Revelation 2:8-11
The Persecuted Church
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until 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. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.“‘
‘Fear not’ is the call to the church at Smyrna. Though these were persecuted by the adversary and appeared to be quite poor in material possessions, though they suffered pressing difficulties, they continued in doing good works to honor God as prepared (Ephesians 2:10) for them to accomplish out of joy and devotion to the Lord who saved them. These words of comfort and encouragement emanated from the very mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ who “was dead and came to life” to confirm the promise of their own resurrection by demonstrating His to them and to we all who are also found in Christ now. As then, even now there are those who blasphemously claim to be of God’s people but are not as they still worship their father the devil (John 8:44); these were those pretending to be Jews, and now appear among us as they mouth the name of Christ without being found in Him by saving grace. These in Smyrna are our example to fear not when suffering comes upon us in the face of imitation believers set against the truth and we who know we are the people of God in Christ in truth. We may be imprisoned or just suffer pressing tribulations by those opposing the gospel and we who are in Christ, but we are all called to be faithful when these things happen to us, even if it is to the death of these bodies in our resistance. We have been promised a crown of life (1 Corinthians 9:25-26, James 1:12) by faith in Christ! Again we are called along with this church and all the other of the seven to hear and deed the Spirit of Jesus Christ who speaks these words of warning and comfort. We are more than overcomers in Christ (John 16:33, 1 John 5:4) and the second death after our resurrection (Revelation 20:6, 14) will not keep us from Him. Fear not, overcomer!
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