“Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer.” - Revelation 2:10)   Jesus never promised that following Him would make life easier. In fact, He explicitly warned of the opposite. In John 16:33, He said, “You will have suffering in this world.” This is a reality that the early Christians in Smyrna knew all too well. They were persecuted, beaten, and under immense pressure. Jesus acknowledged th...  Read More

“I know your affliction and poverty—yet you are rich.” Revelation 2:9   In the city of Smyrna, the early Christians faced unimaginable challenges. They were afflicted, enduring persecution and slander. They lived in poverty, often unsure of where their next meal would come from. Yet, Jesus looked upon them and declared, “You are rich because of your faith in me.” It’s a paradox that challenges our...  Read More

“I know your affliction and poverty—yet you are rich!” - Revelation 2:9   Following Jesus isn’t always easy—it comes with pressures to conform, compromise, and even abandon our faith. The early Christians in Smyrna faced intense opposition. They were pressured to renounce their beliefs, conform to the world’s standards, and return to their old way of life. Yet, amidst these challenges, Jesus reass...  Read More

“I know your affliction and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” - Revelation 2:9   Have you ever faced hardship because of your faith in Jesus? For many of us, it might mean being mocked, called names, or excluded from social circles. These challenges can sting, but they pale in comparison to the sufferi...  Read More

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” - Revelation 2:11   In today’s church environment, it’s easy to get caught up in programs, traditions, and meetings—important elements in their own right, but not substitutes for the transformative power of God. Jesus’s message to the persecuted church in Smyrna reminds us of what truly matters: the power of God at w...  Read More

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” - Revelation 2:10   Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John, stood as a shining example of unwavering faithfulness to Christ amidst severe persecution. His story echoes through history, challenging believers to consider their own commitment to Jesus in the face of adversity. Sentenced to death for refusing...  Read More

“I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victo...  Read More

“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” - Revelation 2:5   Having remembered the times when we were closest to God and repented of the ways we’ve drifted, the next step is to return to Him wholeheartedly. This process of remembering, repenting, and returning is not just a spiritual exercise but a pathway to experiencing the abundant life God desires for us. R...  Read More

“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” - Revelation 2:5   After reflecting on the times when we were closest to God, we often realize that something changed along the way. It wasn’t God who moved; it was us. Sin entered our lives, whether through deliberate actions, neglect, or distractions, and our relationship with God began to suffer. The passion and inti...  Read More

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” - Revelation 2:4   Jesus’ message to the church at Ephesus is an important reminder of the importance of remembering our first love. When we first encountered God’s love, it transformed us. There was a time when our hearts burned with passion for Jesus, and His presence was the center of our lives.  Think back to those ear...  Read More

“But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.” - Revelation 2:4   We have spent the last few days discussing the church in Ephesus, a church that was once devoted to love. John, the ‘beloved disciple,’ was their pastor. Thirty years before John wrote his Revelation on the island of Patmos, Paul commended this church in his letter to the Ephesians, saying he had heard ...  Read More

“But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.” - Revelation 2:4   Do you remember what it was like when you first fell in love? The fire, the passion, those sleepless nights talking on the phone until dawn. “I’m not going to hang up… you hang up.” You were giddy, consumed by their beauty and charm, and couldn’t wait to see them again. Just thinking about that person d...  Read More