Title: Suffering for the Cause of Christ
Theme: We will suffer but Christ has His rewards
Text: Rev 2:8-11
I told you last Wednesday night in relation to the seven churches we see two churches that Christ had nothing to say bad about them. These churches are Smyrna and Philadelphia. Tonight we will be talking about the church of Smyrna These are known as the martyred churches. also I want you to note that these are also the only churches that are in existence today. They may not totally Christians but they were obedient.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Tonight we will be looking at the church of Smyrna. if you were to look at you would not actually see this name in existence but it comes under its Turkish name which is Izmir. Smyrna in church history is known for its martyrdom. It is known as being persecuted. One of the most famous Christians not mentioned in the Bible known as Polycarp was martyred and burned alive in the stadium around 155 AD. Polycarp was a student of John
Smyrna as far as history of the church is concerned represents AD 100 to AD 31 4' Remember we said that the church of Ephesus was the apostolic age and we say that Smyrna is the age of martyred church.
Revelation 2:8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
Jesus is described in two ways in this passage
These things saith the first and the last,
Why is this important to the martyred church? Why is this important to the martyred Christian? This says that Christ is in the beginning and the end. There is no one that is before him or is after him. It gives the idea that God is in control No matter what we go through Christ is in control. He knows what is going to happen.
The Smyrna church was not only persecuted by other people but also by the economic poverty. It is one thing to be persecuted by others but by you economic status it hurts. It seems you have no control. But Christ tells them that is in control and most of a{I he decides the outcome.
which was dead. and is alive;
Again why is the phrase important to the martyred church? Why is it important to the martyred Christian? Christ conquered death. It is believed that over 5 million Christians died for the name of Christ during this age. Picture 5 million Christians who would not denounce the name of Christ. Why? because they knew who he was and what he did. They knew of the promise of eternal life that was spoken by Him and they knew it was true because he overcame death. We have that hope and that joy and that peace to know that we will over come it all
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
1. Works
Tribulations-sufferings and troubles, persecutions for the name of Christ
¶ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. (Psalms 119:67 AV)
2. Poverty- lack of material possessions, the church was mainly made up of the poor. When the wealthy became Christians their property was confiscated.
but thou. art rich-truly even though they had not attained a lot of material possessions they are rich in Christ. Look at the contrast between this church and the church of Laodicea.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17 AV)
¶ We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (2 Corinthians 6:1 AV)
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9 AV)
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 AV)
4. The blasphemy(talk against God) of them which say they are Jews . . . but are the synagogue of Satan
These are those who called themselves Jews yet forsaked the Jewish religion. It would seem at least from the scripture standpoint and from the strictest of sense that unless they serve Jehovah and the one he sent then how can they call them selves Jew-s or even Israelites Gods chosen people. They are actually of the Synagogue. under the deception of; Satan. if you are not of God then you are of Satan.
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: (Romans 2:28 AV)
5. The devil (Satan) shall cast some of you into prison-Satan is allowed to persecute people. He is allowed by God to walk this earth but one day. One day. The Smyrna church was being persecuted and thrown in prison by thee work of Satan.
6. Ye shall have tribulation ten days
Ten intense periods of persecution.
1 Nero-64-68 (Paul was beheaded during his reign)
2. Domitian-95-96 (John was exiled during this period)
3. Trajan-104-l 17 (Ignatius was burned at the stake
4. Marcus Aurelius -161-180 (Polycarp was martyred)
5. Severus O2OO-211
6. Maximinius-235-237
7. Decius-250-253
8. Valerian-257-260
9. Aurelian-270-275
10. Diocletian-303-313 (the worst emperor of all)
Be thou faithful unto death-till the end to be faithful. Committed and dedicated to the cause of Christ.
reward is a crown of life 5 Crowns Here-Crown of life
1. Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 AV)
2. Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 AV)
3. Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8 AV)
4. Crown of Life (Revelation 2:10,James 1:12 AV)
5. Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4 AV)
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11 AV)
what is the spirit speaking to us to hear? Are we listening?
He that overcometh - I will that be?
Second death-DL Moody once said, "He who is born once will die twice; he who is born twice will die once." And just think if the rapture comes during our life time we won’t have to die the first time. What is this death? Mainly a separation from God. This is death.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3 AV)
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6 AV)
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14 AV)
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8 AV)
