God has an eternal plan and He is not behind or ahead – He is on time!

The church should be reminded that Satan does not have ultimate power.

Take a look around us in America and it looks like this country is clearly in the hands of Satan.

Against all odds we are instructed in Scripture to fix our gaze upon Christ.

6-8% of those who confess to be Christian that would state they are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.

60% of non-believers in Canada and America do not even know a Christian by name.

The angel of the church not fear what you are about to suffer – tough days are coming but God is still in ultimate control.

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna

“86 years I have served him,” Polycarp declared, “and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

“…be faithful until death…”

The Christians declaration is “against all odds!”

In the 1360’s, the Muslim warlord Aksak Timur

“washing the sword of Islam in the blood of the infidels.”

When it was over the New York Times headline wrote “Smyrna Wiped Out.”

One eye-witness, a Christian Greek Stylianos Ayanoglou, reported the screams and smell of burning flesh as hundreds were shoved into a building that was set on fire.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

When it was over, thousands were dead, churches burned, hospitals destroyed and Smyrna was no more – the name was changed to Izmir, Turkey.

Polish-Jewish Lawyer Raphel Lemkin coined the word “genocide,” meaning acts of extermination directed against the ethnic, religious, or social collectiveness whatever the motive.

You cannot read this passage of Scripture and miss the “life-death” motif. The words, “…do not fear what you are about to suffer…”

First, we can take comfort in that fact that Jesus knew in advance what the church would endure.

Secondly, take notice that the Sovereign God possesses control over the extent of suffering of these believers.

Thirdly, God rules over the affairs of men.

”…that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

“I, the Lord, have called you to righteousness; I will take hold of your hand …”