How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in his excellent word.

One moment can change everything.

Maybe it was a health issue that knocked the wind out of you, or a mistake that you made,

or the heartbreak of rejection or grief.

We do almost anything to avoid that kind of pain.

But God's word reminds us that he can use even our deepest struggles for our good.

I'm Steve Schwetz, and in our study of the New Testament Book of Revelation, our teacher, Dr. J. Vernon McGee, addresses the critical question, why do God's children suffer?

And one of his answers may surprise you.

As we arrive at Revelation chapter 2, beginning at verse 8, we're going to hear about the suffering the people in the church in Smyrna experienced.

But first, here's a quick introduction by Dr. McGee.

And it's not accidental, but providential, that we've come to the book of Revelation at this time, because very candidly, the world has come to a sad state today.

And it's quite evident that there are problems that are facing the world right now,

which man cannot solve, in spite of the fact that a very wealthy banker in New York City is reported to have said

that there is not a problem in the world, but what man can solve if he works at it long enough?

Well, man has been working now several thousand years to solve the problems of this world,

and it's in a bigger mess than when he started.

And so we believe this book will throw a great deal of light on what's happening today.

That's so true, isn't it? The world isn't getting better? But God's plan has never changed,

and his word gives us the perspective and hope that we need. Before we open Revelation together

and hear more from Dr. McKee, let's pause to read a couple letters

from fellow Bible bus passengers who were finding strength in God's word during their own

difficult days. First, we hear from a listener who tells us what he learned from our study in Job.

...