 

God is allowing it to determine who among the children will deny themselves. take up their crosses and endure to the end. 

¹⁶ If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 PETER 4

The Book of Job gives three insights on what the demonic forces can do.

First, the new covenanter would be isolated and stripped of covering and support (Job 1:11). He would be deprived of his talents, treasures and sources of income. People dear to him and supportive of him would be disabled and or separated from him through poverty, ailment, conflict, accident and death. In the case of the prophet Job, he lost his sons and daughters, his servants and great wealth, all in one day (Job 1:13-22).

Second, the flesh of the new covenanter would be afflicted. Job was afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head (Job 2:7).

Third, intrigues, conflicts, persecutions, anxiety, failures, frustrations, and disappointments would plague the new covenanter. To convince him that he is a loser, that what he is doing were an exercise in futility, and that it would better for him to kill himself or return to his old wicked ways than to endure.

There is a fourth insight which the Book of Job did not give. The new covenanter would be seeing demons—elemental spirits, mermaids, angels of death (“yamadutas”), demons of the air (“yandavas”), guardian spirits (“devas” and “devates”), demigods, and guardians of the flame (“abhodevendas,” cosmic teachers, ascended masters)—and would be attacked by them. (Occult Grand Master Now In Christ, Part 2: Seven Occult Kingdoms)

¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. EPHESIANS 6

In the beginning a demon or two would attack. The elemental spirits would disguise themselves in the form of insects, snakes, and strange-looking creatures—even in the form of persons, both dead and living, who are familiar to the new covenanter. Eventually the disguise would be dropped.

The attacks would come by sundown and end before sunrise. But later the attacks would come at any time of the day and appear endless.

The new covenanter would have to evade and parry the attacks for he could be killed, paralyzed or dismembered if hit. Should he win the battle, the number of his attackers would increase in the next battle. 

The attacks would intensify. If the lowly elemental spirits fail to overcome the new covenanter, Lucifer would send his “living grand masters” along with the rulers of the seven occult kingdoms—Seraphim Visel (earth kingdom), Lord Kaliya (water kingdom), Lord Naga (fire kingdom), Lord Sagna (astral kingdom), Lord Shohang (terrestrial kingdom), Sat Kumara (Azura) and Chitanam (Kalami)—to confront and gang him up. If still they fail to overcome him, Lucifer himself would attack.  

The new covenanter could be chained, taken prisoner and brought to an astral or terrestrial dungeon so dark and eerie, where the angels of God could not rescue him for they are forbidden to come near the place.

His family and neighbors might not be able to cope with his situation. They would likely presume that he has lost touch with reality. Medical doctors might diagnose him as schizophrenic, paranoid, psychotic, or simply mentally ill. His own churchmates might think he’s demon-possessed (not demonized which is the real case) and might not want to sit on the same pew with him. Instead of helping him, they might ostracize and ridicule him—even think of him as someone being punished by God.    

In the four insights above, the new covenanter would have to cling to his faith. Instead of being perplexed or panicky or losing hope, he should pray for help. Prayer is his only link to God. As soon as he prays, God will come to neutralize his enemies, free him if taken captive, restore his losses, and wake him up—alive and whole. The attack will all seem to be a “nightmare”.     

¹⁴ I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name. ¹⁵ When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. ¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation. PSALM 91 nlt

Baptism of fire is a series of battles progressively intensifying and terribly exhausting. We speak from experience. Our first battles made us sleepless for almost nine months. Lucifer himself was our opponent mostly. Today the attacks have waned but still come—even in the middle of a sea trip or a business conference, while crossing the street or while sleeping.

The truth is, the demonic forces will not give up until the new covenanter quits on God. Thus, he must always be on battle station. Good for him to stay on prayer mode 24/7 and resist the attacks with the help of God and other God-worshipers.

And so at the Last Supper, Y’shua essentially told the Twelve: “Those of you who have the heart desire to be a new covenanter must prepare for testing. Prepare for a treacherous, protracted war, one to last the rest of your lives. Baptism of fire will not be easy for you. But just as I carry My cross, so you must carry yours. You will stumble but do not stay down. Stand firm to the end and your original blessed state will be restored.”

What was said to the Twelve is also said to us.

³³ In this world you will have trouble. JOHN 16

⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers [in faith] throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 PETER 5

Do Not Be Afraid

Baptism of fire means eating the bread of adversity and drinking the water of affliction. It sounds dreadful but fear not. Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be thrown into the blazing furnace yet no harm came to them. The Son of God came to untie them and enabled them to “walk around in the fire unharmed” (Daniel 3:19-30).

