Be
faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10c)
For over two centuries, the church in America has
enjoyed exceptional freedom. The laws of
the land have assured the right to worship.
For much of that time there has been great respect and influence by
Christianity in American life. I say it
is exceptional because for much of church history it has not been the case, and
in places today believers will be imprisoned, tortured, and martyred. There is every indication this is coming to America. The verbal assault of strident secularism, as
well as the government moving from benevolent, to benign, and now toward
belligerence concerning religion is evident.
In the first century, persecution from the pagan world
was commonplace and would intensify. As
Jesus speaks to seven representative churches in chapters two and three of
Revelation, His message to the church in Smyrna was one of consolation to a
persecuted people.
Jesus begins by addressing the angel of the church
(2:8). The word means, “messenger.” In most places, this refers to heavenly
messengers, but in these seven letters, I believe it speaks of human messengers. God’s letter to the church is delivered to
the pastor who will proclaim it to the people.
We know from church history that the pastor of Smyrna was Polycarp—burned
at the stake for his faithfulness to Christ.
The letter is directed to the assembly of the members
(2:8), the church at Smyrna. The town’s
name came from their trade in exporting myrrh. Myrrh is an
aromatic resin made from a small, thorny tree.
The
word myrrh means bitter. It was used for
embalming. How appropriate for a church
that would know bitterness and death.
Jesus commended them without complaint.
He consoled them without chastening them. All of the other churches in these letters—even
the really good ones—have problems that Jesus addresses, but not this
assembly. The fire of refining had
purified them.
Jesus is the Author of this letter (2:8) and the way
He describes Himself is most instructive.
He is “the First and the Last, who
was dead, and came to life….” Men
may come and go, tribulations begin and end—Christ is eternal, unchangeable,
invincible, even conquering death. That
was the hope and encouragement to these suffering saints, and to the persecuted
today also.
The accomplishments of this church are presented next
(2:9). They were faithful despite the
hostile environment. Their church wasn’t
respected—it was hated. We are told
today that the successful church is one that adapts its message to the
culture. It is the church that is
welcoming to seekers. The model churches
of American evangelicalism scrupulously avoid the political and making moral
pronouncements. Yet, Jesus commended a
church that was hated. Furthermore, many
popular voices today tell you that faith leads to financial prosperity. This church contradicts that false
gospel. They weren’t celebrated, but
lied about and persecuted.
These afflictions would bring wonderful attainments,
however (2:10). Satan would strike them,
yet a Sovereign God would sift them with suffering. There were limits set on the span of their
persecution and the church would emerge stronger from being tempered by
fire. Jesus promised to reward them with
the crown of life.
He closes with an appeal (2:11). It is a personal one—for a church is only as
strong as its individual members. The
overcomers may not evade the fire here, but are promised exemption from the
fire hereafter. We are not saved because
we overcome, but we overcome because we are saved.
2 comments:
Thank you for these devotions. I look forward to reading. You always give me something to ponder....thank you also for speaking the truth, not adapting it into a "feel good" message. God bless you and your family during this Christmas season. Continuing to pray for your sweet Mya
I am most blessed when I can be a blessing! Thanks for your encouraging words and prayers for my granddaughter! Merry Christmas to you!
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