Don’t be afraid of what is coming

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 2v10

The other night I was talking with some friends about the way things are in the world today. The economic situation is scary. The political situation is scary. The social situation is scary. And even worse for us, the situation for Christians is not looking great either. Our rights and liberties and freedom to proclaim God’s word are under threat. Simply preaching God’s word may soon see us charged with things like, ‘inciting hatred.’

One of my friends asked me – ‘So what are we going to do?’ I told her that we can be glad that we are God’s children in the midst of all of this.

The church at Smyrna was in a similar situation. Jesus tells them here that some of them are about to go to jail. He told them that they were about to face real trials and tribulations. And He told them what to do.

‘Don’t be afraid of the things you are about to suffer,’ Jesus said, but – ‘be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.’

What do we do in scary times? We be faithful and look to the end. When the end finally comes there will be no poverty, no suffering, no imprisonment, no testings, and no tribulation. There will only be eternity with Christ and the reward of a crown of life.

It may get tough folks – by God’s grace may we stay faithful.