I've been attending a bible study that covers Revelation 2 and the letters to the seven churches in Asia.  I've never been a "fan" of that book as it is completely over my head, but I have to say that the leader of the study is doing a great job of shedding some light on what the book is saying, at least for me.  The discussion with the participants helps my perspective immensely. 
Stop reading here if you don't want to know my opinion. 

This evening I didn't want to be at bible study.  I didn't want to be around people who want to criticize and complain about Muslims, about the protesting African Americans, about political points of view.  I didn't want to hear the snide remarks that people let escape their mouths about someone who isn't around to defend themselves.  I didn't want to listen to hate talk.  Listening to news reports and then hearing how much hate those reports rile up put a knot in my stomach. 
I don't like being around people who smile at your face and talk hateful about you when you aren't around.  I didn't want to be around hypocrites, people who will say nice things to my face, but when I'm not around, listen to mean things being said about me by someone else, especially when they know that those mean things aren't true.  And I didn't want to be that kind of hypocrite that listens to mean or untrue things being said about someone who isn't present and keep my mouth shut for fear that I might lose a friend for not agreeing with them.  That has happened and I've really had enough of it.  I didn't feel like putting myself in that position on this particular night. I was not in a very good mood.
But I put all of those feelings aside and stayed at the bible study.  

One thing I loved about moving to a new place was meeting people and getting to know them, and have them get to know me.  There is genuine love among the congregation  of the church I attend.  I don't hear gossip or backstabbing or mean talk about anyone.  Oh, I know that everyone is not perfect and I know people talk about others to their individual friends, but that kind of behavior is not part of the culture in our church in general. In the community in general it is a different story, and I've experienced it first-hand.

Back to the bible study.  Rev.2: 8-11, reads (from the Revised Standard Version): "8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:  'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death.' "

Jesus is telling the church (the people) that they have suffered and will suffer, but that they are "rich" for it though it might not feel like that to them.  Satan is hate, hate in the hearts of men.  When you hate, you are allowing Satan in your life. And Satan is going to continually try to get you to hate because when you do, you are following him and not following Jesus, who taught that we, as Christians, should love EVERYONE.  He doesn't say that everyone has to LIKE every one else.  He doesn't say that we all have to agree on everything. In these verses of Revelation, the writer is conveying to the people the message of God:  telling the church/people of Smyrna to stay strong and resist the temptation of hate.  It is hard, but the reward will be eternal life with God. Galatians 6, verce 1 says "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted."

Throughout the Bible, Jesus says to love "your neighbor", and who is your neighbor? -- EVERYONE.  Love your enemy.  Love those who hurt you, love those who you don't agree with, love those who are outcasts or pariah to everyone else.  The message of Jesus is NOT to love only your friends, or the people who agree with your point of view, or those who worship the way you do.  Nor does Jesus say that "love" means agreeing with someone else's point of view or how they worship, or liking how they live or worship.  These verses say to me that our "tribulations" come from our refusal to accept and love those who are different from us. Love doesn't mean hugging someone or calling them a friend, but it does mean accepting them, and praying for their salvation as you pray for your own salvation. This letter tells us to love EVERYONE. 

This was a very powerful message to me.  Today there is a lot of hate in the world, some for petty reasons and some for serious reasons.  This passage tells me to put that hate aside and let God be in control, in my own life and in the life of others.  

This is a hard lesson to abide by.  It is difficult not to harden my heart in the face of so much hatred.  But Jesus says I must.  I have to remember this lesson every day as I walk down the street and come into contact with people who hate me, people who are jealous, people who want recognition and will do and say anything to get it, even at my expense. People who don't want to acknowledge that their hate hurts not only the people they hate but themselves also. I have to continually remind myself that I am not that kind of person.  I don't want to fall into the trap of treating people badly because they treat me badly. Staying on the right path in life takes a lot of mental reminders, a lot of prayer.