PF - Revelation 2:8-11

Let’s turn to Revelation 2. We’re looking at verses 8-11 this morning. Let me pray.

PRAY

Why are people afraid of suffering?

What about Christians? How do you think Christians should see suffering?

Well, our passage has a lot to say about suffering as a Christian. Let’s read.

READ PASSAGE

Revelation 2:8–11 NIV

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Now, you can see that this is a letter to a church in a place called Smyrna, which is located in nowadays Turkey.

But who is writing this letter, according to verse 8? Who is speaking to this church?

That’s right - it’s Jesus! And He is saying that He knows them well!

Look at verse 9. What does Jesus know about this church?

They’re suffering! They are experiencing afflictions and don’t have a lot of money.

And the Jews in the city are saying that they are not real believers. Why might the Jews say that about these Christians?

Because they don’t believe that Jesus is the Messiah! And so, the Jews think they - the Jews - are actually the ones that are God’s people!

Now, it’s easy to focus on our suffering when it happens. To only see the bad things that are happening and to have no hope. But look again at verse 9. How does Jesus show help these Christians to go past that?

Exactly! But why would Jesus say they are rich? It’s because, although they don’t have big houses or lots of money, they have paradise waiting for them! They will rule in God’s kingdom with Jesus!

And so, the Jews that are telling them they are not God’s people - they’re wrong! In fact, they’re the ones who are NOT God’s people! They are - verse 9 - Satan’s people!

And once those Christians see things the right way - once WE see things the right way - then we are ready to hear what Jesus says.

Verse 10:

Revelation 2:10 NIV

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

Now, you need to understand what Jesus is NOT saying.

Jesus is NOT saying “Don’t worry guys, I’ll make sure you don’t suffer. Life is going to be fantastic. No one is going to hurt you.”

Actually, it’s the opposite. Jesus is telling them in advance “Guys, you are going to suffer.”

And Jesus says the same to you and me. In the gospels, when he’s talking with His disciples, Jesus says “You are going to suffer because of me.”

Lots of people think that being a Christian means you won’t suffer. But that’s the opposite of what Jesus says.

Being a follower of Jesus means that we WILL suffer because of Him.

Now, what should we do when that happens, according to verse 10?

Bingo. Be faithful. Don’t give up on Jesus.

But it’s more than that, right? Don’t give up on Jesus EVEN if it means you’re going to die because of Him.

And gang, you need to understand that WE are here today, going to church without fear of being killed, because LOTS - and I mean LOTS - of people died because of Jesus.

Lots of people died sharing the good news about Jesus. And it was through their efforts that God made it so that coming to church doesn’t get us killed.

But if you look at other places in the world - China, North Korea, certain parts of India - being a follower of Jesus still gets you killed!

So why should we be faithful? Look at verse 10 and 11.

Verse 10:

Revelation 2:10 NIV

Be faithful and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Revelation 2:11 NIV

The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Why should we stick with Jesus, even when we suffer? Because if we do, we will receive eternal life.

Because, if we do, we will go to paradise, a world in which there is no more suffering.

Do you want a world without suffering? A world with no more tears? No more goodbyes? No more death?

Then keep trusting Jesus. Even when you suffer now.

And I’ll end with this.

We sometimes can’t help people when they suffer because we don’t know what they’re going through.

But Jesus can help us when we suffer. Why is that?

Remember that always. Jesus suffered more than you and I can imagine. He knows exactly what your suffering feels like.

So, when you suffer, reach out to Him. Pray and say “Jesus, help me to stay strong! Give me strength just to keep going!”

He will answer that prayer and He will give you all the help you need. Because He knows your suffering.

Even when you suffer, stick with Jesus. And you know that eternal life, paradise, awaits you.

Let’s pray.