#35 On the Nature of God: Revelations from Revelation: Smyrna

Can you remember when you were little, and it seemed that on some days everything was going wrong? (The kids at school said ugly things about me! Or, the teacher at school was mean to me! Or, I can’t understand the homework or text book!) At home, a parent may have helped greatly by sympathizing and gently consoling you. Remember how good it felt to have a parent sympathize?

The church at Smyrna faced hard times. Jesus sympathized with them through the pen of the Apostle John, Revelation 2: 8-10:

“The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

It was the nature of Jesus to know that life was tough for Christians in Smyrna and remind them that He had died and had been resurrected. Those facts were particularly relevant to these Christians suffering persecution and about to suffer more. Some might die. Jesus then provides instructions as to how to live in such an environment of persecution: Be faithful, even if it costs you your life. The reward will be a crown of life to replace the death on this earth. James was inspired to write likewise about the same promise under trial, James 1:12:

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Sometimes, life will be hard for us. We may be overwhelmed with troubles and persecutions. Reading about the church in Smyrna and listening to James can be comforting. At death, we are promised a resurrection and  a crown of life.

It is the nature of God to provide words to comfort us in trying times and instructions to remain faithful when life is hard. Jesus knows how it is. He lived on this earth just like you and me. He comforts us. While remaining faithful, we can remember that Jesus died and was resurrected so that we can also be resurrected to an eternal life in heaven with Him.

It is the nature of God to encourage us when life is tough and to give us eternal life after death and the judgment.

The lesson to us is obvious. We must remain faithful even during severe persecution.

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