THE CHURCH THAT WOULD NOT SURRENDER
(Revelation 2:8-11) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 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. 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. 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. (KJV)
I. FAITHFULNESS IS WHAT GOD REQUIRES.
“Be thou faithful unto death.”
A. THE CIRCUNSTANCES THEY FACED
1. They faced poverty.
2. They faced persecution.
a. From heathen
b. From heretics
“I know the blasphemy of them which say they are
Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
B. THE CHALLENGE THEY RECEIVED.
“Be faithful.” Cp. II Timothy 4:7
1. We must be faithful to the fight.
2. We must be faithful to the faith.
3. We must be faithful to the finish.
II. FAITHFULNESS IS WHAT GOD REWARDS.
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of
life.”
A. THEY ARE FORWARNED.
“Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye
may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days.”
1. God knows when we have been persecuted.
2. God knows who our persecutors are.
B. THEY MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL.
1. Consider the first promise that was made to them.
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown
of life.”
2. Consider the final promise that was made to them.
“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second
death.”
