Living in the Last Days (4)
Notes
Transcript
When You’re Suffering
When You’re Suffering
Revelation 2:8-11
Revelation 2:8-11
I. Intro
I. Intro
The seven churches in Revelation represent seven different kinds of churches that will exist until Jesus comes. They also represent seven kinds of Christians, one of which is much like you and I. Therefore, you need to find yourself in the seven churches. We are now going to look at the suffering church, Smyrna. As Christians, we all suffer from time to time. We should expect it because Peter said in 1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” The name “Smyrna” means ‘bitter’ and is related to the word ‘myrrh.’ The city remains a functioning community today called Izmir. The assembly at Smyrna was persecuted for the faith, which explains why the Lord emphasized His death and resurrection as He opened His message. No matter what experiences God’s people may have, their Lord identifies with them. Last week, we looked at the church in Ephesus, the church that had forsaken her first love. Now, our Lord has a message for the church at Smyrna. Smyrna was located about 40 miles north of Ephesus. In contrast to Ephesus, which today is nothing but ruins, Smyrna is the modern city of Izmir. It is a modern, beautiful, seaport city with a metropolitan population of over 3 million. Smyrna built a temple to Emperor Tiberius in 23 B.C. Later, under the cruel Emperor Domitian, emperor worship was required of all Roman citizens. Part of the required worship was once a year to say, ,”Caesar is Lord” while placing incense on an altar. Many Christians refused to say those words and would instead say, “Jesus is Lord,” which often resulted in torture and execution. “Jesus is Lord” is the first Christian confession. Therefore, the Christians in Smyrna were suffering horribly for their faith. We are living in a country that is quickly becoming like Smyrna. There is an overt, militant aggression against Bible-teaching churches. There is also a covert attack by some Hollywood filmmakers, who glorify profanity, immorality, and violence. This should not surprise us. Jesus tells us why in John 15:18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” No words of accusation are given to the congregation in Smyrna. They may not have enjoyed the approval of men, but they certainly received the praise of God. However, the Lord did give them solemn words of admonition as they faced increased suffering. “Don’t be afraid!” He assured them that He knew the devil’s plans and was in complete control. Three things to do when you are suffering:
II. Remember Jesus is Eternal
II. Remember Jesus is Eternal
Our Lord reminds the church at Smyrna that He is the first and the last. This is an OT title for God. Isaiah 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, And his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; And beside me there is no God.” Our Lord is saying He is eternal. He also identifies Himself as the One which was dead, and is alive. Our Lord transcends time, life, and death. Jesus is addressing Christians who are suffering so horribly they may have to die for their faith. He wants them to remember He is the resurrection and the life. Therefore, He makes a promise in John 11:25 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” Even if our suffering leads to death, the promise of Him which was dead, and is alive is we will live again with Him for eternity in Heaven. When it comes to suffering, life usually isn’t fair. That’s the reason there is a heaven and a hell. Because Jesus is the last, He will one day make things right and just. The ‘crown of life’ is the winner’s crown awarded at the annual athletic games. Smyrna was a key participant in the games, so this promise would be especially meaningful to believers living there. The Lord reinforced the promise given by James in James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” He assured His people that there was nothing to fear. Because they had trusted Him, they were overcomers-victors in the race of faith-and, as overcomers, they had nothing to fear. Even if they were martyred, they would be ushered into glory, wearing crowns! They would never face the awful judgment of the second death, which is the lake of fire. It costs to be a faithful Christian, in some places more than others. As end-times pressures increase, persecution will also increase; and God’s people need to be ready. The world may call us “poor Christians,” but in God’s sight, we are rich!
III. Realize Jesus knows and cares
III. Realize Jesus knows and cares
Jesus continues to say, ‘I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty.’ The word translated ‘tribulation’ (thylipsis) means severe suffering that brings anguish and distress. It is long term suffering that doesn’t go away in a few days or hours. The word translated ‘poverty’ (ptocheia) refers to extreme poverty, to the point of begging. Their poverty was probably the result of sanctions or persecution they faced in Smyrna. However, Jesus says in verse 9 ‘thou are rich.’ James explains this in James 2:5 “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” Jesus said He knows about a second thing. He knows the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. The Jewish synagogue in Smyrna was vicious in its blasphemy, or slander, of Smyrnan believers. Because the Jews in Smyrna were trying to destroy the church, they were a synagogue, or instrument of Satan. Jesus knows the believers at Smyrna are suffering all sorts of persecution-governmental, economical, physical, religious, and satanic. He knows every detail of it all. When you are suffering, listen with spiritual ears of faith and you will hear our Lord say, “I know.” He knows all about it because He knows everything, even to the point of having all the hairs of our heads numbered. Jesus knows, but there is something about our Lord’s knowledge of our suffering that is even more comforting. It is the fact that He understands all of our suffering. Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” The word translated ‘touched’ (sympatheo) means to feel sympathy, or be moved by our feelings. Jesus not only knows but cares more than we will ever understand on this earth. That’s why we are told to cast all of our cares upon Him-because He cares for us. One of the most difficult parts of suffering is feeling no one really cares how we really feel or hurt. There is no suffering we go through that Jesus doesn’t know about, and more importantly, care about. Remember the promise of Psalms 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” In the letters to the seven churches, after the commendation, there is usually a word of condemnation. However, there is no word of criticism for the suffering church of Smyrna. She’s not perfect, but there is no outstanding sin in this church. The only other church that has no word of criticism from our Lord is the church at Philadelphia. It is no accident these two churches have no rebuke from the Lord. It is because they are enduring severe persecution. There is truth in the old saying, “Persecution purifies the church!” Suffering can also be good for Christians. George Muller (1805-1898) was a famous English Christian who cared for over 10,000 orphans during his lifetime. He said, “Difficulties are food for faith to feed on.” Our Lord tells the believers at Smyrna ‘Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.’ This means more persecution is coming. Then our Lord says, “Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried.” This reveals the power behind the persecution is ultimately the devil. The spiritual battle in Smyrna is just one skirmish in the earthly war that will continue until Jesus returns. The phrase ten days probably refers to a limited time of suffering. Suffering will not last forever and must be kept in perspective. Therefore, remember the truth from Paul in Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
IV. Refocus on the eternal reward
IV. Refocus on the eternal reward
Our Lord continues, ‘be faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.’ Even if their persecutors put them to death, that will only result in them going to heaven and receiving the crown of life. The word translated ‘crown’ (stephanos) refers to a garland, or wreath of victory for an athlete or a victorious general. The crown of life is an eternal reward for those who faithfully endure severe suffering. We will be blessed if we endure temptation. James talks about this in James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” As in all the letters to the churches, an exhortation is given to all who have an ear to listen what the Spirit says. Then, our Lord says, “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” As mentioned last week, all true believers are conquerors, or overcomers. However, in this passage, Jesus is promising the second death will in no way affect true believers. The first death-physical death-is the separation of the body and the spirit. We can see what the second death is from Revelation 20:14 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” At this second death, a person’s spirit is separated from God for all of eternity. If you are only born once, you will die twice-both physically and spiritually. On the other hand, if you are born twice, you only die once-physically.