-PART 2 OF 7-
 “THE PERSECUTED CHURCH”

“And unto the angel of the church of 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 them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of satan.  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall he not be hurt of the second death.”   (Rev 2:8-11)

The second letter was written to the believers at Smyrna.  Smyrna was located approximately 35 miles north of Ephesus (the subject of the first letter) and it was obvious that life for the believer there in Smyrna was indeed very difficult.  Yet, despite the struggles they persevered and were one of the two out of seven “bodies of believers” that received no criticism from the Lord.  Only exhortation and encouragement! 

The Lord begins this letter by first acknowledging their “works”, “tribulation” and “outward poverty” although indeed inwardly, they were quite rich.  They served the Lord through great hardship, and sought not the wealth and riches of this world, but the wealth and riches that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  They hungered for the Lord, chased after righteousness, desired the things of God and were such who were not just “hearers” of the word, but “doers”, who were dedicated to The Lord not just in speech, but in deed.  Because of their faith, these believers suffered MUCH tribulation, many trials, much anguish, and much heartache; hence they are labeled as “The Persecuted Church”. 

No doubt, this is not a “church” most believers TODAY would eagerly desire to partake of, for it were so, we would not have so many departing from the faith the very moment tribulation arises, seeking for the nearest exit to a more comforting zone where everything works out perfectly.  We would not have so many who are able to stand when all appears well, and once persecution comes they begin to flee.  As the word declares: “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; YET hath he NO root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth BECAUSE of the word, by and by he is offended. (Matt 13:20-21)  This is WHY it is so VITALLY IMPORTANT to not just call an “Altar Call” for the purpose of boasting how many recited WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING,  a prayer.  But the TRUTH must BOLDLY be spoken to those who come in REPENTANCE to the Lord,  of what lies ahead for the believer who TRULY denies himself, takes up his cross and FOLLOWS JESUS!    It is a difficult road and yet it is the ONLY road that leads to LIFE!  Sadly, as the word declares, very few find it.  For it is easier to walk through the wide and broad gate down the road that leads to destruction, because whilst treading upon this road, there is very little if none at all, suffering and persecution. Yet, for every believer that seeks to follow the Lord, such SHALL INDEED suffer persecution.  As it is written: “Yea, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2^nd Tim 3:12)  Even if one forsakes all for Christ and the Gospel and all were then returned to him a hundred fold in this life, even the receipt of this is not without persecution.  As it is written: “But he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children and lands, WITH PERSECUTIONS; and in the world to come ETERNAL LIFE.” (Mark 10:30)  To sum it all up, life for the one who TRULY desires to follow Jesus Christ our Lord, will NOT be easy…BUT…The rewards shall be GREAT for he that endures.  For if we expect to GLORY with Him, we must also be WILLING to suffer for His Name Sake. 

There are countless of believers all over the world who suffer daily persecution for their faith, and some EVEN unto death!  Our beloved brethren in parts of India, Africa, Asia, The Middle East, and such undergo horrific and unheard of persecution mainly because of their faith in Christ.  They are not simply “mistreated”, but are beaten, falsely imprisoned, tortured beyond human’s ability to withstand, and YES….MURDERED!  And all the while they REFUSE to bow the knee to any other God, except Jesus Christ our Lord!  PRECIOUS SAINTS they are, Indeed of “The Persecuted Church”, who shall receive a GREAT reward for their endurance to the end.   It is no wonder they receive MORE of the presence of the Holy Spirit, a deeper knowledge of the things of God, MORE manifestations of his miraculous healing power,  for they HUNGER and PRESS THROUGH IT ALL for HIM!   Seeking NOT for the things of this world, but holding FIRM to the promise of the crown of LIFE! 

There is the doctrine being taught by many that once we “come to The Lord”, ALL of our troubles would be over.   We would have everything we ever desired, and would be consumed daily by his many blessings, and we need not do a thing except receive it!  We can live our lives as we choose, we can even continue in sin and he will simply forgive.  There is no need of “spiritual growth”, as long as we have recited a prayer, and confessed his name, we have the assurance of salvation.  THIS IS FALSE DOCTRINE, and has led and WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD MANY TO HELL who heed to it!   For the Lord NEVER promised an easy road in fact JUST the opposite: “These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME ye might have peace.  In the world ye SHALL have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  He said in his word that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness, BUT HE ALSO SAID:  “FORGIVE, and YE shall be FORGIVEN” and again, “But if ye forgive NOT men their trespasses, NEITHER will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt 6:15)  How many brethren have refuse from their HEART to forgive another and yet all the while believe their sins have been forgiven by God?  And notion that all one needs to do is recite a prayer and thus are assured of salvation, is foolishness.  For one cannot truly receive Christ without FIRST acknowledging his/her need of a Savior, thus coming to Him in Godly sorrow for their sins, WITH TRUE REPENTANCE.  Repentance is not simply saying “I’m sorry”, REPENTANCE IS TURNING AWAY FROM THE SINS THAT HAD US BOUND and then TURNING TO CHRIST AND FOLLOWING HIM!    Finally, The Lord does INDEED bless his own, but he never promised to give us everything we WANT, He only promised to supply ALL OUR NEEDS. 

Do not be deceived!  Remember my brethren, we are like “spiritual aliens” in a foreign land as this world is NOT our home, so seek NOT the love of this world nor the things thereof, but SEEK THAT WHICH IS ETERNAL!  For the promises of God is that which would last for ETERNITY, anything else are precious GIFTS he gives to those who are obedient to His word, yet even those things shall pass away.  

This message is not to suggest that the life of a believer will be bleak and consumed with nothing but struggles, pain, misery and such, for the Lord has promised to never leave nor forsake us, and will provide ways of escape.  He will also give us the things we have need of as we put our faith and trust in Him.  This message is to help one understand that there will be times of persecution, and tribulations thus one must ALWAYS be spiritually prepared knowing that HE who is FAITHFUL and TRUE to His word, will deliver us from them all.  This message also is given in hopes of encouraging one who’s presently suffering many persecutions, and trials to HOLD ON, and FAINT NOT!  Endure to the end, and you shall receive a crown of life!  Remember that weeping endures for a night but JOY comes in the morning.   When the MORNING STAR ARISE.  “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.  I AM THE ROOT AND OFFSPRING OF DAVID, AND THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR” (Rev 22:16)

 I Love you all so very much.  Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember:  Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)……..

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God