The book of revelation is the pulling back of the curtain so that we can see what the future of God's people will be. This revelation is our glorious hope as we look to Jesus in these days of tribulation and know for sure he is coming back to take us home.

In chapter 2 we are introduced to the seven churches spoken of in chapter 1. Beginning with Ephesus and Smyrna we see examples of the enduring call to faithfulness in Christ. The church in Ephesus was commended for its orthodoxy of the truth of the gospel, but was challenged by its coldness as it turned away from its first love. If it didn't return to Christ then he would come and take the lampstand away, leaving it without any hope or proclamation of the gospel.

In Smyrna, only one of two churches not to be rebuked, the news was hard for them as Jesus tells them they would continue in their tribulation. This would be for a period of time known to God and this was of great comfort. To endure the tribulation would mean that they would receive the crown of life in eternity.

The message to these two churches is one of staying faithful to the end. To do so means an eternity of great joy and security, where the fruit of the tree of life would be theirs and the freedom in Christ to escape the second death-the punishment received by those who reject Jesus.

Glorious Hope is a podcast teaching series from Annalong Presbyterian Church. You can find out more at www.annalongpc.org/sermons.

Get your copy of the ESV Scripture Journal (Revelation) wherever you get your Christian books to help your own study in this series.

A video of this podcast is available at https://youtu.be/TifLOSZSDvA.