1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

Again says truth: "For thy [Christ's] sake we are killed all theday long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter," [Rom.8:36.] and, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall sufferpersecution." 2 Tim. 3:12. All of these things require an efforton our part: self-denial, and suffering; for we bear "about in thebody the dying [suffering] of the Lord Jesus, that the life also ofJesus might be made manifest in our body: for we which live arealway delivered unto death [of the flesh] for Jesus' sake, that thelife also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh;" [2Cor. 4:10,11] and: "Though our outward man [natural] perish,yet the inward man [spiritual] is renewed day by day;" (verse16) for: "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with theaffections and lusts." Gal. 5:24. There is no doubt, that if wefollow in the footsteps of Jesus, [a life of obedience] we shallsuffer. This is clearly intimated by our Lord when He says: "Areye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to bebaptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?...And Hesaith unto them, ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and bebaptized with the baptism that I am baptized with." Matt.20:22,23. By referring to Matt. 26:39. We know the cup spokenof was in reference to His death, therefore we drink of the samecup; and are baptized with the same baptism, [death] for: "Knowye not that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ,were baptized into His death?" Rom. 6:3. By viewing this in theabove light, it is very significant that Jesus partook of thePassover; for as He ate it with "Bitter herbs," [suffering,] so alsodo we, and in this He was our example and forerunner. Let ustherefore, walk in the narrow [difficult] path of life; the oneJesus trod: "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in theflesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind; for he thathath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin," [1 Pet. 4:1]therefore; "Rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ'ssufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may beglad also with exceeding joy." verse 13.The next point in connection with the Passover to be consideredis: "And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, [loins girtabout with truth; Eph. 6:14,] your shoes on your feet, [your feetshod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; verse 15] andyour staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste; it is theLord's Passover;R212 : page 6for I will pass through the land of Egypt this night,...and theblood shall be to you for a token...and when I see the blood, Iwill pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you todestroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Exo. 12:11-13.This type being a figure of the whole Gospel Age; and the livingphase of the church, being always represented, we are broughtdown to the end of this dispensation, where the living saints areto be changed and caught away to meet Jesus, without the