"To the messenger of the church in Smyrna, write: 'The first and the last, who was dead and became alive, says this: 'I know your suffering, your poverty-though you are rich-and the slander on the part of those who claim to be Jews but aren't. They are the synagogue of Satan. Don't be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. For ten days you will undergo suffering. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the victor's crown of life. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be hurt by the second death.'"
(Rev 2:8-11 ISV)
DESCRIPTION:
She is poor in the natural but actually rich in the Spirit. She is wrongly accused and falsely judged by those who call themselves the people of God but are actually followers of Satan and members of the false church. Satan himself will throw her into prison to test her faith. She will suffer for ten days and then lose her physical life, but she will not perish eternally.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, but we see him crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. Through God's kindness he died on behalf of everyone.
(Heb 2:9 GW)
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra--which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
(2Ti 3:10-13 ESV)
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
(Joh 15:18-21 ESV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
(Joh 3:16 ESV)
Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she is faithful and does not fear death.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
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