The challenges facing the ancient church of Smyrna are still with us today. There are two conflicting realities of the Christian life. Yet both are essential. The first represents the cross in suffering and indeed persecution (Mark 15:34 ). The second represents the other side of the cross, the victory revealed in the Resurrection (Col. 2:13-15). Christians are called to struggle in the world with trials that are both internal and external. Yet we are assured that in Christ we will conquer the world (John 16:33 ; I John 5:4).