In the Book of Revelation, Jesus released seven letters to seven churches in the province of Asia. This revelation was given to John late in life, probably around 96 A.D. By then many churches established by the apostles and other evangelists were several decades old. The first generation of believers was giving way to a second generation. The passion and commitment of the first generation was giving way to a generation that had not seen Jesus in the flesh. Out of the seven churches, two were totally affirmed because of their faithfulness in the midst of persecution while five others were admonished in some way.

Although, these letters were written to churches, the affirmations and admonitions could be given to individuals as well. It is always a good thing to “run a quick diagnostic” on ourselves to see how we are doing in the eyes of the Lord. So, in the next few blogs lets use these letters as a quick-check for our spiritual lives.

Two churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, were in the midst of persecution. Jesus praised both of them for having patiently endured and for having kept his word. He promised victory to both of them if they would continue to endure a little longer. The flavor of the letters suggests that these were small communities of believers that did not have much wealth or influence, yet they had endured and stayed true to the faith.

Endurance is a spiritual quality that is frequently spoken of in scripture. In America, we have not experienced much direct persecution from government or other religions on the basis of our faith (although we may be on the brink of considerable persecution), but we all have experienced persecution that comes from Satan.

Many believers don’t recognize the persecution of the enemy that works through individuals in our lives (family and co-workers). Satan prompts these individuals to accuse, attack, reject, gossip, and slander us. That persecution is real and affects us spiritually. Think about how it wears you down and wounds you. Think about how it has caused you to doubt God’s promises when you have cried out to him about these relational injustices. Think about how it has caused you to doubt yourself. The persecution is real.

Endurance and a continuing faith in the promises of God is what Jesus is looking for. James declares, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Ja.1:2-4).

As believers, there will be times when we have to endure injustice, discrimination, and persecution with no quick fix. Endurance perfects our spirits. If our trials were resolved quickly, there would be no need for endurance and patience. I talk to many believers whose faith is fragile because they have been in a relational battle for months or years. They feel as if God is not hearing their prayers because the battle has not gone away. Yet the greatest heroes of the faith had to endure – exile, prison, deserts, persecution, slander, etc.

The message of Revelation is, “Hold on a little longer. Do not waiver. Your victory is in the pipeline.” These victories typically come just when we are on the brink of totally giving up because we have exhausted all of our strategies. It is then that we truly surrender the problem to God and it is then that victory often comes. Sometimes the victory is not a change in our tormentor but is a change in our own hearts that allows us to view the tormentor with different eyes and face the assaults with a different heart.

How are we doing on endurance? Have we allowed the enemy to wear us down and undermine our certainty in the promises of God? Go back a reaffirm the promises of God in your heart. Determine to simply be obedient to God, regardless of what others may do. Wait on the Lord and be known in heaven as one who would not give in.   Wait on the Lord and be known in heaven as one who won the applause of Jesus. Blessings and endurance in every hardship today.

More from Revelation on Wednesday.