Faithful Unto Death

As I read Revelation 2:10 this morning, I was struck by the message. Jesus told the church at Smyrna that they should not fear the things they were about to suffer. Then, He told them that the devil was going to throw some of the believers into prison, so that they could be tested. That gives some people trouble, but it is true. The Lord gives Satan permission to cause us to suffer or to be put into prison or even to put us to death. He does it to test our faith. When we are faithful to Him, others see our faith, and the Lord gets the glory. Then, if we are faithful unto death, He gives us the crown of life.

We need to respond to suffering for Jesus the way the believers did in the book of Acts. They praised God that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. They knew that it was a privilege and a blessing to be persecuted for Jesus' sake. The Lord looked down and chose them to suffer, because He knew they were able to endure it. He will not put on us more than we are able to bear. (I Corinthians 10:13) Then, He gave them special power to overcome Satan, when they trusted Him. This brought them very close to the Lord. When we suffer for the Lord it brings us close to Him and to the other believers who suffer with us. Therefore, suffering for Jesus is a blessing, not a curse.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Revelation 3-6.