We continued in our sermon series last Sunday looking through Revelation 2:1-11. We looked at the first two letters written to the churches in Ephesus and Smyrna. Here we see Jesus speaking to His church as One who knows the external sufferings His people will face and the internal sins His people need to repent of. We also see the individualized introductions of these letters further emphasizing how Jesus knows the specific needs of His church. His promises and warnings both encourage and challenge His church to be strengthened in love and lasting faithfulness. Having been loved and saved by God, we may have begun the Christian life well; but too often we find ourselves abandoning good works and failing to love others as we should. Let us repent and turn back to Christ - remembering to love as He first loved us. Jesus’ word also grants us comfort in current tribulations and prepares us for suffering. We need not fear persecution or death; let us remain faithful to the end, for the eternal God who raised Christ from the dead will give us certainty of life in His presence.
