This narrative explains how Jesus prepares a believer for a New Testament ministry.
Jesus gives a believer a powerful revelation in the form of a vision or prophesy. The believer gets excited and ready for the future. But nothing happens!
Then suddenly Jesus leads the believer into a season of suffering and adversity. Life is nothing like the vision from Jesus.
The believer gets battered every day by the people in his life and the tribulations of the world. The deprivation is overwhelming with no way of escape.
God puts the believer into this nightmare to see if he can survive by unyielding faith in Jesus or give up hope and drift into an empty lackluster life.
Jesus needs to shape a believer into the life of a disciple so he (or she) can fulfill the purposes of the vision. Most Christ followers can understand the vision but unfortunately they lack the character of Jesus to be successful.
Jesus knows a human being better than he knows himself. The training may seem cruel and harsh at times but is designed to overcome the weaknesses or dispositions in his genetic makeup. The goal is to develop the spiritual attributes of a disciple and prepare him to launch a successful ministry.
The work of the Cross is designed to crucify a believers fleshly desires and ego and replace with the humility and unconditional love of Jesus.
When the time comes to begin the vision Jesus will place a powerful anointing on the disciple and equip him with the gifts of the Spirit.
Hal Hollister Ministry 