Revelation 2:8-11
The
Text
Rev 2:8 "And
to the angel of the church in
Rev 2:9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10 "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 2:11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." '
Pray
Intro
√ The church in Smyrna or as some of your Bibles may say…
"the persecuted church"
As we continue our study of this small church which faced such intense persecution, remember that each letter follows a general format that will help us to understand the message.
Last week we looked at Jesus'…
Greeting
Description
Commendation
This morning we'll look at Jesus'…
Exhortation (correction)
Instruction
Invitation & Promise
Exhortation, correction & warning
√ Exhortation, correction & warning
The amazing thing about this church is that Jesus can't find anything to correct!
That is, He can find nothing lacking in their love for Him, or in the practice of their faith.
Not a word of correction or rebuke!
Why might that be? I'd suggest that the church persecuted is a church that is refined. That is, you won't find nominal Christians in a church like Smyrna where to identify with Jesus could cost you your life!
Ex. Christians in the USA vs. China
We live in a country where it’s easy to say…
“I’m a Christian"
No fear of persecution, loss of job, or prison. The cost to follow Christ is relatively low - the worse that we experience is the disdain of the liberal media and the ridicule of the militant left.
However, as I mentioned last week, millions of our brothers and sisters do live where the cost to follow Jesus is high.
Denied employment
No political power
Arrest and "reprogramming"
Beatings
Mocking
Abduction and slavery
Death
So, in a community like Laodicea where it was easy to call oneself a "Christian" because there wasn't any persecution…
…there were lots of problems in the church because many in the church were simply not committed Christians!
On the other hand, in a community like Smyrna where the cost to be a Christian was high and the persecution great…
…the only folks in church were the real deal!
Ap. Doesn't have to be that way!
We don't have to be persecuted to have a real and productive Christian life! If we will stay close to the Lord and chose to make Him the priority of our life…
…then we can have the same zeal for Jesus that the Christians in Smyrna had, and receive the same commendation from Him!
√ What can we do for those who do suffer?
That's the question every concerned Christian has…
"what can we do for those who are persecuted?"
You know what our brothers and sisters say when they're asked that very question?
They ask us simply to pray for them!
Not for money
Not for a military strike
They ask us to pray that they might stand strong in the midst of their trials and be faithful to Jesus!
Ex. The church prayed for Peter (Acts 12:5)
Paul asked for prayer while in prison (Eph. 6:18-20)
That's because they recognize that the most powerful weapon we have here in the USA is not our…
Fantastic wealth
Awesome military power
…but the power of God which is released when we pray.
√ Secondly, we can lift our voice on their behalf to those who do have power to cry out for help.
Ex. Esther
She was given a unique place by which she could influence the heart of the king on behalf of her people.
Like Esther we occupy a unique place in our world.
We live in the...
Most powerful nation on the planet
Wealthiest nation in human history
Most influential nation of earth
We are truly blessed of God.
The question for us at this time I believe is the same as that which was posed to Queen Esther.
“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Remember, you and I didn’t have anything to do with “where” we were born.
God did that. And I can’t believe that we were placed here simply to reap the benefits of this nation while ignoring the plight of the rest of the Church who were born in places where the cost is high to be a Christian.
So, we have a unique opportunity to use the many blessings we've been given here in the USA to encourage and assist those who suffer for their faith around the world.
Ap. We can intercede for others as Esther did - see handout
Instruction (vs. 10a)
Rev 2:10a "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days…
√ Instruction
In light of the difficult trials which this church was experiencing (abject poverty and great pressure) one would think that Jesus would offer them comfort by the promise of rescue from the trials.
But He doesn’t. Instead He tells them that the trials are going to get worse!
Prison
Death
Tribulation for 10 days
Note: not a literal 10 days, rather symbolic - some have suggested…
Speaking of a limited time
10 official persecutions under Roman rule
The entire period of Church persecution
…as such, the church of Smyrna symbolizes the Christian Church from the 1st Century to the 4th, which suffered great persecution but were pure in their faith and maintained a faithful witness for Jesus.
√ Why doesn't Jesus stop the trials?
We're not told!
In fact, we might ask…
"Why does God allow suffering at all; especially why does He allow the godly to suffer?"
I can understand the ungodly suffering, but what about those like Smyrna - why does God allow them to suffer?
