Smyrna the Obedient Church (Rev. 2:8)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR

02/16/2005

 

My Worship Time                 Focus:  Smyrna the obedient church

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                        Reference:  Revelations 2:8

 

            Message of the verse:  8 ¶ “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:  (NAS95) 8 ¶ “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who died and is alive:  (NLT)

            The introduction to this letter was taken out of Revelations 1:17 & 18: When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

            As stated in an earlier SD the description of Christ is taken from what was said to describe Him in the first chapter of Revelations. The church at Smyrna was being persecuted and thus the description of Christ as the One who is the first and the last and a the One who was dead, but is now alive.  This would have great meaning for these persecuted believers who could take comfort that Christ was in control of their lives and even if they had to give up their lives for the cause of Christ they too, would be alive again, as Christ was. 

            Unlike Ephesus, Smyrna is still around today, and it is now called Izmir.  Jesus had told those in Ephesus that they would loose their lampstand if they did not repent, and history seems to tell us that they did not.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Dr. Wiersbe writes that no matter what a believer is going through the Lord Jesus Christ can identify with him, and that is what I take away for the lesson from this verse today.

 

The Word of God has been refreshment for my soul as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to latch onto this truth that Christ can identify with all of the problems that I am going through at this time in my life.