Suffering Purifies

Recently I've been going through the letters to the churches in the book of Revelation found in chapters 2 and 3.  This is for us too as though each letter is a word from Jesus, to an angel, and transcribed by the apostle John (Revelation 1: 1-2) and addressed to a single church, the letters end with the phrase "the Spirit says to the churches."  This means that it is news for us even today.

Today I read about Smyrna in Revelation 2: 8-11.  As it is so short, I will post it here.

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a]of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.10 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. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

One thing that stood out was that this church was going to suffer.  Jesus was telling them to expect it...in fact Satan himself was behind this persecution.  He asks them to be faithful unto death!  They had been experiencing tribulation and were poor.  

Yet he says they are rich.  

When I was in college I had roommates that didn't share my faith who took their cues from what Christianity was by televised shows where a "prosperity" doctrine was taught:  God wants you healthy and rich!  Just send us your money!  

From what I can tell in this letter, it isn't His plan for us at all.  

Suffering and pain occur.  Financial hardship occurs.  Does God not care?  Why would allow this?  

I don't pretend to know the answer to these questions as His will is mysterious.  I just know that He is good and for me at all times.  

Romans 8:17-18 says that if we are in God's family, we will live like Him.  His life on earth was marked with suffering so we will go through that too as this world is still broken and He wants us to respond the way He did.  And He also says that if we suffer with Him, we will share His glory too and there is no comparison!  The glory that awaits us is far beyond the suffering.  

And they are rich-rich in God's economy.  They had spiritual riches, a life purified unto Him.  1 Peter 4:1 says that "whoever has suffered in in the flesh has ceased from sin."  Notice they are the only letter who does not receive an admonition.  Their suffering has purified them.  

To those who suffer, to us even now, those who remain faithful no matter what goes on around them will receive the crown of life.  Life forever! 

I know suffering is hard, but remember God can use it for good things.  Let us encourage one another, when being faithful is hard, to run the race with endurance that is set before us (Hebrews 12:2).