DEAR CHURCH: Faithful Under Fire (Rev 2:8-11)

SCRIPTURES

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ (Rev 2:8-11)

• The Unveiling of
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• When life becomes difficult, what are you most tempted to assume about God, yourself, or your circumstances? How does the church in Smyrna challenge the idea that hardship is always evidence that something has gone wrong?

• Jesus does not explain why Smyrna is suffering. Instead, he reminds them who he is: “the first and the last, who died and came to life.” Why might a clearer vision of Jesus be more important in suffering than a complete explanation of suffering?

• Smyrna is materially poor, yet Jesus says, “you are rich.” What does this reveal about the difference between the way our culture measures a successful life and the way Jesus measures one? Where are you personally most tempted to confuse blessing with comfort, wealth, influence, or ease?

• Jesus tells the church, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer… Be faithful unto death.” How does belief in the resurrection change the way a Christian should think about fear, loss, risk, and even death? What becomes possible when survival is no longer the highest good?

• What could be taken from you that would most tempt you to stop trusting Jesus, health, wealth, reputation, relationships, security, control, or something else? What would it look like for you to see Jesus so clearly that even losing that thing could not take your faithfulness with it?

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