To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna

 Revelation 2:8-17

To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

The little church at Smyrna was poverty-stricken but rich in all that mattered. Jesus' word to them is all encouragement. He has set a definite limit to their suffering and he holds out to them the gift of life. They will not be condemned at the judgment.

At Pergamum, the church had made a brave stand despite external pressure, but some members are addicted to false teaching. As a result, old pagan practices are creeping in. Their choice is to repent or have Chris 'fight against them'.

Why?

Do not find any excuse to do evil things, be faithful to what we believe.

Be victorious: Trust in Jesus Christ and suffering the oppressing, for God is with us.

Suffering comes from Satan, no from the Lord, ten days means the period is short.

Facing the dead is difficult to our faith, but no matter what happens longer or shorter, a man will die. 

Do not negotiate with the sins, no any excuse to permitted sins, but with love and the word of the Lord.

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士每拿教會位在帝王崇拜風氣的城市。因為基督徒被認為在作亂，猶太人為了撇清與基督徒的關係，因此抵毀基督教。

1)基督超過時間、空間的限制，是全能的掌管者。2)基督死過又活了。這兩點是士每拿教會需要的。

基督徒他們在當地被異教徒排擠，攻擊，且不易找到工作。他們有可能殉道，但是耶穌死而復活。盼望忠心的人與耶穌一同復活。以此來勉勵他們。

別迦摩教會，兩刃的利劍，象徵羅馬當地官長的審判。提醒他們神才是審判者。有人殉道還是要堅守真理。但是還是有人妥協了，因為教會容忍這種事發生。巴蘭叫人吃不潔的，祭偶像之物。我們要接納罪人，但不是接納惡事。我們口中都堅守信仰，但是面對罪惡引誘卻很容易被引誘，妥協，被罪惡打敗。嗎哪代表耶穌基督，白石好像現在男女愛人、夫妻在石頭上寫名字。不妥協的人可能被排擠，但是基督要給他們恩典、瑪哪，超過他們所失去的。讓我們脫離世俗成為聖潔。

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How?

Let us focus on the hidden manna, let us be victorious in our life.