Or…
"Why do bad things happen to good people?"
The best answer I can give is because it’s the only way in which God can accomplish His work in and through our lives.
Ex. The Cross - the only way to save us required Jesus to suffer.
In the same way God allows difficult times into our lives to make us “unshakable” in our faith.
Ap. Trials and persecution
It accomplishes things in our lives we can’t learn by reading, or by hearing about other’s trials, it’s learned only by personal experience.
In trials we must walk by faith and believe that God knows what He’s doing and what’s best in our lives.
We may not always understand why we go through trials, but the Bible does reveal some of the purposes of trials which may be helpful to you.
Discipline (I Cor. 11:30-32)
Preventive (Paul’s thorn - II Cor. 12:7)
Teaching those things which can’t be learned any other way (Jesus our model - Heb. 5:8)
Better testimony for Christ (Paul - Acts 9:16)
Refining our faith (James 1:2-4)
While we may not be able to say for certain what purpose their trials would serve…
…I believe that the intensity of the trial was in part due to the fact that this group of believers were having an effective ministry right in the middle of Satan's territory!
"synagogue of Satan" - vs. 9
Recognize that Satan isn't going to give up without a fight!
√ Notice the instruction that Jesus offers to those facing trials...
1) "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.” - vs. 10
The reason that they were not to fear is that none of the trials could take away their priceless eternal blessings in Christ!
Eternal life
His presence
The honor, glory and splendor
Though Satan could afflict their bodies, and even their minds, he was powerless to touch their treasure in heaven.
2) “Be faithful until death” - vs. 10
That's a heavy thing to ask of someone. Yet, every one of us has someone that we would sacrifice our life for...
Child
Spouse
Friend
...how much more for the One who gave His life for us?
Ex. Polycarp
Not long after the book of Revelation was written Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, was arrested and tried for his faith in Christ. When the judges offered him life if he would recant his Christian faith he replied…
"Four score and six years have I served the Lord, and He never wronged me: How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?"
Polycarp knew that the promise of Jesus was good and that he could trust Jesus with his life.
For Jesus had already demonstrated that He had power over death - therefore, Polycarp was confident that there was nothing to fear.
So, we find from the testimony of history that the saints in Smyrna took the words of Jesus to heart and in them found the strength to persevere.
Next, we note the promise Jesus gives to those who heed His instruction…
Promise (vs. 10b-11)
Rev 2:10b "...Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 2:11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." '
√ The promise
Jesus gives two promises to those who remain faithful to Him…
The Crown of life
Victory over the Second Death
The Crown of life - the Bible speaks of many different crowns which will be given to those who serve God here on earth…
Crown of righteousness for a Godly life (II Tim. 4:8)
Crown of glory for faithful pastors (I Peter 5:4)
Crown of gold for all believers (Rev. 4:4)
Crown of rejoicing for converts won (I Theses. 2:19)
An incorruptible crown for self-control (I Cor. 9:25)
…and the Crown of Life which speaks of the eternal life promised to those who trust in Jesus.
The glories of life eternal stand in contrast to the trials of martyrdom and erase the dark shadows of persecution and death.
The Second death - speaks of eternal separation from God - the Lake of Fire where Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet and all who's names are not written in the Book of Life will spend eternity.
The Lord's promise to those who trust in Him is that the Second Death has no power over them!
One of life's ironic twists…
"If you're born once, you will die twice,
If you're born twice, you'll only die once!"
…but the choice to be born again - born a second time must be made on this side of eternity.
Ap. The Lord rewards those who are faithful!
When setting your priorities in life remember this…
…God rewards those who serve Him!
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
While I'm not sure what value each of the Crowns promised in scripture have…
…I am sure that whatever Jesus gives by way of reward for faithful service will be more awesome than we can imagine!
So, set your life to please Jesus!
Close
√ Suffering for Jesus
The comfort that Jesus offers the saints in Smyrna is that their suffering…
Would be short when compared to the eternal blessings waiting for them.
Would gain them a great reward that could never be taken from them.
…and that Jesus Himself would stand with them in their hour of trial.
The testimony of these believers is that light still burns brightly in Smyrna (Izmar)!
Ap. A time such as this
Let's take the opportunity before us and pray for, and intercede for, those who do suffer today for their faith in Jesus.