Prepare Yourself: An Oracle to the Church in Smyrna

Sermon Text

Please remain standing for the reading of God’s Holy and inspired Word, I pray you receive it as such:

Revelation 2:8–11 ESV

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 slander 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.’

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Opening Prayer

Sovereign God, our heavenly Father, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,

LORD, as we study the Revelation of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord and saviour, help us see Jesus, that others might see Jesus in us.

Oh Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, conform us evermore to the Image of Christ, the standard, the canon, our measuring rod, the true image of the invisible, “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of Your nature,” the one who, “upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

Almighty God, illumine your Word inscripturated, that we may see more and more of your Word incarnated, that we might grow in love and maturity in Christ, properly adorning ourselves for our Lord, our Heavenly Bridegroom, preparing ourselves for our wedding day to come.

Oh LORD, give us ears that we may hear what your Spirit says to the churches, we pray all of this by that self-same Spirit, in the matchless name of the Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Introduction

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ,

What a privilege it is to get the opportunity to deliver to you the Word of the Living God today. And what a privilege it is to be granted the opportunity to preach a small but mighty text. Indeed, our text is much like the church in question. Little Smyrna, she might be small, but she is mighty.

Indeed, the oracle to the church in Smryna is the smallest of the 7 oracles. While it might be small it presents with a BIG question of great profundity : “Are you willing to suffer and die for your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?” Are you willing to pick up your cross and follow after Him daily? For Christ Himself, taught Matthew 10:38 “…whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

So are you willing to come to Christ that you may die?

That is the weighty question set before us today, and that is what I want you to think about as we go through our text today. For this is the main theme of our text.

However, before we get into our text today, I think it’s critically important to to set the context of our passage, and in doing so, do a brief review of where we’ve been in the Book of Revelation, that we may understand where we are, and, finally, where we are going. My hope is that, in doing so, it will help orient us in our text today.

I trust it will not only be helpful to our visitors, but that it will be helpful as a review to those of you who are with us every Lord’s Day.

So my hope for this hour is threefold:

To set the broader context of the oracles that we might see how they fit into the bigger picture of the Revelation.

To examine the structure of the oracles as a unit, that we might understand them better.

Finally, to delve deep into our text that we might be able to confidently answer that most profound question, whether we are prepared to come to Jesus that we might die?

i. Context/Review

First, let’s set the table:

Ironically and lamentably, beloved, for far too many the apocalypse (or Revelation) remains shrouded in mystery. Sadly, for many, far too many, Revelation is a closed book.

Yet, as elder Dave pointed out in his opening sermon on the Revelation, we are told plainly, what the Revelation is about. In fact, it’s sort implied by the name.

Revelation 1:1 ESV

1 (What is the revelation about?) The revelation of Jesus Christ, (Why was it written, what is its purpose?) …which God gave him to show his servants the things that must soon take place.

Twofold Purpose of Revelation

Twofold Purpose of Revelation: (1) To Reveal the Lord Jesus Christ, who he is, what He has done, and what He is going to do. (2) Show the things that must soon take place.

When? Soon. Indeed, the Revelation is to show the things that are about to take place in the Apostle John’s immediate future. Thus, for the most part, it reveals to us the things that took place in our distant pass.

So, as we go through the book of Revelation, you must have this two-fold purpose in the back of your mind at all times.

This twofold purpose should bring to our minds…

The Main Theme of the Book of Revelation

The MAIN THEME of the Book of Revelation: God Divine divorce decree to OC Israel, as articulated in Rev. 1:7:

Revelation 1:7 ESV

7 Behold, he [Jesus] is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the land will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

Here Jesus strings together two OT quotations from Daniel 7:13-14 and Zechariah 12:10-14.

First, what does it mean that Jesus is coming on the clouds?

Well, as elder Dave has already made clear in his Sermon on Revelation 1:7. Here, Jesus is directly quoting Daniel 7:13–14…

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came [which direct? up] to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him [Jesus, the Son of Man] was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; [for] his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

So, here, we see that Christ’s coming with the clouds speaks not of His parousia (or 2nd coming), but rather about his ascension to the Ancient of Days. As the exalted, ascended High Priestly-King, Jesus ascends to the throne room of heaven and there is presented for evaluation before God the Father.

