Chan is an unsound teacher. He continually focuses on suffering. It's as if he wants to suffer (literally) and if he can't, he'll do it vicariously through those who do. The view that Teresa of Calcutta had--that suffering makes us closer to Jesus--is echoed in the quote below and it is not biblical. This is twisted thinking on suffering and calling people to suffer---all for an experience. While we are called to suffer for Christ, its only according to His will. We aren't to obsess over it nor are we to seek it. We aren't to idolize it either nor see it as Romanists do---as a means to get a spiritual experience, without which we won't *really* know Jesus intimately.
"They tell me, 'When I was surrounded by these soldiers, I felt the presence of Jesus in there with me. Now that we are back in Seoul, I am trying to experience that intimacy with Him but I can't. I fast and I pray and I don't feel it. I would rather be back there because of the intimacy I had with him.'"
Chan then suggested that the presence of Jesus that these Christian missionaries felt while they faced the threat of execution is probably similar to what certain martyrs in the Bible experienced before they were killed.
"Is there a special fellowship that we share in that suffering that we will miss out on because we just think comfort is everything and we just want to pull everyone into our comfort and into our civilian affairs rather than joining in their suffering and losing our life so that we can actually find something so much better?"
End quote.
It's interesting that Chan doesn't deal with biblical doctrine and the persecution that happens inside the churches because of the hostility against the Truth by most profess "Christians". That's where persecution begins and that's where God will judge first.
1Pe 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
1Pe 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Col 2:21 "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!"
Col 2:22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)--in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
Col 2:23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
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