The Church of Smyrna - Rich in Spirit and Faith Scripture: Rev l:8-11...'To the angel of the Assembly in Smyrna write: The First and the Last, who was dead and came to life, says these things: I know your works and tribulation and poverty, (but you are rich).

And, I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you will have tribulation for ten days. 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. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.' And, why would the Lord allow this to be? In His Word, He explains through John l5:l9...'I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.' Jesus's ways are not the world's ways. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to be having the very character of Christ seen through our lives everyday and not ones who only seek to harm, abuse, dwelling in pride, seeking our own interests. Jesus, however, calls us to love, to serve one another. And, we can be rest assured that this will offend the present world of darkness. In our country, we have been richly blessed.

Each of us, however, realize that each life has their own trials & tribulations but not on a scale as the Church of Smyrna had endured. The closest examples of severe Christian suffering, however, have been plentiful in countries like Pakistan, Uganda, China, North Korea. We see countless believers sufferings through the news and magazines like, 'The Voice of Martyr's'. Jesus said in His Word that before He returned that certain trials would happen to all believers prior to the End of the Age. The scripture says that they would include tribulation, death, and being hated by all Nations for His Name sake. We would do well to listen to what the Spirit says to the Church of Smyrna because persecution came to the people there. And there is a message for us here today. And, in Rev. 2:8, Jesus identifies with these believers because He also had suffered, even to the point of dying on the cross. Rev 2:9 says that He was aware of their tribulation and their sufferings. And, you never hear Jesus criticize them for lacking faith. From personal experience, there is no question in my mind that these believers would be severely criticized for their lack of faith in today's culture. Right down to the nitty gritty, do we really have good theology when it comes to others sufferings and persecution in our midst or do we feel trouble just comes as a form of retribution or sin?

According to the words in Psalm, Chapter 2, the Nations are going to be in an uproar against the Lord. In these End Times, these Nations are going to rise up against the Lord and His People, as we have seen both Jews and Christians. The present world of darkness hates the restraining of the Holy Spirit. They want open ground to commit every imagined sin and act and want nothing to stop them. I believe the Spirit is still speaking to the Church today reminding us to 'be prepared' for coming persecution. It isn't a matter if persecution will come, it is only a matter of when it will come. Nevertheless, we who have given our whole hearts to the Lord in repentance and total dedication have found peace in the midst of turmoil. Revelation 2:9 says, 'After observing their outward tribulation and poverty, He says...but you are rich.' For these believers, richness had nothing to do with what they owned. Richness had to do with their 'spiritual character'. I feel that there is a lesson here. I feel that when times are easy that we become lax in our faith with God.

We end up just blending into the darkened world around us in ways to the expense of our relationship with Christ and to the detriment of our very souls. Only when we are persecuted and face hardships, we can be molded through the fires of life and come to realize that the more lasting way is by the Spirit and not the flesh. Trusting outside forces and ways will only weaken our character. It's only under pressure that the very Being of Christ can be manifested, the very character of Christ within us, be revealed. We all need to be sifted like wheat as it is written in Luke, Chap. 22:31-32. Jesus has given Satan permission to sift Peter like wheat. Why do you think He would have done such a thing? It was because God knew that through this sifting that Peter would become more established in his faith. In closing, those whose works are approved because they reflected the very 'Character of Christ' in this dark, dark world will hear these precious words...'Well Done, Good & Faithful Servant'...Mark 25:24. AMEN. 

Seek and you will find...Knock and the door will be opened unto you! God isn't a job. God is a joy!

May the Lord bless you as you step up and seek more of Him today!