And, believe it or not (this is so cool), Scripture actually records this evaluation for us.

Turn with me quickly to Psalm 2:

Psalm 2 ESV

7 I will tell of the decree: YAHWEH said to me, [That is, God the Father said to Jesus, the Son], “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” [Here, we have God the Father giving the nations to Jesus the Son, as a reward for His Person and work, as His heritage and treasured possession and He will rule them with the rod of iron, the sceptre given to Him by His Father. It is for this reason the Psalm goes on to says that the Kings of the earth must obey the Son, “the ruler of the kings of earth” (Rev. 1:5).] 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve YAHWEH with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Indeed, Blessed are those who take refuge in Christ pretty much sums up the entirety of the oracles given to the 7 churches.

But, this isn’t the only place where we get to see this wonderful inter-Trinitarian interaction between Father and Son. It is also recorded for us in Psalm 110:

Psalm 110 ESV

The LORD says to my Lord,[Literally] YAHWEH says to my adoni [the Father says to the Son]: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” 2 Yahweh sends forth from Zion your mighty sceptre [the same iron rod, the staff of judgment we saw in Ps. 2]. Rule in the midst of your enemies!… [For]4 YAHWEH has sworn and will not change his mind, “You [Jesus] are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” [For adoni, the Lord Jesus, is at the right hand of YAHWEH, [God the Father and] he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will execute judgment among the nations,

This is the coming alluded to by Jesus when he quotes from Daniel 7.

His coming on the clouds is not about His Second Coming, it is about His coming on the clouds in judgment on Apostate Israel, for judgment begins with the household of God (1 Pet.4:17).

And, in case you think I’m just engagin in speculation, it is actually Jesus Himself who links this coming on the clouds with the soon to come destruction of Israel when he quotes Zechariah 12:10-14, a prophecy about the destruction of Israel, when he says in the latter half of…

Revelation 1:7 ESV

and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the land will wail on account of him.

Right here in Rev. 1:7, Jesus links His “coming on clouds” as the exulted Priest-King to the soon to take place, judgment on the House of Israel, which, we know historically, took place in AD 70.

This is the very thing that Jesus predicted during his Olivet Discord, as recorded for us in Matt. 23-25, Mk. 13, Lk. 21, in which He predicted the imminent destruction of the Temple and the end of the Old Covenant age, all of which would come upon that generation.

All in accord with his priestly duty per Lev. 14:33-57.

The Gospels record for us that Jesus, as the Priest-King, visited the house of God, the Temple, twice. First, at the beginning of his ministry (John 2:13-22), then once at the end of His ministry (Matt 21:12-17; Mk. 11:15-18; Lk. 19:45-47). Having visited the Temple twice, Jesus has declared the Temple unclean twice and, according to the Law of God , if the disease persists, all that is left to do is to:

Leviticus 14:45 ESV

45 …break down the house, its stones and timber and all the plaster of the house, and he shall carry them out of the city to an unclean place.

Because Jesus is coming back, not bodily, but truly in judgment, He now tells His Church, His bride to Prepare Herself for His soon coming.

It is against this backdrop, that the oracles to the 7 churches in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, take place.

ii. Structure

So, with the broader context in mind, we now come briefly, to the oracles themselves.

A Note on Oracles

First, these writings are not letters, as they are commonly called, but oracles–prophetic pronouncements, or royal proclamations.

Indeed, in these oracles we see the Lord Jesus Christ, as the exalted Priest-King, prophesy to His Church about the things that must soon to come to pass, namely, the destruction of the world as they know it.

Structure of the Oracles

There is much that can be said, and should be said about the structure of the oracles themselves. However, time does not permit us to do a deep dive into the structure of the letters. Briefly, however there are a few things we must note.

First, how do these oracles fit in to the broader Book of Revelation and the Bible as a whole?:

The oracles actually identify key characters and themes that are central to the unfolding drama of the Revelation, and they anticipate the things that are about to be depicted in the rest of the Book.

More broadly, they actually recapitulate the entire history of Israel from Creation to the first-century, borrowing biblical imagery and themes from the epochs of OT history.

The 7 Oracles form a Chiasm, which centres on the 4th letter which highlights the main theme of the book of Revelation, namely, the spiritual adultery of Israel, the unfaithful bride, the harlot, as depicted in the letter to the church in Thyatira.

