The sufferings of Christ are for propitiation of the wrath of God, which nobody else and no other sufferings can perform,

and our sufferings are for propagation, which are the completion and the extension to others of the propitiating sufferings of Jesus Christ.

I find that distinction really helpful. The sufferings of Christ are for propitiation, to satisfy the wrath of God.

Ours are for propagation, to spread the message of that very mercy.

I'm your host, Dan Kroover. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper explains why the

mission of Christ advances not through comfort, but through costly, willing, suffering.

This message was originally delivered at Columbia International University on Tuesday, February

23, 1999.

It says in Revelation 6, is it verse 11, when the martyrs underneath the altar cry out,

how long, O Lord, how long until you vindicate us and show that our blood was not shed in vain?

Remember what the Lord said?

Be patient, clothe them. Be patient. Because the full number of the martyrs is not yet in. You know what's keeping back the Great Commission from fulfillment?

The full number of the martyrs not in yet.

Have you ever thought that there is a number of martyrs appointed by the Lord of Glory,

the sovereign God of Providence?

And the number isn't complete.

And some of you are in this room. It's a glorious calling

to fill up the number

so that the end can come.

It's going to happen that way.

There's no other meaning that can be given to that text.

The number of the martyrs is not yet full.

...