Bible Study - Church (2) - Steadfast in Difficulties - Revelation 2:8-11 - June 13, 2021

 

Bible Study – Church (2) – Steadfast in Difficulties – June 13, 2021

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “The Church GOD Desires.”

Our focus scripture is Revelation 2:8-11.

We need not fear because we are rich in GOD’S grace.

GOD’S grace does what the law could never do. The law was and is rigid. GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS and HIS passion replaces GOD’S sentence of eternal death due to sin. This is clearly spelled out in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we (Spirit-born Christians) might become the righteousness of God.

As Christians, we become affiliated with a body of believers, which is referred to as a church. The body should reflect the desires of JESUS, through the witness of the Holy Spirit.

As you recall, the Apostle John was writing what our risen and ascended Savior, JESUS, was dictating to him regarding seven churches. Last week we studied the church located in Ephesus. This study focuses on the church in Smyrna.

Smyrna is located about 40 miles north of Ephesus. Today, we know it as Izmir, Turkey with a population of 200,000 people. It is located at the mouth of the Hermus River valley which resulted in a wealthy city where its people were interested in sciences and medicine.

One of the streets in Smyrna was named Golden. It led to the temples dedicated to the gods Cybele and Zeus. Smyrna also had temples dedicated to Apollo, Asclepius, Aphrodite and won the right to build a temple to Emperor Tiberius. This ushered in Emperor worship.

There was a large Jewish population in Smyrna who were hostile to the Christians. The Jews persecuted the Christians to show others in Smyrna that Christians were not part of the Jews. This resulted in the Jews being exempt from emperor worship but the Christians were not exempted. This created tension between the Christian and Gentile communities in Smyrna. The gentiles required everyone but the Jews to worship the emperor which the Christians refused to accept. There is but one to whom Christians recognize as their authority and that is JESUS.

In AD 155, Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna was martyred for refusing to declare Caesar as Lord. This framed the letter JESUS dictated to John.

Let’s explore!

When governments pit one group of people against another, it gives opportunity for evil to abound toward the unfavored group from the government, groups of people and people in general.

It is sad what is going on in America. The bottom line is all people trace their existence to one source, Eve, the mother of all people. We all came from the same mother, Eve.

America, wake up! Do not allow color to define people as different. All people are in need of JESUS WHO gave HIS sinless life for ALL people. All people are either bound for Heaven, though faith in JESUS or Hell, when they reject JESUS as their Savior. If color matters, which it does not, JESUS was brown in color.

Let’s explore what JESUS instructed the Apostle John to write regarding the church in Smyrna.

Let’s read Revelation 2:8-9:

The Letter to Smyrna

⁸ “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: ⁹ I know your^[d] affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

JESUS is “the First and the Last.” JESUS is eternal and HE would be with the Christians in Smyrna because HE had already died and been raised from the dead. Therefore, HE will see them through the issues they would face. The same is true for us today.

JESUS established HIS authority as The ONE to make critical judgment on the church in Smyrna. JESUS was intimate with the people and activities of the church. HE walked among them and knew the message that was being presented and their application of the message. JESUS knew they encountered things they had to endure – affliction and poverty. This is not knowing about the issues but HE knew the issues.

The Good News is that their “affliction and poverty” had resulted in them being Spiritually rich. They had put everlasting treasure into the Heavenly eternal treasury as a result of their “affliction and poverty.”  

JESUS knew those who claimed to be Jews had done so to escape the issues that were facing those who were Christians. These Christians had denied being Christians because of fear and lack of trust that JESUS would take care of them. These Christians had rather align themselves with Satan than stand firm trusting JESUS protection and care.

Let’s read Revelation 2:10:

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 experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown^[e] of life.

JESUS knows the plans Satan/the devil has against Christians. JESUS used the word “Look” or pay special attention to. JESUS was giving special emphasis that your enemy is not the Jews or the gentiles but the devil. HE used the word “devil” in place of “Satan.” Satan means adversary. Devil carries the idea of “diabolical” which means “slanderer.” You will suffer and be thrown into prison to test you. Be “faithful to the point of death, and I (JESUS) will give you the crown of life.”

Christians, keep focused on what JESUS has already done, which is a guarantee and sealed by the Holy Spirit of your future beyond this physical life upon earth. Earth life is temporary but Spirit-born life through faith in JESUS is eternal. So, Christians, stay focused upon that which is real. Remain faithful to your calling. You will be tested but the test will only last for a short period of time, 10 days.

The 10 days could allude to Christians being placed in an arena to fight gladiators.

Christians are to stand firm upon the rock and the promises of those Spirit-born Christians secured by the shed blood and passion of JESUS. HE has conquered death with eternal life. HE will be with you and never leave you because “HE is the first and the last.”

None of us know how we will respond if or when we are faced with prison or death for our faith in JESUS. We all hope that we will be faithful to the end, resting upon the assurance of our faith.

When we remain faithful, what is promised by JESUS? Christians will receive the “crown of life.” The people in Smyrna were familiar with crowns. In Smyrna, they had coins which had the images of civil servants wearing crowns. There were two Greek words used for crown (1) Diadema/diadem was the royal crown (2) Stephanos was a garland wreath given to victors in athletic contests. The word JESUS used was the word for garland (Stephanos). This earthly crown (Stephanos) would fade but the crown given by JESUS is eternal and never fades, “the crown of life.”

Let’s read Revelation 2:11:

¹¹ “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.

The key is for “anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the Spiritual body.” What is that message? The message is clear, “the one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.” What is the second death? It is eternal death which results from the consequence of sin. Christians, remain faithful to the end regardless of what the world throws our way. Trust when we face the issues the devil and the world bring our way. GOD, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, will be right there with us. HE is the first and the last and will never leave or forsake us.

Our churches are under attack today from the enemy. Often, those of us in small community churches envy the large mega churches in our area. That is exactly what Satan desires for us to do. Oh, poor us. NO! It is NOT poor us! It is hallelujah!!! FATHER, how can we be the beacon of hope in the community where YOU have planted us to minister. We are not defined by our smallness but by our greatness because YOU are our sufficiency. We seek to serve YOU where we are because we have a community surrounding us that is either bound for Heaven or Hell. We are the eternal lifeboat that offers hope to all willing to climb aboard.

FATHER, help us never to focus upon what we cannot do but what we can do through YOUR massive power and love for those who are seeking eternal life and hope. May those who need JESUS as their Savior see that we offer the living water which quenches the Spiritual thirst. May we open our ears to the leading of the Holy Spirit and LISTEN and apply what we hear.

Blessings!!!