In the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation, we find the Apostle John writing to the seven churches in Asia. The second message was to the church in Smyrna in a time of great persecutions.
God's Word says:
"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of those which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
This struggling and persecuted church is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament, but it was one of only two churches mentioned in the book of Revelation that did not receive any warning or condemnation.
Smyrna was poor, and troubled by those who hated God's message. They suffered tribulation, and some were even thrown into prison for their willingness to be identified with the truth. We want to pity this poor, struggling, persecuted church, but Jesus saw Smyrna as rich and worthy of a crown of life! He praised this little church, and encouraged them to remain "faithful unto death"!
As we walk with Jesus, we know not what lies ahead, but our tomorrows are all known to Him, and what a blessed privilege it is just to follow where He leads and pasture where He feeds!
I love the sweet verse in Psalm 39:14:
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death"!
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