Hope for the Future Revelation 2:8-11

Intro

Biblical hope is one of the most misunderstood words in our cultural vocabulary. In modern usage, "hope" is a synonym for wishful thinking — "I hope it doesn't rain," "I hope I get the job." It carries an undertone of uncertainty, a fingers-crossed optimism with no anchor.

But the biblical concept of hope is something altogether different. 

Scriptural hope is expectation grounded in the character and promises of God. It is not a wish; it is an anchor .confident Hebrews 6:19 

It is not uncertainty; it is assurance of things not yet seen. Romans 8:24-25 

Christian hope is forward-leaning, eschatologically charged, and morally transforming — the person who genuinely possesses it lives differently now because of what they are certain is coming.

Hope sits in the great triad of  — "faith, hope, and love" — and it functions as the bridge between faith (which looks to the finished work of Christ) and love (which works itself out in the present).1 Corinthians 13:13 

Hope holds the believer steady between the already of Christ's first coming and the not yet of His return. 

WE can have for our future

Christ has Overcome Death vs. 8

We can have hope in our future because Jesus overcame death

The church in Smyrna is known as the suffering church

It was located in present day Izmir, population 250K

The citys wealth was second only to Ephesus

It was along a major trade route from Persia to Rome

The name Smyrna comes from the word myrrh, a sweet-smelling perfume used in embalming dead bodies.

This is significant because when Myrrh is crush it gives off a fragrant smell

Jesus was anointed with myrrh and he was crushed

Smyrna is being crushed and Jesus tells them that they are giving off that fragrance too

The First and the Last are titles that belong only to the LORD, Yahweh, according to Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, and 48:12.

Revelation 1:17–18 ESV

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Who was dead, and came to life: Jesus chose this title from His initial appearance to John (Revelation 1:18) to remind the Christians in Smyrna that they served the risen Lord, victorious over death. Death could not hold Jesus, and it cannot hold His people.

The association with death – and the victory of resurrection – is throughout this letter.

Christ knows your suffering (v. 9)

We can have hope for the future because Christ knows your suffering

In Smyrna, Jesus knew their works, tribulation, and poverty.

He knows these hardships both in the sense that He saw what happened to them, and in the sense that He knew their hardships by His personal experience.

The most famous martyr in Smyrna was Polycarp

He was the Bishop of the church

He was the last living disciple of John

In his nineties they arrested him and demanded he burn incense to the Roman Emporer

He refused to so they tied him to the stake and attempted to burn him

Before they lit the flame they gave him a chance to recant

His famous reply, “I have serve Jesus 86 years and he has never once done me wrong.”

They lit the fire but Polycarp didn’t burn so they had to stab him with a spear

After he died the persecution stopped

The church of Smyrna knew persecution

Poverty: According to history, Smyrna was a prosperous city. Yet the Christians there were poor.

“The word used for ‘poverty’ is the word for abject poverty. They were not just poor.”

The Christians of Smyrna knew poverty because they were robbed and fired from jobs in persecution for the gospel.

Hebrews 10:34 ESV

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

This kind of economic persecution was one important reason why Christians were poor in Smyrna.

Even today, this is a common form of persecution against Christians.

They were also being presecuted by so called Jew

Jesus calls them the church of Satan

They were trying to force the Christians to add good works to the Gospel

Beware of people who add to the Gospel

Salvation comes from faith alone

Christ gives you courage (v. 10a)

WE can have hope for our future because Christ gives us courage

Do not fear: Literally, this is better translated “stop being afraid.”

The Christians in Smyrna suffered under persecution, and they were afraid.

Sometimes we think that Christians who endure persecution are almost super-human, and we sometimes don’t appreciate the depths of fear they struggle with.

There were things which they were about to suffer, and Jesus wanted them ready to stand against those things.

Biblical courage flows from God’s presence, protection, guidance, and empowerment, with Yahweh as its singular source

Psalm 27:1 ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

There is a lot of debate about the phrase being tested for 10 days

Some scholars believe that it means ten years

Others believe it represents the 10 evil Roman emperors between 85 AD and 325 AD

In reality it was probably 10 intense day of persecution

Christ crowns your faithfulness (v. 10b-11)

We can have hope for the future because Christ crowns our faithfulness

vs. 10b Be faithful unto death

Smyrna is one of two churches Jesus didn’t have a complaint against

Instead of getting into trouble they were busy suffering

So Jesus promises them a crown

This is one of five crowns believers can earn before laying them at Jesus feet one day

Here we see the crown of life

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

there is also the incorruptible crown

1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

The crown of rejoicing

the crown of righteousness

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

The crown of glory

The one who overcomes will escape the second death

The second death is the lake of fire

Revelation 20:14–15 ESV

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Do you have an ear for what the Lord is saying?

Are you hearing what Jesus is laying down

Have you put your faith in Jesus