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End Game, Part 2 - Stay Faithful - The Church of Smyrna

The Church at Smyrna…

Revelation 2:8- (NIV) “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. 9 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. 10 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. 11 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.”

The church at Smyrna is a breath of fresh air. In fact, even the name means “myrrh” or
“ointment.” It was a spice that produced a scent that is described in the Old Testament to have
even “attracted” the presence of God. Smyrna is the first of two churches that God says, do what they are doing. He tells them he knows what they are going through, and that they have stayed true. What an amazing testimony for churches today. You have been attacked, you have faced loss and lack, but you have remained faithful. You have not been afraid, even when you had every right to be.

I understand this temptation very well – the one to give up and quit. Over the past twenty-five years we have seen our share of dry seasons.  But through every one of those dry seasons God has been faithful, we have survived, and the season changed.  God brought about the season of harvest.  That is the great thing about Jesus. He always brings the next harvest, if you are faithful in the meantime.  Don’t be afraid of what others might say, or what people might do.  Keep your eyes and your faith on Jesus.  It reminds me of the quote from President F.D. Roosevelt, “Fear is always worse than the things of which you are afraid.” 

So, the encouragement to the church today is a simple statement from God, “Do not fear – Be faithful!”

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