While we don’t have the time to delve further into the structure, what I do want you to understand is that contextually, these oracles are all of one piece in conjunction with the First Vision (Rev.1:9-20), which is evident by the fact that all of the letters refer back to some aspect of that vision of Christ.

Importantly, each oracle shares the same basic form: 1. Command & Address: To whom the letter is written - “to the angel of the church … write.” 2. Identification: Jesus identifies himself alluding back to the First Vision. 3. Christ’s Personal Knowledge of the Church: Expressed in the words “I know…,” 4. Verdict: An assessment of the church’s situation. 5. Warning: to the church. 6. Exhortations: to heed His word. 7. Promises: “To the one who overcomes (or conquers)…”

These 7 elements are present in every single oracle.

All for the intended purpose of preparing Christ’s bride, His NC people, His Church, for His imminent judgment-intrusion that is soon to come on that generation.

Because Christ is coming in judgment on the polluted house of Israel, He directs His House, the Church, to get her house in order. The Bridegroom tells His bride to adorn herself.

Indeed, the central theme of the Revelation can be described as a bride war, between OC Israel and the NC Church. This is the context of in which the oracles are presented.

iii. Exegesis

So, with the table is set let us turn to our text, starting in Revelation 2:8.

Verse 8 - (1) Address & (2) Identification:

Revelation 2:8 ESV

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.

Here, in verse 8, we see the first to aspects of the oracle, namely, the address and identification.

ADDRESS (TO): Simply, this oracle is addressed to the church in Smyrna.

IDENTIFICATION (FROM): Secondly, and not as simply, the letter is from, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the Apostle John (Rev. 1:11), by the Spirit (Rev. 2:11).

Snap shot of the doctrine of inspiration which we confess each Lord’s Day.

What is critical for us to see is how Christ identifies himself to the church in Smyrna because it has everything to do with the central theme of the oracle.

So, how does he identify Himself, In (vs. 8) Jesus identifies Himself in two ways, both of which are connected to Rev. 1:17-18. Here, He identifies Himself as:

Revelation 2:8 ESV

(1) the first and the last, (2) and the One… who died and came to life.

In this description, we see clearly that Jesus Christ is claiming to be the God-man.

First, He is God. He is the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, He is the eternal One.

Indeed, the same John who is writing this oracle to the Smyrnean church, is the same man who wrote these words: John 1:1-3

John 1:1–3 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word [logos, ref. to Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

So, in identifying Himself in this way, the Lord Jesus Christ, makes it clear that He is the Sovereign Lord of Glory, the Creator of the Cosmos, the Eternal One, the Great I Am, God Almighty.

But… the identification doesn’t end there., Jesus is also truly man. Indeed, He is…

John 1:14 ESV

14 the [eternal] Word [that] became flesh and dwelt [lit. tabernacled] among us

He is the Word who took on human flesh and frailty, who, in humility, condescended into His own creation, to redeem it from bondage to sin and death through his death and resurrection.

He is the One who first “died, and lastly, “came to life.”

This is the One who is addressing the church in Smyrna.

And it is against this picture of Christ, that He will evaluate His Church in Smyrna.

Verse 9 - (3) Knowledge & (4) Verdict:

So, now let us look at what He has to say to the church in Smyrna:

Revelation 2:9 ESV

9 “ ‘I know (STOP).

“I Know:”

There is so much in this one phrase. First, as already noted, every single one of Jesus’ evaluations of the seven churches in Asia Minor, begins with this personal and profound statement: “ I Know.”

The great exulted High-Priestly King, the God-man, the fearsome metal man of John’s First Vision, of Daniel 10, He is also the Good Shepherd of the sheep.

Indeed, listen to His own words…

John 10:14–15 ESV

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Christ knowledge, here spoken of, isn’t some cold, rational assent.

No! The LORD Jesus Christ is intimately familiar with His beloved sheep!

As we saw last week, He is the one who walks in the midst of his churches and who holds his Church and its leaders in his hand. More than that, He is the one who lays down his life for His Sheep.

In fact, I want to briefly highlight, the depth of which Christ knows his sheep as demonstrated by the way He repeatedly uses the historical and cultural circumstances of the church to which He is writing as a foil for the themes of His letter.

