RICH IN FAITH
Notes
Transcript
8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says:
9 I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.
The Church of Smyrna
The Church of Smyrna
8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says:
Remember that the first church we studied, the church at Ephesus, was the closest church to the Island of Patmos.
Smyrna is located 35 miles north of there. That’s about like traveling from here to Albertville.
Smyrna is still in existence today.
Smyrna comes from the word Myrrh, a common perfume. One of the gifts the wise men brought to the young child Jesus.
It was a very wealthy place, but the church was suffering in every way, including economically.
It is the same today, especially among Muslim controlled companies, that Christian folks can’t find work, and Christian businesses are slowly choked out.
The Description of Jesus
The Description of Jesus
8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says:
Jesus is seen as eternal.
Jesus is seen as the one who started everything and will finish everything.
Jesus is seen as the one who had suffered and died, but the grace could not hold King Jesus.
This would have been a great comfort the the suffering Smyrnans and should be a great comfort to us as our culture continues to shift rapidly away from a biblical worldview, and any sense of Judeo-Christian morality.
Good Qualities
Good Qualities
Affliction- persecution- troubled- suffering- pressured- under hardship- distressed- in tribulation
That doesn’t sound like a good quality. But wait, there’s more.
Dirt Poor-
There are a couple of words in the Bible used to describe poverty.
Just for comparison, we have all experienced end of the month poor. Mayonnaise sandwiches (which I thought were pretty good as a kid). The kind of poor where the money keeper in the family says to the teacher in family, money is going to be tight this week, don’t buy anything for your classroom.
Then there is have to declare bankruptcy, lose everything, hopeless, and in some cases suicidal poverty. That is the word that is being used here.
These people are under intense squeezing. Today in many parts of the world, Muslim controlled countries put the squeeze on anyone not a Muslim. You are a social outcast, a family outcast, an economic outcast.
Their persecution is coming from
Again, it is doesn’t seem like a positive quality to be afflicted and dirt poor. BUT THERE IS MORE TO THE STORY THAN MEETS THE EYE!
THEY ARE RICH!
How is that possible?
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He has promised to those who love Him?
16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,
17 and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
I’ve heard someone say right now the pay is not good, but the benefits are out of this world.
They were rich in faith and hope and love.
And if you are a believer so are you.
I remember studying a lot of the “red book” songs about heaven and realizing that they were written in the great depression or other times when it was hard on earth.
You may be feeling like things are horrible right now. You may be afflicted. You may be struggling, but in the long haul, and WHERE IT COUNTS, you are rich!
Remember that when you are being squeezed.
Negative Quality
Negative Quality
Absolutely awesome.
This church that is being squeezed by the world, by other religions, and ultimately by Satan Himself received no admonition from the the Lord. Nothing but praise.
This doesn’t mean they were perfect. It does not mean that they have arrived at some kind of sinless sanctification before the Lord,
1. It does mean that they are walking close and clean.
2. It does mean that they seeking to serve the Lord faithfully.
3. It may mean that they persecution they are receiving has winnowed out the real deal from the fake.
Here is a church filled with people and God is saying to them “WELL DONE! STAY IN IT!”
Encouragement
Encouragement
10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.
Don’t be afraid…
Doesn’t say because you won’t have problems.
Because of what you are about to suffer.
God is the God who knows what is ahead. (Don’t miss… what you are about to suffer. )
Most folks seem to think that the 10 day period here is not a literal 10 days but represents a brief time.
We do know that Polycarp, the pastor of Smyrna who was a contemporary of John’s was martyred for his faith.
Again note that Satan is behind this. I think the question of why God allows Satan to do thus and such is one that will not be answered this side of eternity. Remember these are the words of Jesus That Satan was behind this.
A little play on words. faithful unto death, crown of life.
The victor- The overcomer- never harmed by the second death.
Born once- die twice.
Born twice- die one.