Revelation 2:8-11
¶ “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:
¶ 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.
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.
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.”
What the Lord is saying to the Church of Smyrna He is saying to each of us who call Him Lord.
Our Lord, Christ Jesus knows what we go through;
In His word the Bible we are told:
“” the LORD God, my God, is with you.
He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. “”
Hebrews 13:5
“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money,
being content with what you have;
for He (Christ Jesus the God of our salvation) Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”
It seems many who use the title Christian either never knew these words or have forgotten them,
“” I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you “”
The Lord our God is and will be with us even unto death.
Christ Jesus lets us know that some of us will be through in to prison, but just as Daniel was through in to the pit with the lions,
He will be with us, when we are being tested,
And He lets us know we will only have tribulation for ten days.
And then put to death,
but if we be faithful to Him through this time of tribulation that leads to the death, Of this body, (for remember man can only kill the body he cannot kill the soul.)
If you are faithful to Him even unto death He will give you the crown of life.
There are many in Africa right now finding this out.
Being decapitated for their faith in Christ Jesus,
but rather than fearing what man can do to their body,
they are praising God as they are being put to death,
Their crime, trusting in Christ Jesus and not forsaking Him.
If that trial, that Great affliction, that great distress, that form of suffering; Comes upon us will we be as faithful to our Lord Christ Jesus?
Or will we deny Him, thinking that will save us from death?
Matthew 16:24-27
¶ Then Jesus said to His disciples,
“If anyone wishes to come after Me,
he must deny himself,
and take up his cross and follow Me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it;
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.
“” For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it;
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. “”
Christ Jesus gave up His human body for you when He died on the cross,
when the time come will you be willing to do the same for Him, so you can gain your heavenly body and receive the crown of life?
Think about it, time is running out,
He is returning, and the day of tribulation could be upon us sooner them we think.
"" For whoever wishes to save his (or her) life will lose it;
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ""