Although the church in Smyrna may not have looked like much on the surface, Jesus’ evaluation of it was wholly positive. He did not tone down his description of what the believers were about to suffer, but he pointed to the way to face all the challenges of life and death without fear and full of faith. Although we may never have to face what those early Christians faced, we all have to live, and we all have to die, so Jesus’ words to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11 are words for us today as well.
As God granted safety to all Paul's fellow passengers, so God grants eternal safety to all those who are connected to Jesus by faith.
While the people cynically questioned God’s justice and longed for his intervention, in Malachi 2:17-3:5, God told them he would be coming in judgment...
God's presence in the early church produced awesome acts of community giving and healing but also an awesome judgment against hypocrisy and deception.
