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.
When people read the Bible, they may be surprised to find shocking stories of wickedness mixed with stories of great faith, sometimes in the...
In this thank you letter to the Philippians, Paul teaches us about giving for missionary work.
Two parables directed against the religious leaders indicated why they would lose their management of the kingdom, and why others would take their place.