In today's episode, Craig and LaDonna continue unpacking Christ's words to the church in Smyrna. The passage under consideration is Revelation 2:8-11. Today's focus is from Christ's admonition to them about the persecutions they are and were to suffer for His name's sake. The Smiths shared in last week's episode about the severe suffering that had taken place in the region under ten powerful leaders of the Roman Empire and the great faith that believers had while facing persecutions that often led to violent and painful deaths. Today, the Smith's contrast the heroic efforts the churches had in the face of great tyranny and suffering with the cowardly way many of these ten Roman emperor's lives ended. What a sharp contrast it was. Using some great information from Dr. David Jeremiah's teaching and preaching on the events of Revelation 2, the Smith's take the rest of today's episode to share some of the ways, in their own personal journeys through pain and suffering, they were able to see faith trump fear, time and time again. Suffering has always been, is now, and will be until Jesus comes again, part of the life of His Church and His children. The question the Smiths leave us all is, are we willing, ready and enabled to face suffering when it comes our way? Be encouraged, dear friends, because Christ's indwelling power can and will see us through every trial that may come until we see Him face to face! What a great hope Revelation gives the believer! Live in it and rejoice that we are more than conquerers through Him that loved us, and loves us still!

Today, Craig and LaDonna Smith return to their teaching series on Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor. Their focus today, and in in a few more episodes to come, is the church in Smyrna, found in Revelation 2:8-11. Smyrna is only one of two churches of the seven that received commendation from Christ, and no condemnation from Him. The Smiths walk us all through the highlights of this church, including the fact that they were a persecuted church, which brought praise from the Lord as to how they persevered under pressure. He also noted of them that they were not, in the eyes of the world, wealthy people or a wealthy church. He said "I know your poverty - yet you are rich! What did Jesus mean by that? Well, the Smiths help unpackage what Jesus said, and support it with other biblical passages that share the same sentiment. It's a great launch into the words of Christ to this second of the seven churches included in the Book of Revelation. We at TRM hope you will stay with the Smiths all the way through their important study on eschatology (end times), while focusing on the Book of Revelation as the launching point into all of the Scriptures and it's prophetic teaching to the world. If you are joining us recently, you might want to go back to the very first episode they launched on prophecy. To do so you'd have to go all the way back to the September 17, 2025 episode to begin this journey. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to catch up, as this series is a long way from completion. But isn't it interesting stuff? See you next week, dear friend! And, stay tuned!

In this final episode in the Smith's journey back to why they believe, teach, and preach from the literal interpretation of Scripture. This has incredible importance to how they present this extended prophecy series on the Coming of the Lord. It is only when one is committed to the literal interpretation of the Scriptures that you come to an understanding that the Second Coming of Christ begins with a literal rapture (catching away) of the church into the clouds to meet the Lord and all those who have died in Christ and be taken back into heaven. Then a seven year Great Tribulation period follows, where the wrath and judgement of God is poured out on disobedient Israel and all other nations, culminating with Christ's return to earth in His Second Coming, with all the saints assembled in heaven with Him as He fights the final Battle o Armageddon with Satan and all of mankind. The a thousand year time of peace and safety on earth, known as the Millennial Reign of Christ, followed by one small skirmish with Satan, who has been released by God for a brief time, which results in his final banishment to the Lake of Fire, followed by the Great White Throne Judgement of all the unbelievers throughout history and their final judgement and banishment to the same destination Satan was sent to, and then a new eternal state which will last for all eternity, free from the power and presence of evil. Paradise for sure! It's crucial, in Craig and LaDonna Smith's hearts, to make sure newer listeners understand the teaching of the Smiths, which is in alignment with a literal interpretation of the Scriptures. Once completed with this session, the Smiths return to Revelation 2 and pick up with Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor, starting with the second church, found in Smyrna. Much more to come, dear friends, in this extended study in the Book of Revelation and all other supporting passages in both the Old and New Testaments. What a journey we all are on. Craig and LaDonna appreciate your joining them in this incredible road map on things to come! All here on the Indigenous Faith broadcast!