Rev. 2:8 Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Smyrna. “These are the words of the First and the Last, the One who was dead and returned to life: 9“I know [your deeds and] the difficult ordeal you are enduring and your poverty, although you are actually rich. I am aware of the offensive accusations preached by those who call themselves ‘Jews.’ But these people are not the Jews they pretend to be; they are actually the congregation of Satan. 10In the face of suffering, do not fear. Watch; the devil will throw some of you into prison shortly so that you might be tested, and you will endure great affliction for 10 days. Be faithful throughout your life, until the day you die, and I will give you the victor’s wreath of life. 11“Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches. The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death will escape the second death.” THE VOICE
YOU ARE RICH
Rev. 2:9 THE VOICE - I know [your deeds and] the difficult ordeal you are enduring and your poverty, although you are actually rich.
“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18, NKJV)
Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering. - 3John2 TPT
“How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money!”(Matthew 6:24, TPT)
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:10–12, NKJV)
DON’T FEAR
Rev. 2:10 - THE VOICE - In the face of suffering, do not fear. Watch; the devil will throw some of you into prison shortly so that you might be tested, and you will endure great affliction for 10 days.
“Be on your guard! For there will be those who will betray you before their religious councils and brutally beat you with whips in their public gatherings. And because you follow me, they will take you to stand trial in front of rulers and even kings as an opportunity to testify of me before them and the unbelievers. So when they arrest you, don’t worry about how to speak or what you are to say, for the Holy Spirit will give you at that very moment the words to speak. It won’t be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father repeatedly speaking through you. “A brother will betray his brother unto death—even a father his child! Children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. Expect to be hated by all because of my name, but be faithful to the end and you will experience life and deliverance. “Don’t be afraid or intimidated by others, for God will bring everything out into the open and every secret will be told. What I say to you in the dark, repeat in broad daylight, and what you hear in a whisper, announce it publicly. Don’t be in fear of those who can kill only the body but not your soul. Fear only God, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. You can buy two sparrows for only a copper coin, yet not even one sparrow falls from its nest without the knowledge of your Father. Aren’t you worth much more to God than many sparrows?So don’t worry. For your Father cares deeply about even the smallest detail of your life.” (Matthew 10:17–22;26-31, TPT)
“The Lord gives me light and saves me. Why should I fear anyone? The Lord is my place of safety. Why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, NIrV)
“Little children, you can be certain that you belong to God and have conquered them, for the One who is living in you is far greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, TPT)
“Take my side, God—I’m getting kicked around, stomped on every day. Not a day goes by but somebody beats me up; They make it their duty to beat me up. When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I’m proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?” (Psalm 56:1–4, The Message)
BE FAITHFUL
“Stay with GOD! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with GOD.” (Psalm 27:14, The Message)
Prov. 28:13 TLB - A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful, but if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.
“But even if we are faithless, he will still be full of faith, for he never wavers in his faithfulness to us!” (2 Timothy 2:13, TPT)
“Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9, TPT)