“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ (Revelation 2:8-11, ESV)
Do not fear what you are about to suffer, but be faithful unto death. Christ has called us, and knows us.
He knows those who are rich in wealth yet poor in their understanding of how much they lack in there wealth. And He knows of the slander of those who claim to follow Him but really do their own bidding.
You see the gathering in Smyrna is no longer there as are many other gatherings. We do not exist as a gathering of believers for our own good, but for the transmitting of the gospel. If we are not willing to go through the suffering we will face because of this, then we should re-evaluate our place in the missiona nd who we are really serving.
aSacredRebel 