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 Paul waited in prison, he was able to rejoice in two certain outcomes because of his view of life and death.
Because God's power is greater than ours, we ought to obey God, knowing that the joy he gives is greater than suffering humans can...
From the six hours Jesus hung on the cross, we have seven brief sayings recorded in the gospels, each of which explains important aspects...
