Today’s passage: Revelation 2:8-11
Helpful thoughts:
- The church in Smyrna receives no rebuke from Jesus, but they do receive what we might consider to be a challenging instruction.
- The Christians in Smyrna may have been poor in the world’s eyes, but they were rich in the Lord’s eyes (The opposite will be true for those in Laodicea – 3:17).
- These believers were going to suffer, even to death. But Christ gives them promises concerning their suffering:
- It would be brief.
- Faithfulness was possible.
- Reward was certain.
- Life with Christ is eternal.
- They would never be hurt by death again.
Questions to consider:
- To a church already under persecution who would also see martyrdom in their future, how does Jesus describe Himself in verse 8? How does the resurrection of Jesus give hope even in death to Christians who suffer?
- How is it possible to be rich when you are financially poor? How does God measure blessing? What is the definition or measure of a “good life” for the Christian? How would this measurement help us also to better discern what a “good day” really is?
- What did Jesus death and resurrection have to do with His ability to promise that His own would never be hurt by the second death (Eternal judgment, separation from God)? Why can Jesus make that promise?