Be faithful unto death
May 20, 2018
We look at the second of Jesus’ 7 letters to the churches, the letter to the church in Smyrna. This church receives no rebuke and the Smyrnaeans are encouraged as they undergo persecution from the authorities and slander from the Jews. However, we are in for as surprise. Rather than promising to strike down their enemies, Jesus asks them to remain faithful, through tribulation, even unto death. We are challenged to view things from God’s perspective; to pursue the crown of life, to avoid the second death & to follow the one with resurrection power. This life is only momentary & the question remains, are we living for the next one? This letter is challenging, worldview changing, surprising and it all hinges on the fact that Jesus died but has now come back to life! He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Stephen Morrison
Revelation 2:8–11 (Listen)
To the Church in Smyrna
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander1 of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
Footnotes
[1] 2:9
(ESV)
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.
Podcast feed - put this into your favourite podcast software to keep up to date with all of our preaches.