For example, real quick, here are some documented historical facts about the Church in Smyrna which demonstrate this point.

The First and Last: Culturally, Smyrna & Ephesus had a historical rivalry about who was the greatest city in Asia Minor. Against that, Jesus declares His preeminent One.

The One Who Died and Came to Life: Smyrna is the resurrected city. It was one of the most ancient Greco-Roman cities in all of Asia Minor established roughly 1,000 years prior to the birth of Christ. In 600 BC, Smyrna was sacked, it was killed, and over a period of more than 300 years it was rebuilt. It came back to life around 290 BC. Against this, it is Jesus who is the true resurrection and life.

and finally, The Crown of LIFE: Historically, the Smyrnaen goddess, Cybele, is pictured, on coinage of the day, as wearing a crown which was the city battlement that was built on Mt. Pagos by Alexander the Great, and referred to as the crown of Asia. Well, it is actually the true and living God-Man, King Jesus who is “the ruler of the kings on earth” and it is he who grants places the crown of life on the head (Rev. 1:5).

Jesus uses every single one of these important historical facts to demonstrate His intimate knowledge of the church in Smyrna.

However, these facts are not the things which Christ highlights in His oracle to Smyrna. Instead, in evaluating their situation, he tells them He knows three things: (1) there tribulation; (2) their true net worth; (3) their enemies.

Revelation 2:9 ESV

9 “ ‘I know (1) your tribulation and (2) your poverty (but you are rich); (3) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

(1) Tribulation:

First, Jesus, the Suffering Servant, knows the plight of the Church in Smyrna.

On account of Christ, the Smyrnaen church is sore oppressed. Like their Lord before them, the church in Smyrna is suffering greatly at the hands of God’s OC people, as goes the master, so goes the servants.

Right there in Smyrna, the seat of Roman Emperor cult worship in Asia Minor, this small church, like the apostle Paul, “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”

Indeed, was it not the Lord Jesus Himself, that taught Paul, that Jesus is so closely united to His Church, that their sufferings amount to his, when he said, Acts 9:4: ““Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting [my church? NO!] me?””

(2) Their Net Worth:

Secondly, the Lord knows the true net worth of the Smyrnaen Church.

Revelation 2:9 ESV

9 “ ‘I know (1)… 2) your poverty (but you are rich);

Though they are small in number, oppressed, and impoverished, things are not as they appear, the Smyrnaen church is actually rich, for because of their steadfast faithfulness in the midst of suffering , they are preparing for themselves an eternal weight of glory.

In their suffering, the church in Smyrna actually reflects the Image of the Slain Lamb, the One of inestimable worth, the True Son of God, the True Apostle, Prophet, Priest and King, the main hero of the book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 5).

b. Because the Smyrnaen Church has not stored up their treasures on earth, but in heaven, their treasures are imperishable, they cannot be taken from them (Matt. 6:19-20).

In fact, the Smyrnaen’s poverty was most likely due to their purity. No doubt, the church’s refusal to compromise themselves by taking part in the Ancient Roman trade guilds which were closely linked to pagan Imperial cult worship of their day, would have made it very challenging for them to engage in profitable economic activities (Rev. 13:17).

c. Indeed, the Smyrnaen church, is one of only two churches, along with the church at Philadelphia, which does not receive a rebuke in these 7 oracles. The Smyrnaen’s situation is obviously contrasted with the deluded Laodicean church which Rev. 3:17

Revelation 3:17 ESV

17 [They says to themselves] I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing [their true estate] that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

d. So, the question is, Church, how do we evaluate the Church:

Do we have the eyes of Christ in our evaluation? Or are we judging from and earthly perspective?

On the size of the church? The prestige of its pastors and elders? Are we judging church health based on the net-worth of congregants? Or the amount of programs it is capable of offering?

Or, are we evaluating the worth of a church based on its steadfast faithfulness to the Lord and its victorious joy in the midst of tumult, suffering, and persecution? I pray we will be the latter, not the former.

(3) Their Enemy

Revelation 2:9 ESV

9 “ ‘I know (1) your tribulation and (2) your poverty (but you are rich); (3) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Thirdly, Jesus knows their enemy, namely, “those who say they are Jews and are not, but, rather, a “synagogue of Satan.”

