Episode 960: Why do the Lord allow believers to have tribulation? Part 1

Hello everyone. In tonight's Bible study we continue our deep dive into the Seven Churches that our Lord wrote letters and gave to the apostle John.

The typical pattern of these letters usually have two things, a commendation then a condemnation. In His letter to the church at Smyrna the Lord gave only a commendation.

Why? What was happening in the church at Smyrna that upon inspection by the Holy One of Israel, He found no faults?

Were the people in this church "super spiritual" whereby they reached some higher plateaux of holiness and relations with God that they did not sin anymore? Of course not. There is no such thing. No believer will ever be perfect in this life, not even close. We are however perfect in spirit but not in soul and body. This is called the first fruit of salvation.

Then what was it that caused the Lord not to point out any faults of the church at Smyrna? Well, the clue is in how the Lord identifies Himself to His church.

I am God and I conquered death. This church was destined to suffer and most in this church was going to be put to death physically for their faith in Christ.

Will every believer go through this type of suffering for the cause of Christ? No, that is why the Lord wrote letters to seven churches and not just one. There will always be believers who resembles each of the churches during every age.

Tonight's study is 1 hour and 20 minutes in duration. I have broken it into seven segments. This is segment 6 of 7 titled Why do the Lord allow believers to have tribulation? Part 1