To the Conquerors: True Prosperity - Smyrna

True Prosperity: Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11

I.  Introduction –

The Refining of Gold Read Revelation 2:8-11

Revelation 2:8–11 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “ ‘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. 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. 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.’

II. Look to Jesus Christ, Our God Who Suffered

a. Jesus Christ is God – The First and the Last Isaiah 41:4

Isaiah 41:4 ESV

Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.

He was before the Roman government who is bringing on this persecution and He will be here long after the government is gone. Same with our culture and society.  Jesus was here long before America was even a thought and He will be here long after America has faded from the pages of history.

b. Jesus Christ has suffered for us – Who died and came to life This would provide great encouragement to Smyrna.  They are being persecuted and are dying because of their love for Christ and their obedience to Him.  But see Christ is showing that they are not doing anything that He Himself has not already done.  And Christ did not stay dead, He came back to life.  This provides encouragement that our suffering and even our physical death is not the end of the story.  Because of Christ and because of His victory over sin and death, we have the hope of resurrection over the second death!

III. Focus on True Prosperity – vs. 9 - 10

a. True Prosperity Has Nothing to Do with Money and Possessions

i. Smyrna was a physically poor church.  The Greek word for poverty here meaning that they lacked even the basics needed for life. Many of them were slaves and servants Those who did have possessions lost them due to persecution

ii. According to the Prosperity/Health and Wealth Gospel, these people would have been seen as sinners or people whose relationship with Christ was weak.  Obviously they are doing something wrong otherwise, God would bless them with prosperity and long life.

iii. Contrast with Laodicea (3:14-17) who were rich people.  And yet Christ condemns them as being wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.

b. True Prosperity Has Everything to Do with Faithfulness to and Love for Jesus Christ

i. Smyrna was regarded by God as being a rich church in spite of their circumstances

ii. He contrasts them with the local Jewish synagogue that Christ Himself condemns as being a synagogue of Satan because they have refused to believe in Him.

1. Physical lineage has nothing to do with right relationship with God, even in regards to Israel

2. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is what makes a person a child of God.

c. True Prosperity is also Hope that Christ is Sovereign over our Trials and calls us to endure in our faithfulness to Him

i. More persecution is coming to Smyrna

ii. It is only by what Christ allows (the devil is going to throw some of you into prison)

1. Job

iii. Christ sets limits upon the trials for His church (ten days)

1. May be ten literal days or “a brief time”

a. Either way, God puts a limit to how long He allows the devil to try His people

b. He also puts a limit that only some would be thrown into prison (He would keep a remnant alive)

d. Christ never promises nor guarantees a long and prosperous life for those who love and follow Him

i. He does promise to be with them

ii. He does promise us something greater than a temporary life of prosperity

IV. Receive True Life - vs. 11

a. We are all dying one way or another

b. But not all die twice

c. Christ is wanting to bless us with something greater than temporary life, He wants to give us eternal life with Him

d. Christ is not as concerned with our physical life here on earth for 80-90 years as He is with our eternal salvation

In fact, the suffering of this current world is nothing compared to the glory of what Christ has for us.

Romans 8:18 ESV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Do not give up too soon and miss out on the life that Christ has for you that is not even worth comparing to the hardships of this life.

e. This world was never meant to be our home and trials of this life is God’s blessings towards His people to remind them not to get too comfortable here

f. These trials keep us looking to Christ rather than depending on our physical comforts.  They keep us waiting on His return and being obedient about what He’s called us to instead of being distracted by temporary pleasures.

g. Blessings by Laura Story We pray for blessings We pray for peace Comfort for family, protection while we sleep We pray for healing, for prosperity We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering All the while, You hear each spoken need Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things 'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears What if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise We pray for wisdom Your voice to hear And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love As if every promise from Your Word is not enough All the while, You hear each desperate plea And long that we have faith to believe 'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears What if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise When friends betray us When darkness seems to win We know that pain reminds this heart That this is not, this is not our home It's not our home 'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears And what if a thousand sleepless nights Are what it takes to know You're near What if my greatest disappointments Or the achings of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy And what if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are Your mercies in disguise

V. Conclusion

a. Trials and suffering come to purify us and draw us closer to God and to keep our eyes on Christ

i. It is only in the presence of Christ that there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11): You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

b. Trials come to remind us this is not our final home

c. Trials come to help us let go of the things we have a firm grasp on

d. Trials help us show the world that Christ is infinitely more valuable than anything we could gain here on earth