Here, we are confronted with the 2nd great enemy in the book of Revelation, the false Sons of God.

Each of the enemies identified in the oracles, gives a picture of God’s verdict of OC Israel.

Last week, in the oracle to Ephesus we were confronted by first enemy: the false apostles and prophets. In this oracle, Jesus identifies the enemy as the false sons of God.

At the time of this oracle, Smyrna had a very large, wealthy, influential Jewish population, that history record as being, aggressively hostile towards the burgeoning Christian Church.

And we can see from the text that these Jews, were deliberately blaspheming and slandering God, which is to say they were lying about and His Bride, the Church.

During the earliest days of the Church, who was the the chief enemy of the Church of Jesus Christ?

Believe it or not, it was not the Beastly State of Rome. No! In fact, until Caesar Nero lost his mind, Rome was a relatively good beast, which at times even protected the Church, as recorded for us in the Gospels and the Book of Acts.

Who was the chief enemy of the early Church, it was apostate Israel.

Indeed, who handed over Jesus to the Romans? Who was it that constantly persecuted the burgeoning church of Jesus Christ? The Jews. The false sons of God.

These false sons, the Jews in Smyrna, were the ones who were bringing on the heavy persecution of the Smyrnaen church, no doubt , by stirring up the Roman officials in Smyrna, a city which prided itself on Roman Imperial Cult worship, against the Christians who insisted that “Jesus ho Kyrios,” that Jesus is the King, the true God-man, not Caesar.

These false sons, sadly, no longer bear the image of their Father, God, but , in their apostasy, they now bare the mark and image of the beast, imagery picked up in prophetic detail in Revelation 13:11-18. These false sons have now become the synagogue of Satan.

And, is this not how Jesus refers to the Jews who sought to kill him. Turn with me to the epic disputatio between Jesus and the hostile Jewish leaders at the Festival of Booths, recorded for us in John 8?

John 8:39–47 ESV

39 They [the Jews] answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

v. Indeed, the true Jew, the true descendant of Abraham, the Father of the Faithful, is not the physical descendant of Abraham, but the one who is of the same lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by faith.

vi. Lamentably, the first century Jews bare not the image of Christ, their Messiah, but rather the image of Satan, the Great Adversary, the Accuser ofthe Brethern, and in their blasphemy of Christ and His bride, they are doing the devils work.

Thus, the true Jew, is the one who has faith in Jesus. At this time in history, the true Jews were those who were becoming Christians.

It is on account of the blasphemy and slander of these false sons that the Smyrnean church is being sore oppressed, which leads us to…

Verse 10 - (5) Warning : Prepare Yourself:

Verse 10 encompasses both (1) a warning of what is to come; and (2) an exhortation to perseverance in the face of what is about to come. Jesus tells the Smyrnaen church to prepare herself.

Revelation 2:10 ESV

10 (a) Do not fear what you are about to suffer.

Are these words not an echo of Christ’s words, in Luke 12:4–5?

Luke 12:4–5 ESV

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

What great comfort for the church in Smyrna, Jesus commands them to not be afraid for, even if they should suffer to the point of death, Jesus, after all is the One who has overcome death and has the Keys of Hades, He is the one who “has authority to cast into hell” (Rev. 1:18 cf. Lk. 12:4-5).

Jesus commands the Smyrnaens not to fear, for in Him they are more than conquers (Romans 8), in Him…

1 Corinthians 15:54–55 ESV

54 “Death is swallowed up in victory.” It’s as though Jesus is saying to them, be of good cheer, friends for I have overcome death. 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Indeed, 2 Timothy 1:7, says, “for God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self-control,” yes, even amidst suffering and death.

But, what exactly are they about to suffer?

Revelation 2:10 ESV

(b) Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, (why?) that you may be tested, (c) and for ten days you will have tribulation.

The Smyrnaen Church is about to be delivered up to the authorities on account of Christ, and they will be tested for a period of 10 days.

Given the round number, expressed here, its unlikely that their period of tribulation will last a literal 10 days, rather it is symbolic of a little while.

Here, Jesus, says you will suffer but hold on just a little bit longer, for your tribulation will be short. Indeed, it’s just a light and momentary affliction especially in light of eternity.

