(2.)

Smyrna

Rev 2:8

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:

Rev 2:9

'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Rev 2:10

'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Rev 2:11

'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'

 

We may, can, and will have

1. Tribulations

2. Poverty

 

Realize:

1. Even though we my have no money or things (we can be rich)

2. God knows when we are spoken to and of wrongly by the blasphemy of those that are not of true faith but belong to satan ("Blasphemy" a display of gross irreverence towards any person or thing deemed worthy of exalted esteem.)

 

So:

1. Do not fear suffering (read Job) through suffering we are tested

2. Be faithful until death, and receive the crow of life from God