Patience and Possession
“In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21.19
In this Lukan passage our Lord is encouraging His followers concerning future trials and testings. Explaining that there would be a continued history of wars and rumors of wars coupled with earth shaking geological disturbances, He says to be patient. Along with all of the worldwide catastrophes, there would be betrayal by friends and family –deception by those we love and trust.
The future for the believer would be one of being misunderstood, hated and betrayed. Looking forward, the believer cannot expect to live a life of luxury and he certainly can’t expect the world to understand his stance for the truth nor his position in Christ.
We not only can expect to be misunderstood by the world, but also, we can expect to see divisions within the family unit and longtime friends forsaking us. (Mark 13.12)
On earth, the future that Jesus was predicting will be precarious at best– torturous at worst. In the midst of all of this, our Lord gives the admonition to “possess ye your souls.”The word “possess” translates the Greek word “ktaomai” meaning “to gain by any means, to own.” It is an aorist, middle deponent, imperative indicating a command that we must follow without modification or deviation. The word“souls” (psuchē) speaks of the inner person – the real “who you are” –as the eternal part of man which God created with His own breath. (Genesis2.7)
Our Lord admonishes us: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16.26)
It is far too easy for the believer to become sidetracked with all of the distractions in the world. There are too many who have been drawn astray from the pure Gospel of Jesus Chris and into a life of fear or philosophical error because of the winds of change and uncertainty of the times.
Jesus says, “possess ye your souls!” We are to, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on {possess,seize} eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6.12)
As the time draws near when the Kingdom of God shall be fully established upon the earth, and the King shall return in glory, the days will be characterized by increasing apostasy,disturbances in the earth and in the heavens, and intense hatred of those who proclaim the Gospel. The age will culminate in a period of terrible fear upon man, and then shall Christ appear.
Be not troubled. God is still on the throne and in control. Trials and tribulations will come and go; but, God remains faithful and true.
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed;because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5.3-5)
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James1.4)
Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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