Indeed, this period of suffering pails in comparison to the millennial reign of the saints which is shown us in…

Revelation 20:4–6 ESV

4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years… 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Beloved, is this not the exact same imagery used in our text?

Revelation 2:10 ESV

**(d) Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. **

Amazing, in Revelation 20, we see those who have suffered and died on account of Christ, receiving their crown of life and glory.

And is this not the MAIN THEME of our text: Out of death comes life and glory! THIS IS THE WAY OF THE CROSS.

This is the very counter-intuitive lesson that God has been teaching His people from the very start. Thiss is the very message that we must learn today.

The people of God must learn in a very real way, that out of death comes life and glory.

And just like the Patriarch Joseph, who (figuratively) rises from death and prison to become Prime-Minister of Egypt, those cast into prison, are those who will rise to claim a glorious crown, should they remain faithful in their suffering.

Verse 11 - (6) Exhortation to Heed & (7) a Promise Given to Those Conquer:

Revelation 2:11 ESV

11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Beloved, do you have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches? Are you paying attention? Do you understand that…

In Christ, death is not defeat it is the path to glory!

Do who have circumcised ears, regenerate hearts, and Spirit illumined minds? Then harken to the voice of your God and King:

Revelation 2:11 ESV

The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

WHY? For Christ has conquered death. In Him

1 Corinthians 15:54–55 ESV

“Death is swallowed up in victory.” [That we might cry boldly] 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

How does one conquer death?

There is only one way, beloved: By holding onto Jesus.

Dear friends, holdfast to Jesus. Cling to him. Grab hold of him and never, ever, ever let go of Him. For, if you holdfast, like the Smyrnaen church…

You too are promised His crown of life.

Beloved, holdfast to Jesus, not matter the cost, you will not regret it!

For do you not know brothers, and sisters that in Christ you’ve already died?

Do you not know that you are a new creature alives in Christ, the first fruits of His resurrection, and not subject to the second death?

Then there is no need to fear death. Cling to Jesus, and don’t let him go, you won’t regret it. Fight the good fight of faith, finish the race, keep the faith (1 Tim. 6:16; 2 Tim. 4:7).

For, in Christ, death is not defeat it is the path to glory!

Perhaps there may be some of you under the sound of my voice who have not yet, clung to Jesus. Dear friends, if this is you, I beg of you flee to Christ, grab hold of him and obtain the crown of life, or else, you wil be numbered with the enemies of God and subject to the second death.

If this is you, run to Christ, grab hold of Him, and never, ever, ever let Him go. For today is the day of salvation.

Beloved, in light of what Christ has done for us, how can we not pour ourselves out for him? Are you willing to count the cost?

Dearly beloved, harken to the voice of the Suffering Servant, the High-Priestly King, the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep. He says to you this day:

“Pick up your cross and follow after me (Matt. 10:38, 16:24; Mk. 8:34; Luke 9:23, 14:27), count the cost and forsake all on account of me (Lk.14:25-33), sell all you have and buy the pearl of great price which is Me (Mt. 13:45-46), suffer but a little longer loved ones, and I will give you the imperishable crown of life.” Hear Him.

Conclusion

So, this evening we’ve seen that:

(1) As the High-Preistly King, and heavenly Bridgroom, Jesus is coming back destroy the polluted Temple. In light of His soon to come judgment-intrusion on that generation He has given these intensly personal oracles to his Bride that she might adorn herself properly and that she might get her house in order.

(2) The structure of oracles highlights the main theme of the Book of Revelation, namely, God’s divine divorce decree to OC Israel.

(3) That Jesus is intimately familiar with His Church and that as the Suffering Servant, our master he calls us to come to Him that we may die. And if we remain faithful, we are promised a glorious crown of life.

In conclusion, beloved, I want leave you with this historical example which shows for the kind of conquering faith that advances the Kingdom of God and which perfectly illustrates the importance of these oracles.

This account shows these are real oracles, given to real churches of real saints in real history, that have had a real lasting impact on the course of real history.

I want to tell you a story of a saint who was practically presented with the questions is asked of us this day–Are you willing to remain faithful to Jesus even unto the point of death?…

Congregation, The year is the year of our Lord 155, during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (c. 155–156 AD).

