God's Upside Down Leadership Training

i have been struck the past week, in Revelation about God's means of leadership training. Ive been listening to Bickle's teaching on the Millenial Kingdom. He pointed out that it is the Tribulation that God uses as the training ground for His Bride - to be prepared to rule and reign with Him. A great reversal will take place when He comes, after Jesus goes to war against the demonic powers and rebellious kings of the earth. These evil powers are killed and imprisoned; next the saints who were formerly imprisoned, tortured and martyred are exalted to sit on those very thrones. How ironic. How like God, how "upside down" to us.

Seems like God did this alot in history... King David, prepared by singing to sheep on lonely hills, or rejected and on the run for his life from Saul with a band of rejected men. Joseph the co-ruler of Egypt was trained by betrayal, being sold as a slave, falsely accused, prison, and temptation. Jesus Himself being the King of Kings, first came as a suffering servant - and He will come again as the Lord of Lords!

So, even if I may not be in the midst of the trib. yet.... every time Im faced with suffering, humiliation, great need for God's help, testing and trials - I can rejoice - Im being trained, to be counted worthy to participate in the Lord's leadership in the next age! (If I choose to respond in humility, meekness, and real love!)

(Seems like the Beautitudes are making much more sence now huh?)

""You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."

-From the Message Bible