耶稣对祂的教会群体有深切的认识，祂知道我们的长处和软弱，祂也知道我们所受的痛苦。
在写给士每拿教会的信中，耶稣表明祂知道那里的信徒所受的患难，祂也知道， 他们因着不公正而遭受的痛苦会越来越严重，祂于是写了这封简短的信给他们，把盼望和激励带给他们的教会群体。
因相信耶稣而受更多痛苦，是不容易的。耶稣形容教会的敌人为撒但一会的人，撒但就是那设法毁灭神的子民和神所有的创造的大骗子。耶稣说，在士每拿有些基督徒将会下在监里，他们将要受苦被逼迫，而约翰自己也因他的信仰受罚、被放逐到拔摩岛；另有其他人，例如在士每拿曾接受约翰教导的坡旅甲，后来也因传讲和教导耶稣是主和世人的救主被处决。像那些初代基督徒一样，我们也蒙召“务要至死忠心。”
苦难能试验我们对耶稣的信心的质素和耐力。我们也可能会因重病、忧伤、或经济上的损失而受苦，这些事情都会挑战我们的信心。然而耶稣却说：“你不用怕”，因为，虽然我们的敌人魔鬼看来可能占了上风，但神必定会赐我们永远与祂同在的生命。
主啊，求你加力给我们，好叫我们能够常常忠心于你。阿们。
启示录 2:8-11
8“你要写信给士每拿教会的使者说：‘那首先的、末后的、死过又活的说：
9我知道你的患难、你的贫穷，你却是富足的；也知道那自称是犹太人所说的毁谤话，其实他们不是犹太人，乃是撒旦一会的人。
10‘你将要受的苦你不用怕。魔鬼要把你们中间几个人下在监里，叫你们被试炼，你们必受患难十日。你务要至死忠心，我就赐给你那生命的冠冕。
11圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！得胜的，必不受第二次死的害。’
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” - Revelation 2:10
Jesus knows his church communities completely. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He also knows our sufferings.
In his letter to the church in Smyrna, Jesus reveals that he knew the afflictions of his followers there. He also knew that their suffering of injustices would grow worse. He composed this short letter to give hope and encouragement to their church community.
Suffering even more for their faith in Jesus would not be easy. Jesus described the enemies of the church as followers of Satan, the great deceiver who wants to destroy God’s people and all of God’s creation. Some of the Christians in Smyrna would be put in prison, Jesus said, and they would suffer persecution. John himself was being punished for his faith by being exiled to Patmos. Some others, like Polycarp of Smyrna, who was taught by John, were later executed for speaking out, teaching that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of the world. Like those early Christians, we too are called to “be faithful, even to the point of death.”
Suffering tests the character and strength of our faith in Jesus. We may also suffer terrible illness, grief, or financial loss—and find that it challenges our faith. But Jesus says, “Do not be afraid,” because, even though our enemy, the devil, may seem to have the upper hand, God will give us life forever with him.
Strengthen us, Lord, that we may be faithful to you always. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
