What we know about the church in Smyrna is only from this passage in Revelation 2. They were persecuted and Jesus tells them to expect more of it. Combining the historical information and Jesus’s message to them here, this sermon gives a spiritual lesson for us today about persecution when following God—and uses examples of persecution that Paul endured to draw lessons for how to deal when it happens. Series summary: A study of Jesus Christ’s messages to each of the seven churches of Revelation, specifically the messages intended for their original audience and how those apply to every Christian and church, anywhere, at any time.

Gary Petty

Beyond Today Presenter, United Church of God Pastor

Gary Petty is a 1978 graduate of Ambassador College with a BS in mass communications. He worked for six years in radio in Pennsylvania and Texas. He was ordained a minister in 1984 and has served congregations in Longview and Houston Texas; Rockford, Illinois; Janesville and Beloit, Wisconsin; and San Antonio, Austin and Waco, Texas. He presently pastors United Church of God congregations in Nashville, Murfreesboro and Jackson, Tennessee.