God Only Knows…

And to the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: This is the message from the One who is the First and the Last, who died and is alive…

I know about your suffering and your poverty–but you are rich! I know the slander of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they really aren’t because theirs is a synagogue of Satan.

Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; for ten days you will have affliction. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes shall in no way be injured by the second death.

Sincerely,
The One Who Died And Is Alive…

Bible Translations: NASB – KJV – MESSAGE – AMPLIFIED – NLT – ESV – NIV

Bible Breakdown
by B. Munoz on Revelation 2:8-11

God Knows (But really, He does)

Verse Breakdown:

8 From the Eternal One
9 Our struggles not just seen—they are are KNOWN
10 Hand picked for persecution
11 No Hell for the Hopeful

Message:
Many times are spiritual perspective of the Almighty defaults to an all seeing being who merely observes all earthly activities via satellite from his distant throne room. But God not only sees our hardships from a heavenly focal point, he knows our feelings and perspectives completely as if he were us.

Jesus moved many times out of great compassion for the people within his reach. Many of his greatest miracles had loads of mixed emotion in them: anger, grief, etc. God is not an indifferent puppeteer. He is like a method actor who endeavours to feel evrything inside the character being portrayed.

Samuel L Jackson speaks about getting by for years on Broadway knowing all the right cues and expressions; even making tears fall on a dime. It was only when he decided to dive inside the characters skin and feel them from the inside out that the world began to take notice of his talent.

God inhabits the skin of anyone who calls Jesus Lord, so of course he knows all about the intense chemical reactions and anxieties that make up our daily experience as well as the stimuli (circumstances) causing them. In these days of mile high stress and bottomless uncertainty, it is so good to know that He KNOWS our struggles and poverty! He loves to help the helpless who trust in Him.

Application:
When I get picked on or persecuted by people I will remember that God chose me cause he knows we can take it—together.

Memory Verse: (9)

I know about your suffering and your poverty–but you are rich! I know the slander of those opposing you.

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If any of you are feeling adventurous, please see the instructions below on how to do a Bible Breakdown. Leave the cheap novels on the the shelf choose an eternal book to really dig into this summer. I dare you.

What are you afraid of? God actually saying something?