Fri.’s Devo - Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum

Read: Amos 1:1-3:15; Revelation 2:1-17; Psalm 129:1-8: Proverbs 29:19-20 Amos means “burdensome” because he was carrying God’s burden of His people. He was given this prophecy two years before the earthquake of Uzziah’s reign. It is mentioned in Zechariah 14:5. At the same time Uzziah was struck with leprosy for usurping the priest’s duties. God passes out judgement on six of Israel’s enemies which they would agree with but then he ends it with the judgment of Judah and Israel’s sins. He begins with Damascus, the capital of Syria. Gaza was second, then Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Tyre, Judah and Israel. They would all be destroyed by God’s refining fire. God had more to say about the sins of his people than their enemies. They made their righteous ones to sin and told their prophets to be quiet. Their elite would be brought down with their idols. In Revelation we read the letters to the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna and Peramum. Ephesus was commended for her hard work and patient endurance but rebuke for turning from their first love of Christ. They were promised fruit from the tree of life to those who were victorious. Smyrna was commanded for their suffering and poverty. They were promised a crown of life for their faithfulness. Pergamum was commended for standing for the truth in the midst of paganism. They were rebuked for tolerating wrong teaching about sin in their congregation. The victorious were promised manna from heaven and a white stone with their name engraved on it. Lord, thank you that you rebuke and you encourage. Your judgements are right and fair. May we be faithful in persecution and suffering.