Devotional 11 January 2025
Revelation 2:9-11 ESV “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.”
The words of Jesus to the church in Smyrna reveals what to us may be a difficult truth: God’s plan for our lives often includes suffering. To the believers in Smyrna, Christ acknowledges their tribulation, poverty, and the slander they face. Yet, He declares that despite their external struggles, they are spiritually rich.
Jesus does not minimize their pain but offers a perspective rooted in eternal realities. He acknowledges the trials they will endure but also emphasizes His sovereignty. Suffering, while painful, is not purposeless. (Romans 8:28) God uses our suffering as part of His redemptive plan, shaping our character (James 1:2-4) and drawing us closer to Him.
The call to faithfulness amid suffering is clear. Christ urges the believers not to fear but to remain faithful, even to the point of death. (Matthew 10:28) Our trials are temporary, but the promise of eternal life far outweighs our present struggles (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Ultimately, Jesus assures the overcomers that they will receive the crown of life and will not be harmed by the second death. This crown represents eternal life, the reward for those who endure in faith (James 1:12). The second death, described later in Revelation (Revelation 20:14), signifies eternal separation from God, which believers will never face.
Take heart today. God knows your suffering. He is not absent but present, refining your faith and drawing you closer to Himself. Stand firm, trust His purposes, and remember that He is working all things for your ultimate good and His eternal glory.
-steve