¹⁰ Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. ISAIAH 41

¹⁵ Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s… ¹⁷ Go out and face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. 2 CHRONICLES 20

¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still. EXODUS 14 tev

¹⁰ Be still and know that I am God. PSALM 46

²⁹ The Lord Himself is your shield and your sword to defend you and give you victory. DEUTERONOMY 33 tev

² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. ³ For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Isra’el, your Savior. ISAIAH 43 

²⁰ Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. ²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ISAIAH 30

⁵ No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you. JOSHUA 1

²⁰ And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. MATTHEW 28

⁴ Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ISAIAH 46

St. Paul gave a testimony of how God protected him:

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 CORINTHIANS 4

You will take hits in the course of your baptism but not beyond your capacity to take.

¹³ God… will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you a way out. 1 CORINTHIANS 10 tev

You will face unpleasantries but how else should you be refined? 

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 CORINTHIANS 16  

⁹ If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. ISAIAH 7

¹³ But he who stands firm to the end will be saved. MATTHEW 24

The demonic forces can kill (Hebrews 2:14), they are murderers (John 8:44), but do not fear them. Y’shua has given them the authority to test you but not to kill you (Job 2:6). They cannot kill you unless you permit them or unless you entertain a negativity (eg. anger or fear). You will eventually exit this world, as we all must, but not to satisfy the purpose of the enemy. God will see to it that your death will satisfy His kingdom purpose.

¹² Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. PSALM 2

¹⁸ The One who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 1 JOHN 5 

St. Paul wrote of Lucifer’s unsuccessful attempts to kill him:     

²³ I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. ²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger at sea; in danger from false brothers. ²⁷ I have labored and toiled and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 2 CORINTHIANS 11

Fear not because whatever you lose in the course of your testing will be returned to you one hundred times (Matthew 19:29). Job received from God much more than what he lost in the beginning (Job 42:12).

Do not be afraid but rather embrace your baptism of fire with joy and gladness because the evil empire's opposition is your assurance that you are on the right track.

⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. 1 PETER 1 nlt

Embrace your baptism of fire with joy and gladness because God is fair and just. The suffering of the non-covenanters will be seven times worse.    

13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 1 CORINTHIANS 10

49 Everyone will be salted with fire. MARK 9

8 Here is what all creatures, both human and animal, must face (but it is seven times worse for sinners): 9 death, violence, conflict, murder, disaster, famine, sickness, epidemic. SIRACH 40

Take the Cup

¹⁴ When the hour came, Y’shua and His apostles reclined at the table… ¹⁷ After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. ¹⁸ For I tell you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹ He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁰ In the same way, after the supper, He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.” LUKE 22

²⁷ Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is My blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. MATTHEW 26

The Most Holy Body was about to be broken, the Most Holy Blood about to be spilled. The culmination of the Son of Man’s baptism of fire was about to come. Three times He prophesied it. Everyone at the table had an inkling of what He was talking about.

⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. ⁵⁰ But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. ⁵¹ I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world… ⁵³ I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴ Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁵⁵ For My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. ⁵⁶ Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. JOHN 6

God leads by example. He does not command anyone to do something that He Himself did not do. In giving the symbolic bread and wine for the apostles to eat and drink, He was virtually saying to the Church, “As your God, Master and Teacher, I will do it first. But do I have your commitment to follow in My footsteps?”

Earlier, He asked two of the apostles: “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38)

In effect God asked, “Will you be My coworkers?”

²³ And they all drank from it. MARK 14      

Yes! The Twelve partook of the bread and wine, hallelu-yah! It was a sacred affirmation of the Church’s commitment, and of the Twelve’s personal commitment, to become new covenanters and go through baptism of fire.

Trumpet Call. Now, whenever and wherever the Passover meal is commemorated (Catholics call it "holy communion"), our participation in it—eating the bread and drinking the wine—should be a sacred affirmation not only of our oneness with the Church but also of our personal commitment to go through our baptism of fire and to contribute our share of LOVE-sacrifices to the collective cause.  

Whenever and wherever the Passover Feast is celebrated, the baptism of fire of our ancestors in faith—especially that of Y’shua—should ring in our minds. For there would be no true spirituality for us to celebrate today if they shied away from it. Thank God for their LOVE and faithfulness. 

The Passover is about LOVE. The New Covenant is about LOVE. The Ten Commandments are about LOVE. Because of LOVE God bore the penalty meant for us. Now He is looking for new covenanters. People to work on your family… your friends… your schoolmates… your workmates… your churchmates… People to begin the work on their own selves.

God hopes you would be one of them. He is calling you to imitate His sacrifice, to offer your body and blood for LOVE.

¹⁵ And He said, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” LUKE 22

²⁹ I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom. MATTHEW 26

An annual rite was proclaimed to commemorate His death and the commitment of the Church to follow suit.

¹⁹ Do this in memory of Me. LUKE 22