In “Smyrna: The Suffering Church,” part of the Ancient Counsel for Contemporary Churches series, Revelation 2:8–11 reminds us that suffering is not evidence that God has forgotten or stopped caring. Jesus sees the hardship, opposition, and fear His people face, and He calls them to remain faithful through it. While some suffering may only be fully understood in light of eternity, Christ gives His church two lasting promises: earthly suffering will not last forever, and faithfulness to Him carries an eternal reward.