What if… you could know what tomorrow held for you? Would you want to know? Would it offer you HOPE?

An old legend tells of a merchant in Baghdad who one day sent his servant to the market. Before very long the servant came back, white and trembling, and in great agitation said to his master: “Down at the market place I was jostled by a woman in the crowd, and when I turned around I saw it was Death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture. Master, please lend me your horse, for I must hasten away to avoid her. I will ride to Samarra and there I will hide, and Death will not find me.”

The merchant lent him his horse and the servant galloped away in great haste. Later the merchant went down to the market place and saw Death standing in the crowd. He went over to her and asked, “Why did you frighten my servant this morning? Why did you make a threatening gesture?”

“That was not a threatening gesture,” Death said. “It was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Baghdad, for I have an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.”

For many, DEATH is something feared, avoided, and even some try to cheat death… but the odds are clear (one out of every one people die!)

You and I are going to die. There is no escaping it. Who hasn’t heard of the two inescapable facts: death and taxes. Joan Welsh made a comment once... “Maybe death and taxes are inevitable, but death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.”

Interestingly enough it would get worse for those who lived in Smyrna… the place of the next love note we look at… Revelation 2:8-11

Revelation 2:8–11 NASB95

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

The Church of Smyrna

Our message or “love note” is delivered to a city 35 miles up the coast (a large city, half a million people) called Smyrna...

Another crucial sea port city, largest city in Asia Minor and the Political center for the region...

It had famous golden street that wound up Mount Pagus was studded like a crown with various public edifices and temples of notable architectural achievement.

Therefore, for Smyrnans used to speak of the city itself as “the crown city”

Evidence shows that Smyrna had become the center for Caesar worship

Romans here did not treat those who did not worship Caesar very well

There was a large populace of Jews there as well… those who deny that Jesus was the Christ… the Messiah they had been waiting for!

These Jews would not treat those who followed Jesus Christ well at all… the term “christian” was not a term of affection here in Smyrna

The Romans and the Jews both made life difficult for these Christians SUFFERING in Smyrna

IMAGINE: You are the church in Smyrna and you receive this letter from the dear brother John…

You gather together (quietly, possibly in fear) to read and hear what is said...

You hear of the vision John had of Jesus Christ… imagine their faces

You know Jesus has a message for you!

You hear about what God says to Ephesus just about 35 miles down the road… and now you're next! and this is what Jesus wants you to know...

As John penned Jesus’ message to Smyrna… I wonder how it affected how he prayed for them? … or how those in Ephesus passing the letter up the coats would pray for them?

They are going through a difficult time, and God reveals to them what tomorrow holds for them.

Truth is… there is some suffering, tribulations, difficulties that will not go away in this life...

I wonder if these believers reflected and remembered something else John had written that Jesus stated in John 16:33

John 16:33 NASB95

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

We can have peace because of Jesus! Remember as we go through this book of Revelation we are discovering and KNOWING more about HIM!!!

Christ Described!

They receive this love note from a Savior who understands...

Each of these messages were sent to the “angel/messenger” of the church… JOHN probably knew each one and possibly the pastor of Smyrna even closer...

A well know early church father, Polycarp, was a disciple of and mentored by the Apostle John…

PATTERSON states this about him: Polycarp was probably the angel of the church at Smyrna, the pastor to whom this circular letter of the Apocalypse came. Since his martyrdom is thought to have been in AD 155 and the Apocalypse delivered possibly as early as AD 95, a difference of sixty years, this conclusion at first blush may seem unlikely. However, it is not so unlikely when Polycarp’s words are cited. At the time of his execution, Polycarp spoke of serving Christ for 86 years. … he probably was pastor of the Smyrnan church when the Apocalypse was delivered.

60 years later and we still see Suffering and Persecution in this city for believers… BUT the church continues on!

The prediction of coming suffering was accurate

WHY THEN? is the church still there???

It has been said that “The church has always been the purest and the most fragrant when it was going through times of suffering.”

Consider this… verse 9 Jesus says to them “I know”

The description Jesus uses here is one that meets the need of this faithful, suffering church...

Jesus describes Himself:

“The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life,”

He is GOD! (first and last)

Not just King, Savior, Redeemer, and Lord…BUT he is creator, eternal, equal in power and majesty to God the Father!

Time is not a hindrance for God, He created it after all (HE KNOWS!)

