This post was last updated on July 17, 2026

Day 91 (Year 2)

Overcoming Satan’s Minions

Jesus said to the church of Smyrna, “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” (Revelation 2:9 NASB)

Those who claim to be descendants of Abraham and even claim to be Christians can also be used by Satan. Meanwhile, tribulation, poverty, and slander may be experiences of many believers. Yet in the midst of all these, being able to hold on to trust in Jesus can be described as rich in faith—able to overcome every difficulty, like in the church of Smyrna. Our outward misery counts for little, because God’s comment is far more precious. He calls us rich. In fact, those under Satan’s attack can choose to focus on the difficulties and feel self-pity, or to focus on God’s comment and stand firm in faith. Looking at different aspects of life generates different mindsets. When we see God as rich and able to help us overcome all tribulation, poverty, slander, etc., we will experience abundance in faith. After these hardships, we can become a source of help to others.

Whether in the healing of the woman oppressed by an evil spirit for eighteen years or in the encouragement given to the church in Smyrna in Revelation, they all received the Lord’s healing or encouragement. External oppression or unpredictable attacks can make believers feel nervous, on edge, anxious, and even filled with dread. But when we pour out our fears and anxieties before God and surrender the favorable or unfavorable outcomes ahead, we can have faith to overcome all fears through Him. We must cling tightly to God without fearing injury, suffering, or even death, but overcome fear in Him, hope for the salvation and abundance He bestows, and we will finally enter into His victory.

Satan’s attacks can come through evil spirits, people, and even those who claim to be God’s people. Today’s scripture clearly points out that those who claim to be Jews are in fact a synagogue of Satan. Thus, believers turning from Satan to God’s authority may need to counteract the attacks by those who falsely claim to be His people. To recognize Satan’s minions, we must go beyond surfaces, examine the discrepancies between what others claim and how they actually behave, seek God’s guidance, expose the enemy’s schemes, overcome Satan’s attacks, guard against treating enemies as allies, and beware of falling into deeper bondage, instead enjoying the abundance that belongs to God.

Reflection questions:

1) When in difficulty, do you choose to focus on the problems in your circumstances or on God’s comment about you? Why?

2) Do you find it easy to overcome all fears through the Lord Jesus? If not, how do you deal with those inner fears?