Shadows of the Tribulation: The Faithful Under Fire

GB Conference Message #1: Suffering, Spiritual Warfare, and the Persecuted Church

Revelation 2:8–17 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.’ 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

CHRIST IS NOT ABSENT FROM A SUFFERING CHURCH

When believers suffer, one of the first questions they ask is simple and honest: Why does this happen and Where is God? That question is not new, and it is not sinful. The churches of Revelation were asking the same question, and Jesus answered them—not with silence, but with clarity.

The book of Revelation is not only about the future. It is also about the present. Before Jesus reveals judgment, seals, trumpets, and bowls, He first reveals Himself walking among His churches. Revelation chapter 1 shows Christ standing in the middle of the lampstands, which represent the churches. This means Jesus is not distant from His people. He is present. He sees. He knows. He speaks.

The suffering church is not a forgotten church. The persecuted church is not an abandoned church. The church under pressure is the church under Christ’s watchful care.

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus writes to seven real churches, facing real trials, living in a hostile world. Two of those churches—Smyrna and Pergamum—speak directly to believers who are suffering and believers who are under spiritual attack. One church is crushed by persecution. The other is weakened by compromise. Together, they teach us how to live faithfully under fire in the last days.

SMYRNA: THE SUFFERING CHURCH (REVELATION 2:8–11)

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.’

Jesus begins His letter to Smyrna by reminding them of who He is: “The first and the last, who died and came to life.” This is not accidental. Smyrna is a suffering church, and suffering believers need to remember that the One who speaks to them has already passed through death and conquered it. Our Savior is not a distant observer of pain. He is the risen Lord who entered suffering Himself and emerged victorious.

Jesus then says something deeply personal: “I know your tribulation and your poverty.” He does not say, “I have heard about it.” He does not say, “I am aware in a general sense.” He says, “I know.” The word implies intimate, personal knowledge. Jesus knows their pressure. He knows their lack. He knows their hunger. He knows their fear. And He knows the slander spoken against them.

Smyrna was materially poor but spiritually rich. They had little in their hands, but they had much in Christ. This reminds us that suffering is not proof of God’s absence. In fact, Scripture often shows that suffering is evidence of God’s refining work.

Romans 8:19 ESV

19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 ESV

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Jesus also exposes the spiritual warfare behind their suffering. He speaks of slander and identifies it as coming from those who belong not to God but to Satan. This reminds us that not all opposition is merely human. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. The devil works through lies, intimidation, false accusations, and fear. But he is not sovereign. Jesus tells Smyrna that their suffering has a limit. “For ten days,” He says. Satan can test, but only within the boundaries God allows.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Then Jesus gives a command that feels almost impossible: “Do not fear… Be faithful unto death.” He does not promise immediate deliverance. He does not promise comfort. He promises something better—life beyond death. He promises a crown of life, and He promises that those who belong to Him will not be harmed by the second death.

Revelation 2:10 ESV

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. … Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

This is where the gospel shines most clearly. For the believer, death is not defeat. Death is a doorway. The worst thing that can happen to a Christian is not dying—it is denying Christ. Those who overcome through faith may lose their lives, but they will never lose their souls. Jesus reminds Smyrna that their suffering is temporary, but their reward is eternal.

PERGAMUM: THE COMPROMISED CHURCH (REVELATION 2:12–17)

Revelation 2:12–17 ESV

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Pergamum faced a different kind of attack. While Smyrna was crushed by persecution, Pergamum was pressured into compromise. Jesus introduces Himself here as the One who holds the sharp two-edged sword. This sword represents His Word—truth that pierces, exposes, and judges. Pergamum needed truth more than comfort.

Jesus acknowledges their faithfulness. They lived where Satan’s throne was. This was a spiritually hostile city, full of idolatry and emperor worship. Yet some believers held fast to Christ’s name, even when others were killed for their faith. This shows us that faithfulness is possible even in dark places. Darkness does not overcome light. Light shines brightest where darkness is deepest.

But Jesus also confronts Pergamum with a serious rebuke. They tolerated false teaching—teaching that led believers into idolatry and sexual immorality. He refers to Balaam, a figure from the Old Testament who led God’s people into sin through compromise rather than open attack. This is one of Satan’s favorite strategies. When persecution fails, seduction often succeeds.

False teaching does not usually arrive shouting lies. It arrives whispering half-truths. It tells believers they can hold Christ and still hold the world. It tells them obedience is optional, holiness is outdated, and truth can be adjusted to culture. But compromise always weakens spiritual authority. A church that blends in loses its witness.

Matthew 7:15 ESV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1 ESV

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

1 John 4:1–2 ESV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Galatians 1:8 ESV

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

1 Timothy 4:1–3 ESV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Jesus’ response is firm but merciful: “Repent.” Repentance is not condemnation; it is invitation. It is Christ calling His church back to life. Discipline is proof of love. Hebrews tells us that God disciplines those He loves, so that they may share in His holiness.

To those who overcome, Jesus promises hidden manna and a new name. This speaks of God’s provision, acceptance, and identity. The world offers satisfaction that fades. Christ offers nourishment that lasts forever. Those who refuse compromise may lose worldly approval, but they gain eternal reward.

PROPHETIC APPLICATION: LAST-DAYS PRESSURE AND OUR HOPE

The stories of Smyrna and Pergamum are not just history. They are prophecy in pattern. As we move closer to the end of the age, pressure on the church will increase. Some believers will face persecution. Others will face intense temptation to compromise. Scripture tells us that in the last days there will be deception, lawlessness, and apostasy. But Scripture also tells us that Christ will keep His Bride.\

We are not waiting for the Antichrist—we are waiting for the King. The suffering of this present age is not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed. Jesus has promised to come again, to gather His Church, and to rescue her from the coming wrath. The trumpet will sound, and the faithful will be caught up to be with the Lord forever.

Until that day, the call is clear:

Be faithful under pressure.

Be holy under fire.

Be hopeful until the trumpet

CLOSING APPEAL

To those who are suffering: Jesus knows. He sees. He walks among you.

To those who are tempted to compromise: Repent, and return to truth.

To those who do not know Christ: Today is the day of salvation.

The crown is coming.

The King is coming.

And the Church is not forgotten.