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.
In the encounter with Moses at the burning bush, God revealed himself and promised to show us more of who he is.
Even though his people grumbled and quarreled, the Lord satisfied their needs at his own expense.
Although faith in Christ has become more and more of an individual matter in the West, those who became Christians in the New Testament...
