The document discusses the persecution and martyrdom of early Christians throughout history. It references Polycarp, a bishop in Smyrna who was martyred for his faith, and the destruction of Smyrna by Muslim warlord Aksak Timur in the 1360s. It notes that God remains in control despite periods of suffering for believers, and that future glory will outweigh present hardships.

2. God has an eternal
plan and He is not
behind or ahead – He
is on time!

3. The church should be
reminded that Satan does
not have ultimate power.

4. Take a look around us in
America and it looks like
this country is clearly in the
hands of Satan.

5. Against all odds we are
instructed in Scripture
to fix our gaze upon
Christ.

6. 6-8% of those who confess
to be Christian that would
state they are saved by the
blood of Jesus Christ.

7. 60% of non-believers in
Canada and America do
not even know a Christian
by name.

8. The angel of the church not
fear what you are about to
suffer – tough days are
coming but God is still in
ultimate control.

9. Polycarp, Bishop
of Smyrna

10. “86 years I have served him,”
Polycarp declared, “and he
has done me no wrong. How
can I blaspheme my King and
my Savior?”

11. “…be faithful until
death…”

12. The Christians
declaration is “against
all odds!”

13. In the 1360’s, the
Muslim warlord
Aksak Timur

14. “washing the sword of
Islam in the blood of the
infidels.”

15. When it was over the
New York Times
headline wrote
“Smyrna Wiped Out.”

16. One eye-witness, a Christian
Greek Stylianos Ayanoglou,
reported the screams and smell
of burning flesh as hundreds
were shoved into a building
that was set on fire.

17. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

18. When it was over, thousands
were dead, churches burned,
hospitals destroyed and
Smyrna was no more – the
name was changed to Izmir,
Turkey.

19. Polish-Jewish Lawyer Raphel
Lemkin coined the word
“genocide,” meaning acts of
extermination directed against the
ethnic, religious, or social
collectiveness whatever the
motive.

20. You cannot read this passage of
Scripture and miss the “lifedeath” motif. The words, “…do
not fear what you are about to
suffer…”

21. First, we can take comfort in
that fact that Jesus knew in
advance what the church
would endure.

22. Secondly, take notice that the
Sovereign God possesses
control over the extent of
suffering of these believers.

23. Thirdly, God rules
over the affairs of
men.

24. ”…that our present sufferings
are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed
in us.”

25. “I, the Lord, have called
you to righteousness; I
will take hold of your
hand …”