Assurance through suffering

He was man (who was dead)

He knew suffering, He knew wrongful accusations, He knew tribulation, He knew abandonment, He knew Blasphemy

Comfort through suffering (it is comforting when someone comes along side of you who has been through what you are going through)

Hebrews 4:14-16 depicts this well...

Hebrews 4:14–16 NASB95

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

He is Victor! (come to life)

This understanding of the incarnation of Jesus Christ forms the very bedrock of our salvation!

Without His resurrection… He would have been just another good man who was martyred (like many of them had been and would be)

BUT He conquered Death, He rose from the grave that ALL who place their faith in His finished work might live eternally!

You can almost hear the compassion in the voice of Jesus as He speaks to this church… “I know...”

Oh How He Knows…

There is an understanding… NOT “I know of… BUT I know”

Hardship is an understatement… they were facing great suffering, pressure, burdens, (I know your tribulations)

(I know your poverty) This was even impacting their income level…

Blasphemy… lies, hurtful words, slander!

The Jews here claim to be God’s people by birth… but are really of Satan! (only for show) they had compromised even with their Jewish religion to avoid persecution.

The Romans demanding worship to the ruler and the Jews blasphemy the Christians to put themselves in a better light

No dignified Roman or self serving Jew would do business with these “Christians”

The tribulation and poverty are very real, but Christ words speak GREATER TRUTH!!!

Commendation

YOU ARE RICH!!!!! Their Riches in Christ... In Hardship

Even in the midst of this tribulation and poverty Jesus commends them for being RICH! Wealthy beyond measure!!!!

Their physical poverty was greatly outweighed by their spiritual wealth!

They knew this… This is why they pressed on!

2 Corinthians 8:9 and James 2:5

2 Corinthians 8:9 NASB95

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

James 2:5 NASB95

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

The church in Smyrna is commended for having an eternal perspective in this life… Regardless!

Hardship, suffering, poverty, lies and slander… can naturally bring fear and uncertainty

Concerns???

There is no correction for this suffering church.

They were not perfect rather they are allowing God to do a perfect work in them

There is no correction but DANGER IS PRESENT!

It is interesting that we also do not read, “don’t worry, I’ll protect you, it’s coming to an end, or it will be okay” INSTEAD…

Instruction of No Fear

“DO NOT FEAR” why because fear can cause you to:

Compromise… Seek riches… Escape persecution

Not be an overcomer rather succumb

Jesus lets them know more suffering is to come

“SOME” into prison

“SOME” tested

Tribulation for 10 days… brief (especially in light of eternity…)

Possibly the time waiting before one was sent to the gladiator arena

A short time of suffering

This is the work of the Devil, this is his domain for now, but GOD is still the one in control!

Being in control and all knowing, all powerful, He gives them and us

A Promise Focused on the ETERNAL!

Ears to hear… LISTEN! The Spirit is speaking to churches… you and I as well.

Be faithful… How long? Until death!

Finish strong!

Death for the believer is not the end… it is just the beginning!

Truth be told there are days (we all have them) where death would be easier than the suffering

Sometimes we will be called to suffer, go through tribulations in this life

Jesus offers two promises for the faithful overcomer...

1) Crown of life (in a city called the “crown city” Jesus offers a greater crown

A victors crown

don’t see yourselves as lowly, suffering, losers

See yourself as a victor in Christ desire the eternal over the temporal!

2) Promise of HOPE… “will not be hurt by the second death”

The lake of fire, final judgement!

The first death is separation of soul and body (all face this) the second death is the soul’s separation from God for eternity in Hell.

The enemy may kill the body, but the saint need never fear the second death… Those who are born twice will die only once. Those born only once will die twice.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 802). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

HOPE!!!

I started with this question...What if… you could know what tomorrow held for you? Would you want to know? Would it offer you HOPE?

For the believer it should… we have eternity with Jesus Christ! Oh church how wealthy we are because of our Savior Jesus Christ!

For this suffering church in Smyrna, the bridegroom drew close and offers comfort as “One who Knows”

For this church 2000 years later and this pastor… we still have this One who knows…

Your suffering and hardships

The pressures you face and the burdens of your heart

He is aware of those who Blasphemy… spread lies, hurtful words, slander!

AND He embraces you today in this love note and says… “I KNOW”

with a powerful whisper to not fear but keep focused on our ETERNAL HOPE

JIM ELLIOT

~ He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ~