For the joy set before Him, our Lord endured the cross. At the same time, Paul tells us that the sufferings of the current era are not worthy to be compared to the coming glory. There is a similar principle at play here, though to different degrees. We are now in the "cross" of Eon 3, that is, the worst of the eonian times. As we are writhing through this awful time period, God assures us that great glory lies ahead because of it.