Introduction : When we visit Disneyland, we may experience fear if we ride on a rollercoaster. The rollercoaster goes up and down into a dark cave. I rode on a rollercoaster in Florida and in Tokyo, Japan.


1. The apostle Paul´s trip to Rome
    - Paul was caught and whipped by Jews in Jerusalem, and he was saved by a
       commander. But he was judged and lived in prison for two years in Caesarea. Finally,
       Paul went to Rome to be judged in the court of Caesar.
    1) Paul left for Rome and had the conviction that this was the will of God (Acts 23:11)
        - We still face trials and heavy seas even when we act according to God´s will
    2) He faced a northeaster hurricane on the way to Crete from Fair Havens
        - The despair and pain of sailors and passengers who faced heavy seas without
           knowing the future (Acts 27:22)
    3) The bold encouragement of Paul - an angel of God who came to see Paul
        (Acts 27:24-25)
    4) Not injured with the bite of a poisonous snake
        - Nothing could kill him before the mission of God was over (2Ti 4:17-18)

2. Joseph´s trip to Egypt
    - Joseph´s future was illustrated twice through a dream of revelation (Ge 37:7, 9)
    1) Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers, but he still had a dream of hope
        - The way of God is the way of great and unsearchable things you do not know
           (Isa 55:9; Jer 29:11)
    2) Slavery of Egypt - slavery was very painful, but he had a clear dream in his heart
        (1Co 2:9)
    3) It was an unjust accusation, but it could not erase his dream
        - Pessimistic despair and a bright dream (2Co 4:8-9)
    4) He lived with a clear dream during his two years in prison
        - Eventually, his dream came true as the prime minister of Egypt

3. To go through tribulation, with the dream of knowing the future
    1) When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death and feel hopeless
        (Ps 23:4)
        (1) We should realize that the Lord is with us - little boy David, lion, bear, and Goliath
        (2) A rod of the Lord - leading the way
             A staff of the Lord - we must know a horn of salvation is with us
            (Jos 1:9; Heb 13:5)
        (3) We must know that we will fear no evil and we must have comfort in our heart
            (Ps 40:2; Isa 41:10)
    2) We must know that all tribulation has a purpose
        - To humble and to test you - so that in the end it might go well with you (Dt 8:15-16)
    3) We must know and believe that God works for the good in all things
        (1) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Mic 7:8; Pr 24:16)
        (2) God intended evil for good - Apostles´ Creed of Joseph for a good God
            (Ge 50:20; Ps 30:11)


Conclusion : Known tribulation has hope and a dream. Unknown tribulation only has despair and pain.