To the church leaders in the proud and beautiful city I say this:

My words are the First and Last. My words are from the one who died and came to life again.

I know your afflictions. I too was afflicted for your sake.

I know your poverty. I had neither home nor possessions.

I know the slander of those who say they are righteous and without blame but are not. I too suffered slander and was told that I was possessed by Beelzebul: that by the prince of demons I drove out demons. Those who say such things are of the synagogue of Satan. 

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Remember that when I was with you I warned that you would be hated by everyone because of me. You will be handed over to local officials and flogged. You will be brought before governors and rulers as witnesses to them. Your brother, sister, father and mother will turn you in. This is only the beginning. 

I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test your love for me. You will suffer persecution for my name’s sake. 

Be faithful even to the point of death. Afterwards, I myself will place the crown of life on your head. 

We can never fight against sin. The conflict is waged over turning our natural life into a spiritual life and that is only accomplished through a series of moral choices. – Oswald Chambers