FBC Daily Devotions

We are more likely to persevere in the faith through suffering than through prosperity. At least that seems to be true of the church at Smyrna who is the only church to not receive criticism or a warning from God. As we look more closely at this message to the church at Smyrna, take a minute and read the full message in Revelation 2:8-11.

What do we know about the church at Smyrna? The city was located about thirty-five miles north of Ephesus in what is today the region of Izmir in Turkey. Of the seven cities in this revelation, Smyrna was the most splendid, the pride of Asia. She was the wealthiest of the cities, and like Ephesus was a seaport town. Unlike Ephesus, however, which lies in deserted ruins, Smyrna is still a flourishing seaport today despite a history of siege and numerous changes in rule. In terms of early Christianity, Smyrna was reported to be one of only two cities (the other being Rome) to have direct lineage to the Apostles[1]. Not that this is important to us today, but it is worth noting that the church at Smyrna was held in very high esteem in the first and second centuries.

Jesus begins His message to the church with words of encouragement – which they were going to need based on Jesus’ forthcoming words. He tells them He is the first and the last – perhaps a reminder of His eternality, that nothing began without His presence and knowledge and nothing will finish without it either. Nothing they’ve experienced, nothing they are experiencing, and nothing they will experience is without the presence and knowledge of God. He goes before them as the First, and He follows behind as the Last. He describes Himself as having died but raised to life. Despite the suffering He endured, He conquered death. What more could He be for us – the One who is always present and the One who conquered the worst of humanity? Each of us will face certain difficulty ahead in life. It gives us hope to know that the One who is always with us knows what lies ahead and assures that we will one day be raised to life with Him. If we are to suffer in this life, it is encouraging to know that we are hardly alone in it. Remember that the next time you face hardship.