The Beastly Roman authorities have intensified their persecution of Christians, largely aided by the antagonistic Jews. A time in which, the Romans had escalated their Imperial Cult practices demanding that all citizens swear allegiance to the emperor and offer sacrifices to the “god-man of Rome” and their entire pantheon of gods. For most, compliance was simple—a pinch of incense on the altar, and a murmured oath “Kaiser Kyrios” (Caesar is King)—simple really, you didn’t even really need to mean it. But for those who followed Christ, such an act was tantamount to a denial of Christ and His Lordship, and a betrayal of the one true and Living God.

Amidst this cultural tumult, that an elderly bishop in an ancient city of Asia Minor, was counted amongst those who refused. On account of which, the Roman authorities sought to arrest him, to make him an example of what happens to those who refused to worship the Caesar.

On account of his arrest warrant, this aged man fled to a small farm outside the city where he spent his time in prayer, asking God for strength, and preparing his soul for the trials that lay before him.

The Romans, having captured one of his boy servants, tortured him until he revealed the bishop’s hiding place. When the soldiers arrived, this elderly saint did not flee, he did not even resist. Instead, he welcomed them with calm serenity, even serving them food and drink and feasting with them. After which, he requested only a short time to pray.

In his hour of prayer, he stood in communion with God, his voice steady and full of faith. The soldiers, struck by his dignity, hesitated to even go through with the arrest. Some even urged him to save himself. “What harm is it,” they said, “to say ‘Caesar is Lord’ and offer a sacrifice?”

But the elederly saint refused. And so, the soldiers hands were tied and they arrested him and led him into the city to stand trial.

They delivered him delivered to the Proconsul in front of a packed stadium filled to the brim with spectators, hungry for blood.

The proconsul, seeing his old age and noble bearing, sought to spare the old man.

“Respect your years,” he urged. ‘Swear by the genius of Caesar; change your mind and say, “Away with the atheists!” –referring to the Christians who refused the libellus and would not preform latria to Caesar.

In response, the elderly saint, with solemn countenance, gazed upon the whole crowd, and waved his hand at them and said in loud voice: ‘Away with the atheists!’ referring to those who did not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Enraged, the proconsul continued: “Swear by the fortune of Caesar. Deny Christ, and you shall live.”

The saint responded coolily:

“Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”

The proconsul grew impatient. “I have wild beasts,” he threatened. “I will throw you to them unless you repent.”

The saint replied, “Call them, for I cannot change from good to evil.”

Enraged, the proconsul declared, “If you despise the beasts, I shall have you burned alive!”

The saint only smiled. “You threaten me with a fire that burns for a moment, but you do not know of the fire that awaits the wicked in the judgment to come. Do as you wish.”

Thus, this noble saint was set on a great pyre in the centre of the arena.

As the wood was set ablaze, the flames rose high—but a strange thing happened. Witnesses claimed that the saints body did not burn, but instead glowed serenely, appearing as if surrounded by glorious light.

Concerned and realizing the flames would not kill him, the executioners ordered a soldier to pierce him with a dagger. The moment the blade struck him, a great gush of blood poured forth, extinguishing the flames. And so, the faithful elderly saint fell dead, faithfully serving Jesus until the last.

Who was this faithful man, you ask? Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, a disciple of the Apostle John, John the Revelator, the very author of the oracle to the Church of Smyrna, and the one who ordained him.

No doubt, St. Polycarp was familiar with the oracle we just examined, and he knew the great promise given to all those who persevere, and conquer, to them is given the crown of life.

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Dear friends, the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church, and their voices still cry out to this day, may we hear them, and like them, may we too remain faithful until the end. Most importantly, may we have an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Beloved, It is my most sincere prayer, that St. Polycarp’s confession of faith would be your own. When asked if will you serve Christ even unto death, I pray you will confidently say:

“[For] years have I have served Him, He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?” MAY IT NEVER BE; Come what may!

Beloved, may we too remain faithful unto death that we too might receive the crown of life. AMEN.

Let’s pray…

Concluding Prayer

Sovereign God, our heavenly Father, Alpha and Omega,

Preserve us that we may persevere. Help us, Oh LORD, by Your Spirit, to holdfast to Christ, by faith, until the end. Amen.

Congregation, please rise to sing the words of…

Oh, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus - 412