Notes of Faith April 14, 2025
Expect Testing
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10
The city of Smyrna was on the west coast of Asia minor. It was a beautiful and sophisticated city, loyal to Rome and the emperor. The leaders of Smyrna petitioned Rome for permission to build a temple to honor the deity-status of Emperor Tiberius—permission which was granted. Smyrna had a “crown of porticos,” a collection of beautiful public buildings encircling Mount Pagos like a crown.
The emperor-worshiping Roman population, along with a hostile Jewish community, made life as a Christian difficult in Smyrna. But Christ told the church in Smyrna they would receive a “crown of life” if they would persevere through their persecution—in contrast to the pagan “crown of porticos” of Smyrna. Paul had reminded the churches in Asia Minor that entrance to the Kingdom would only be through tribulations (Acts 14:22).
Entrust the troubles you are currently experiencing to Jesus, the One who knows what you are going through for His sake.
Persecution...is one of the marks of a converted man.
J. C. Ryle
We all face tribulation, trials, temptations, and even serious hate, yet we are told to persevere in these relatively short circumstances to receive the crown of life that is eternal.
John 15:15-18
"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 "This I command you, that you love one another. 18 "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
Rom 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Pastor Dale