The book of Revelation is a book about suffering. It is a handbook on how to handle the burden that crushes. It is an assurance that no suffering or sorrow stands in your future or mine that is a mystery to the Lord Jesus. Some of you are suffering now, and Jesus knows. Some of you have suffering in your future and Jesus knows. Suffering is just as inevitable for you as it was for these believers. You may not suffer for your faith—but you will suffer. It may involve sickness, or tragedy, or some severe trial. Suffering is an inevitable part of life. Suffering of some sort is in your future. You won’t go around the waters of suffering. You have to go through.You are not exempt from the rivers of sorrow. You have to go through. You will not escape the fires of trial. You have to go through. But our Lord does promise: When you pass through… I will be with you.