Revelation is a book that has always captured my attention since I first discovered its existence. Written by John during his exile to the Isle of Patmos, it outlines the final events of earth and the beginning of Jesus’ triumphant reign over the new Heaven. I know that this book is a dense, deep description of the end times full of metaphors. However, reading the book in its entirety truly shows me how truly powerful the message of Revelation truly is. I remember reading the majority of Revelation during my sophomore year of high school. While my home church does take this apocalyptic book quite seriously, they view it less as impending doom and more of a rally call, an encouragement to spread the Good News of Christ to the world, before it …show more content…
While I recalled the descriptions and focus on the apocalypse and Christ’s ultimate victory with the descending of the New Heaven, I honestly forgot that the book served as a letter to the seven churches. This added a personal layer to the complex enigma that is Revelation; it is not only written as a warning and sign to all believers, but also as a personal notation to the seven churches. On the same note, it interested me that the church of Smyrna was the only church with which Christ seemed to find no fault. Their section reads, “These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Rev. 2:8-10). In all of the other sections, while Christ offers the churches praise, He normally also proclaims, “but I have this against you” or along those lines. Yet, Smyrna was proclaimed, seemingly, as blameless, despite their