The book of Revelation reveals in its disclosure the blessings that come to those who participate in the power and in the glory of the kingdom of God on earth, the true Israel of God. Paul simply stated, Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen [original, a race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically non-Jewish] through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham (Gal. 3:7-9). With the name Israel coming from a compound word consisting of God and to prevail meaning, "he will rule as God" or "God prevails in the believer," the true Jew as well as true believers of all nations are those who solely trust Christ as their redeemer: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature [original, "new formation"]. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God (Gal. 6:15-16). Paul is stating that the new nation of God would not be based upon being a natural descendant of Abraham, but a new creation consisting of people in every nation in whom God prevails. Believers in this new spiritual nation in the church at Smyrna were being persecuted by a particular group of Jews that had failed to be matriculated from old physical Israel to new spiritual Israel. They had remained in the image of the earthly (the physical kingdom of Israel). They were, as John recorded, "which say they are Jews, and are not" (Rev. 2:9). There would, according to Paul, be a remnant that would obtain through Jesus Christ "the righteousness of God." There were many, however, including some of those in Smyrna, who remain in the old way failing to obtain the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. Paul stated to the Galatians, "But as then he [Ishmael] that was born after the flesh persecuted him [Isaac] that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now" (Gal. 4:29). It is likely that some, if not most, of the believers in Smyrna were of the Jewish heritage. These Jews who were of the heavenly image in the kingdom of God were being persecuted by certain Jews of the earthly image of physical Israel. The emphasis is the flesh has always been the adversary to the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). John in Revelation warned the believers in Smyrna that they would face "tribulation ten days." Accusations would be thrown at them (literal meaning of the word that is translated devil) that could caused them to lose their freedom in living life in Jesus Christ. This test or trial in their lives, which was meant to destroy, would actual expose the real source of their existence. The pressure (tribulation) would reveal in their lives the image of the earthly or the image of the heavenly. They were encouraged to "be thou faithful unto death." If they would not resist the taking down of the earthly and let it run its course, the "one like unto the Son of man" would give them "a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). They could rejoice in the unspeakable joy of the fulness of glory in the nearness of Christ in their lives. The flesh can be conquered by the Spirit. Heavenly Father, as I face the pressure of living life today, help me to realize the mystery of all mysteries, the resurrection of my soul. The pressure I face today, coming often from mean spirited people, will be meant to destroy my peace, the contentment of my soul. But, thanks be to Jesus, that pressure to destroy can be turned into the coming forth of the nearness of Christ. Heavenly Father, let me experience a greater resurrection of the nearness of your Son in my life. I desire, I want, I must experience Jesus today. This, I pray. Amen!