Paul, writing to the Corinthians, uses the figure of the games of his day, the setting of the Apostles last, as it were in the sports of the day, where those who were appointed for death were exhibited last, after the other sports were over, and just before they died.

This was the place that God had chosen for those who followed Him; truly a place of persecution and, in many cases, to seal their testimony with their blood. For, says the apostle, we are made a spectacle—something to look at, something set forth for the express purpose of being exhibited.

At such exhibitions, there were mainly two classes of people—those in the audience and those in the arena—who were exhibited. Paul is saying to the Corinthians that they seemed to be as kings. But the apostles were not in the place of those in the audience. Instead, they were given their place in the arena, and—not only that—were placed last even there. Last, because they were appointed for death. They were of those who were to die. Other entertainers had been there, but the ones who were set forth last were appointed unto death.

And the audience, the world and angels and men: first, the gaze, the mocking, the contradiction, the insults of those of this world assembled to watch the spectacle, those who treated the servants of God and ones of nought.

And those in glory, too, (Hebrews 12:1-2) watching with far different emotions, as those who had been through the same tests, watching encouragingly and with faith in Him who had brought them through, that these who were being tested would be brought through, too.

Three sides, the world looking on, the godly ones being made a spectacle, and heaven viewing with approval the steadiness and faith of those who were under the test. It has ever been thus. The prophets were men wondered at and were made a spectacle. And Jesus walked among men who watched him narrowly to entangle Him, if possible. And then, after His arrest, He was made a spectacle before Herod and Pilate—(Luke 23:11, Matthew 27:27-32) crowned with thorns, a reed in his hand, a scarlet robe upon Him—made a spectacle, appointed unto death and paraded before His enemies in the midst of their jeers and insults. And then, to be crucified in the sight of all, it was the most terrible spectacle that this world has ever seen, the Son of God being crucified by sinful men.

And with heaven looking on, men looking on with mockings, others caring little, [they were] appointed unto death, made a spectacle while two worlds looked on. Everyone is in one crowd or the other, either sitting with the scorners or in the arena being made at least in some measure a spectacle. The farther on we go with God, it seems the farther back He places us. And if it is His will, we may be appointed as the apostles seemed to be, unto death, being set forth last.

There will be another spectacle when He comes (Revelation 1:7), and every eye shall see Him and with far different emotions. That will be a glorious time for those who have obeyed. And the more they have obeyed, the more glorious it will be. But for us today, the choice will have to be made, we must make it, either to in some measure walk with those who are made a gazing stock (Hebrews 10:33), or to sit miserably with those who are enjoying the apparent discomfiture of those who are following Jesus.

It is a terrible thing to be in the wrong place, to be with the world realizing that we should be taking our places with the persecuted ones who are following Christ. Peter was in a miserable place warming himself by the enemy’s fire. Lot was vexed in Sodom. It would have been far, far better had they taken their places with God’s children of faith and endured the suffering.

Where are we? Surely the flesh hates to be made a spectacle of, even to be in the arena as one who is not set forth last is a real trial to the flesh. But surely the misery, the real misery is not in the arena, it is among the spectators of this world. There is suffering in the arena, but there is also glory. But, in the audience, there is no glory at all. And there is very real suffering that has no end, except they decide to take their places with the children of God and endure the shame and reproach for the sake of Him who died for them.

May we take grace from God these days as the lines the world over are being more sharply drawn, and the efforts of some who profess Christ to bring the world and the believers closer together on the devil’s terms are being defeated. Men are being required to stand out boldly in some lands, if they stand out at all.

And for this, let us thank God, if He seems to be putting us last. If the tongues of others are raised against us in judgment, then let us thank God and take courage, probably he is seeing that we have a little strength. Then, if He sees we truly desire it, He will increase our strength to endure, as seeing Him who is invisible, even as did our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.