In today's episode, Craig and LaDonna continue unpacking Christ's words to the church in Smyrna. The passage under consideration is Revelation 2:8-11. Today's focus is from Christ's admonition to them about the persecutions they are and were to suffer for His name's sake. The Smiths shared in last week's episode about the severe suffering that had taken place in the region under ten powerful leaders of the Roman Empire and the great faith that believers had while facing persecutions that often led to violent and painful deaths. Today, the Smith's contrast the heroic efforts the churches had in the face of great tyranny and suffering with the cowardly way many of these ten Roman emperor's lives ended. What a sharp contrast it was. Using some great information from Dr. David Jeremiah's teaching and preaching on the events of Revelation 2, the Smith's take the rest of today's episode to share some of the ways, in their own personal journeys through pain and suffering, they were able to see faith trump fear, time and time again. Suffering has always been, is now, and will be until Jesus comes again, part of the life of His Church and His children. The question the Smiths leave us all is, are we willing, ready and enabled to face suffering when it comes our way? Be encouraged, dear friends, because Christ's indwelling power can and will see us through every trial that may come until we see Him face to face! What a great hope Revelation gives the believer! Live in it and rejoice that we are more than conquerers through Him that loved us, and loves us still!