A study of the Book of Revelation < The persecuted Church> #5
Rev. 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; [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. [11] 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.
Historical Perspective: Smyrna is the church that suffered martyrdom for the testimony of Jesus Christ and is still in existence today as modern day IZMIR in the nation of Turkey. I find it interesting that there are two churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, in Revelation 2 and 3 that received no condemnation from the Lord Jesus Christ and these are the only churches from Revelation still in existence today. While Christians are still persecuted today in modern Turkey, there remains a church in hiding among them.
Smyrna means bitter and it received it’s name from myrrh. There was a vanity or pride among the people with everyone trying to climb the social ladder one step higher than his neighbor. Keeping up with and passing the "Jones’" was the highest priority in the city and the highest seat, the one with the most recognition was the winner. Today Americans believe the same thing that somehow the man who dies with the most toys is the winner but the reality is the man who dies with the most toys, STILL DIES! Are they ready for the moment after their eyes close in death without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
· Want to lay a background for how strong the human will of survival is but I want to use an illustration from an incident that happened in the last few months. I’m sure that if we looked into other areas of study that we could find many examples of the overwhelming desire to live but this story meets our needs today.
· In the September 17, 2002 issue of the Meridian Star there is a story of a 48 year old grocery store worker who went to sea to make some extra money. Alvin Latham was put on trial for beating to death Raymond "Tinky" Leiker on a shrimp boat in Breton Sound just off the shore of Venice Louisiana. The shrimp boat began to sink and a struggle began over the only life jacket on the boat with Latham finally killing Leiker for it.
· As sad as that story may seem, what would you do or say or bow to in order to save your life? The church at Smyrna suffered poverty, ridicule, bitter affliction and even death for the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. I wonder if you would do the likewise?
Smyrna is a picture of what a true church of Christ Jesus should be: A DYNAMIC WITNESS through all circumstances, temptations and trials. It is a picture of a church that loves Jesus enough to stand up for him even when the community attacks it’s witness.
A. Every year there were many festivals and times to honor the idol gods in the city but the true Christian couldn’t participate in something like that so his social life was severed. ( Example would be Mardi Gras )
B. Because he was marked, he usually lost his job and all of his possessions were seized as well as putting his life in danger when he refused to say that ‘Ceasar was Lord’ as part of his civic duty every year as prescribed by the Romans.
Part One: VERSE 8, Rev. 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
(1) The letter to the church at Smyrna is addressed to the
A. Sheep have to be led by their shepherd, not driven like a bunch of cows
B. Encompasses a lot more than just finding somebody to fill a position…
(2) Now note that Jesus says he is the first and the last who was dead but is now alive forevermore! This means that Christ is in control and the SUPREME AUTHORITY over all life, not the people who try to assume authority that doesn’t belong to them. One example of that in the modern church are people who withhold their tithe in attempts to control the business of the church or who break fellowship until things change to their liking in the church. * Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
A. One day these people will face the judgment of God for every idle word and every act to usurp authority relegated to Jesus alone
B. Promise is for the true believer that Jesus is always with us…Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
C. Falsehood taught by many preachers that Jesus went into hell and was tormented in the fires of hell to purchase our salvation subject to the authority of Satan to do penance for our sins.
(I) Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
(II) Luke 23:46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
(III) John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
(IV) Hebrews 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; [15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Part Two: Taking God’s name in vain implies a lot more than just cursing, Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. We believe that this simply means cussing but there are many people who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus who are just as guilty or maybe even more guilty of breaking this commandment by the lives they lead while claiming to be CHRISTIANS!
A. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
B. Can’t think of anything sadder than to die expecting to go to heaven but open my eyes in hell! Jesus is talking of Jews who say they are of the house of God but in reality are of the house of Satan. We don’t hear much anymore about how a soul is truly saved from hell but anything that isn’t founded in the truth of the Word of God, is a lie. WHAT WOULD THE CHURCH HAVE SAID ABOUT JUDAS ISCARIOT?
(Evangelist Randall Creel Message)
They would have said he had a time when he made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ but we know that he never POSSESSED salvation. They would have said he had a time in his life when he was set aside for the Gospel Ministry by none other than the Lord Jesus Christ himself (His ordination certificate would have been signed by Jesus of Nazareth) but we know that he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing and is tormented in the fires of hell as we speak. They would have said he has power to cast out demons and to heal people by praying for them but the reality is they would have been misled by the miracles he could perform because in the depths of his heart and soul he had never met Jesus in a real and personal way.
(1) This church is commended for four things:
(A) Tribulation: The word means in the Greek the pressure of crushing affliction and indicates trials and persecution that was of the most severe imaginable but they were holding up. Isn’t that sad when we won’t stand up for Jesus because "they" might not like us anymore or "they" might talk about us or "I" might not be as popular or you just don’t understand Brother Mike, you don’t know what it’s like at my job or in my school or in my home or wherever. THE CHURCH IS TO BE FAITHFUL DESPITE RIDICULE, MOCKERY, ABUSE, CURSING, LOSS OF PROPERTY, IMPRISONMENT AND EVEN DEATH! Black man who slipped into a "white" church a few years ago and was kicked out by the people. When he was praying later, he talked to the Lord about it and the Lord said,"You did better than I did son, I’ve been trying to get in that church for years!" John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
(B) Bore up under poverty: The idea is of having nothing and of being destitute and beggarly. Many were forced out of their jobs and had property confiscated because of their loyalty to Christ.
(C) Spiritually Wealthy: Inwardly they were rich toward the Lord and his mission by loving Him and one another and even those who opposed and persecuted them. Lot of people who say they can love their enemies until they find out who they are! Because of this they were filled with all the fullness of God’s presence and grace. Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
(D) Bore up under all kinds of slander: NOTE THAT THE SLANDER CAME FROM THE JEWS OF THE CITY
The call to this faithful church is to remain faithful because even more persecution is coming to draw them closer and closer to God. They will learn even more about Him and their faith will be strengthened so they can be even stronger witnesses.
(a) Matthew 10:30-31 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
(b) Philip. 1:28-29 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. [29] For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
(c) Deut. 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Want to close by bringing to remembrance the story of the man who killed another man over a life jacket because his ship was sinking and death was staring him in the face. What are you trusting in the moment after your eyes close in death? Is it in a church record? Baptism certificate? What other people might say about you? What the church might even testify to?
Beloved there is no other name in heaven or earth by which a man may be saved than through Jesus! No man comes to the Father but through me!
