In Jesus’ letter to Smyrna, He does not promise they would escape with their lives.
He does not promise to blind the eyes of those hunting them.
He does not promise their careers will be safe or their homes will be safe.
He never says their friends and family will be safe.
He says, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.”
Persecution has power.
It refines God’s people, it magnifies the name of Jesus, and it stands as a witness to those who see it as the purest expression of love for God. Jesus’ last lesson for Smyrna and for us is that to die in Christ is to die triumphantly. And there is no greater witness for Christ than remaining faithful till death.
From REV2023FL-06d – Did You Know The Church Almost Went Extinct (230420AM)
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