SEVEN WORDS TO THE CHURCH TODAY
(Remain Faithful - August 13, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "God has already revealed His intentions for the end of human history"
Sermon Big Idea: “Believers who may die for Christ can rejoice because they will be resurrected to a better life“
Key Scripture (Revelation 2:8-11)
Today we look at the second of seven letters of Jesus to the churches in the Book of Revelation. It is the letter to the church of Smyrna. Many have often labeled this as the persecuted church. The city around them was considered wealthy, but the church was viewed as poor monetarily. This ancient city (now Izmir, Turkey) was Asia Minor's most attractive and was a scientific and medical hub. It also had a powerful emperor-worship cult because of its passionate attachment to Rome. Smyrna church leader Polycarp was burnt alive at 86 for refusing to worship Caesar 50 years after John's death.
(Revelation 2:8-11)
Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says: 9 I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.
This church was heavily persecuted for the name of Christ. There were an estimated five million Christians killed around the known world by the Roman government. That is unfathomable. The world didn’t reach 1 billion people on the planet until the 1970s. This means that this stretch in church history is the bloodiest of all time. It is hard to wrap one’s mind around something so vial. Jesus said in His words to the church at Smyrna, “I am aware of your suffering.” In other words, I see your affliction.
Financially this church was poor also. Jews who lived there were exempted from economic prejudice from the Roman government, but Christians had no such luxury. It is true that Rome alienated the Christians, but it was the Jews who applied the most pressure in making it almost impossible to survive economically. Christians weren’t known for having thriving businesses. Again, Jesus said, “I know your poverty.” Sure, the onlooking world would have labeled them flat broke but in the economy of God, they were rich. Believers become spiritually rich through the sacrifice and impoverishment of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8). They are rich in salvation, forgiveness, joy, peace, glory, honor, and majesty (1 Corinthians 1:4-5; 3:22; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3-4). They are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
This church was afflicted. “Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days.” The 10 days refer to a “short time.” Satan is the enemy of the Church (Ephesians 6:12). He attacks the person of Christ and His salvation by grace through faith. He has his own bible, ministries, ministers, theology, and spirit. His prime attack is to sprinkle just enough heresy around to cause many to miss heaven. But Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid.” “Trust Me.” Yes, they would have to suffer for Christ, but He had a greater purpose for their suffering (1 Peter 4:12-13). A Christian who is persecuted for righteousness in this life will have overflowing joy in the future because of his reward. Such an awareness of future joy enables him also to “rejoice” (v. 13) at the present time.
Conclusion:
To the world, this church looked like a bunch of losers. No one would have wanted to associate with them. But they were one of only two churches Jesus didn’t have one word of condemnation. Would you have wanted to be a part of this church? It seems when choosing a church people often look at things like budgets, programs, buildings, and other things. How many people would sign up to be a part of a church that had none of that?
Jesus has already won the victory! He did that on the cross and by raising from the dead. So, as Christians, we don’t fight for victory, we fight from victory. Victory in Jesus!! Jesus said, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” “He who has an ear, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
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Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
Phillips, John. Exploring Revelation: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel; WORDsearch Corp., 2009.
Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009.
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Osborne, Grant R., and M. Robert Mulholland Jr. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: James, 1–2 Peter, Jude, Revelation. Edited by Philip W. Comfort. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2011.
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MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.
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Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999.
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Easley, Kendell H. Revelation. Vol. 12. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.
Duvall, J. Scott. Revelation. Edited by Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Teach the Text Commentary Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014.
Keener, Craig S. Revelation. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999.
Barclay, William. Revelation of John. Vol. 2. The New Daily Study Bible. Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987.
Willmington, H. L. Willmington’s Bible Handbook. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1997.
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