“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 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.
I wish I could tell you that as soon as you decide to follow Jesus everything goes perfectly. It would be lovely it that was so. It's just not the reality of life as a Christian. We do have trials. We still don't see the end from the beginning. Painful things happen.
Yesterday, one of my best friends, who was the best man at my wedding, went to be with the Lord. He had been in a terrible accident several years ago that resulted in the loss of a lung and the use of one arm, not to mention nearly the loss of his own life. He was in constant pain. Before I got married we used to go to Rudy's Diner for breakfast on Saturday mornings. I remember many a conversation around why God would allow suffering. Eventually he healed enough where he could get around. He volunteered as a greeter in church. He learned to be faithful, even in the struggle. Now, he is part of that great cloud of witnesses.
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 2:8-11 NIV
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