Well Done Good and Faithful One

"Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna:
The First and Last, the One who was dead and came to life says: " I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews but are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death. Revelation 2:8-11

Not a good letter! Yet receiving in personally from your Lord would bring encouragement. This church did not shine in any particular area to them, they were poor and afflicted but Christ was telling them that they were really rich. They clung to Him and trusted Him and now were being encouraged to stay faithful unto death.

Are you judging yourself by your circumstances? Yesterday I spoke to a client who is a Presbyterian minister in a small town. He had nothing and faced retirement on a government pension. He had not been a man who pastored a large congregation yet if he has been faithful to The Lord all His life then He is indeed rich.

I have a girlfriend who has given her best years to missionary work in Japan. She bypassed marriage because it would have taken her away from Japan. My friend has no super to retire on and will have to depend on The Lord. I know that faithful ones have supported her and her parents have made provision for a home for when she returns. She had been one who plows the field, she has worked in a harsh pagan society, yet she prevails in a rural community in the middle of Japan's main island.

This book could have been written to many who have suffered for Christ. Our Western society deems one such to be unsuccessful unless they have large churches and living well. What does Christ see? My friend has loved The Lord faithfully and would do until death, I honour her, admire her and want to be there when she receives her reward, the crown of life. Amen!

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