TO THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA
TO THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA
"I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown." Revelation 2:9-10 NIV
This is a word of encouragement and motivation to the church in Smyrna. It is a message of 'I KNOW YOUR PAIN, I FEEL YOUR PAIN' from our Lord Jesus Christ. The church in Smyrna was poor and going through so much affliction. They were slandered by those that profess to be of God and are not, they were oppressed and opposed by those who claimed to be a part of the body of Christ but are not, they were constantly persecuted by the ungodly, pierced, bruised and many even killed by the wicked. But the Lord sent unto them to be stand faithful, to persist and continue in the faith.
What are you going through? Do you lack many of the things you desire in life? Are you poor and can't measure up with your colleagues? Are you afflicted with sickness or any unforseen circumstance? Don't be discouraged, don't give up, there is always a 'period of pain' so that 'the period of gain' can come. Don't lose hope, your testimony is around the corner. Jesus knows your pain, you have to stand till the end of your period of pain. It is him that endure to the end that is saved. Whenever the storm rages too high, it shows the hour of deliverance is around the corner. It shows your deliverer is here.
Are you rejected, slandered and persecuted by those that profess to be a part of the body of Christ but are not? Many times every of your effort to the propagation of the gospel is disregarded by men, sometimes you preach the word and men that claim to be believers condemn and slander the word you preach. Instead of working together to wage war against Satan, the arc-enemy, these people turn to war against believers working tirelessly for the Lord. Don't be discouraged, they did the same to Jesus and to the prophet that came before you.
"Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also..." John 15:20 NIV
There is no prosperity without opposition. When there is not persecution, it shows there is no relevance. Opposition shows you are touching nerves. It shows the devil is angry. Stay faithful, continue, persevere. Soon, those that slander and mock you will come back to celebrate you. They will come bowing there heads for you. Yes! it happened to Elisha.
Be faithful, the night is only for a moment, affliction is only for a moment, the glorious morning shall sure come. If you are not faithful in little, you cannot be faithful in much. Persevere, for the hour of redemption is here. Be faithful, even to the point of death. Death cannot separate you from Jesus, be faithful and you will be ushered home into the blossom of the Lord with rejoice even if death comes. Be faithful, persevere, endure the shame and the hardship, endure the persecution and opposition, because great is our reward in heaven.
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death." Revelation 2:11 NIV
............GOD BLESS YOU
"I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown." Revelation 2:9-10 NIV
This is a word of encouragement and motivation to the church in Smyrna. It is a message of 'I KNOW YOUR PAIN, I FEEL YOUR PAIN' from our Lord Jesus Christ. The church in Smyrna was poor and going through so much affliction. They were slandered by those that profess to be of God and are not, they were oppressed and opposed by those who claimed to be a part of the body of Christ but are not, they were constantly persecuted by the ungodly, pierced, bruised and many even killed by the wicked. But the Lord sent unto them to be stand faithful, to persist and continue in the faith.
What are you going through? Do you lack many of the things you desire in life? Are you poor and can't measure up with your colleagues? Are you afflicted with sickness or any unforseen circumstance? Don't be discouraged, don't give up, there is always a 'period of pain' so that 'the period of gain' can come. Don't lose hope, your testimony is around the corner. Jesus knows your pain, you have to stand till the end of your period of pain. It is him that endure to the end that is saved. Whenever the storm rages too high, it shows the hour of deliverance is around the corner. It shows your deliverer is here.
Are you rejected, slandered and persecuted by those that profess to be a part of the body of Christ but are not? Many times every of your effort to the propagation of the gospel is disregarded by men, sometimes you preach the word and men that claim to be believers condemn and slander the word you preach. Instead of working together to wage war against Satan, the arc-enemy, these people turn to war against believers working tirelessly for the Lord. Don't be discouraged, they did the same to Jesus and to the prophet that came before you.
"Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also..." John 15:20 NIV
There is no prosperity without opposition. When there is not persecution, it shows there is no relevance. Opposition shows you are touching nerves. It shows the devil is angry. Stay faithful, continue, persevere. Soon, those that slander and mock you will come back to celebrate you. They will come bowing there heads for you. Yes! it happened to Elisha.
Be faithful, the night is only for a moment, affliction is only for a moment, the glorious morning shall sure come. If you are not faithful in little, you cannot be faithful in much. Persevere, for the hour of redemption is here. Be faithful, even to the point of death. Death cannot separate you from Jesus, be faithful and you will be ushered home into the blossom of the Lord with rejoice even if death comes. Be faithful, persevere, endure the shame and the hardship, endure the persecution and opposition, because great is our reward in heaven.
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death." Revelation 2:11 NIV
............GOD BLESS YOU
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I'm blessed
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