SF403 - TENDER WORDS FOR TOUGH TIMES (Revelation 2 8-11)
Revelation 2:8‑11
INTRODUCTION
A Practical View
angel = messenger/pastor
Smyrna = also translated myrrh = sweet perfume when crushed ‑ this was the suffering church, it was a beautiful Greek city.
Wide streets, place of culture, had a temple to Zeus. Is modern day Izmir, Turkey.
Could call it the rich little poor church.
Ø Good little church serving at the door steps of hell.
"When God opens the windows of heaven to bless us. Satan will open the doors of Hell to blast us." Leonard Ravenhill
This is God's message to a church facing persecution.
A Prophetic View
What does it mean now?
Ø The curtain of history is coming to a close.
A Personal View
Ø What does it mean to me personally?
Ø There is a message for our church today.
We need to hear what God is saying to us who may be called on to suffer for Him.
1A. THE TROUBLE OF THE CHURCH
1B. The Persecution They Suffered (9a)
tribulation = thlipsis, pressure ‑afflicted, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. ‑ Used to described the crushing of someone to death ‑ i.e. crushing of grapes
The cause to their tribulation
Ø This comes to them because of their stand for Christ.
Ø Pluralistic city ‑ many gods
Ø Pagan city ‑ everyone had to worship the emperor ‑ everyone was to proclaim "Caesar is Lord"
The Christian would only say "Christ is Lord"
Today we equate Christianity with an easy life ‑ this is not true
The comfort in their tribulation (8b)
"I know" (9)
Ø He knows and shares our hurt!
2B. The Poverty They Faced (9b)
Why?
They could not get a job
Ø Pagan gilds built around idol worship excluded Christians
Ø Refused to worship Caesar ‑ lost all.
Christ understands what it means to loose all
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV) 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
3B. The Profanity They Endured (9c)
The source of the slander
Ø There was a colony of Jews that were profaning the name of Christ and the Christian.
Ø The Jewish synagogue had become a synagogue of Satan because it opposed Christ.
The certainty of the slander
Ø We too will be blasphemed!
Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV) 11“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The conditions of the slander
Ø The slander must be false.
Ø The slander must be because of our stand for Christ.
2A. THE TRAILS OF THE CHURCH
1B. The Human Perspective – Misery (10a)
No one wants to suffer.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2B. The Satanic Perspective ‑ Mystery
Satan hates the church.
When you talk against the church ‑ you talk like Satan.
3B. The Divine Perspective ‑ Ministry
A Divine reason – to test you
Ø May be disciplinary
1 Corinthians 11:30-32 (NKJV) 30For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
Ø May be preventative
2 Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV) 7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
Ø May be instructive
Hebrews 5:8 (NKJV) 8though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV) 3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Ø May be purifying
Acts 9:16 (NKJV) 16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
1 Peter 1:7 (NKJV) 7that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Divine restriction
Ø Why ten?
"ten days" = ten definite periods of tribulation
ten is the complete number (ten fingers)
Ø There will be a complete persecution
Ø There would be ten Roman Emperors who would persecute the Church.
3A. THE TRIUMPH OF THE CHURCH
1B. Share In Christ's Cross (10b)
He is over all things (8a)
He suffered for us (8b)
Polycarp was the pastor of this church. He refused to worship Caesar. He said "Eighty and six years have I served Him and He has never wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?"
They sought to burn him at the stake. He stood in the fire without struggle and died praising God for the opportunity of suffering for Christ.
You may not be asked to die at the stake but…
Ø Can we not die to self.
Ø Can we not die to our sin.
Ø Can we not die to this vile world.
Ø Can we not die to our plans and ambitions.
Ø Can we not say that "Jesus Christ is Lord"
Ø Can we not go out tomorrow and live for Jesus!
2B. Sharing In Christ's Crown
Enduring supremacy (10b)
Ø The Test Of True Wealth
Add up everything you have that money cannot buy and death cannot take away.
Assurance of eternal life!
APPLICATION
Are You Facing Tough Times?
Ask...
Is God disciplining me for some sin?
Is God trying to keep me from some sin?
Is God trying to teach me some lesson?
Is God purifying my witness?
Remember
God is in control.
Satan cannot ultimately win.
You can trust God.
TENDER WORDS FOR TOUGH TIMES
Sunday, May 2, 1999 - Revelation 2:8‑11
1A. THE _________________________ OF THE CHURCH
1B. The Persecution They Suffered (9a)
The ____________________ to their tribulation
The ____________________ in their tribulation (8b)
2B. The ____________________ They Faced (9b)
Christ understands what it means to _____________ all
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV) 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
3B. The Profanity They Endured (9c)
The ____________________ of the slander
The ______________________ of the slander
Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV) 11“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The conditions of the slander
2A. THE _______________________ OF THE CHURCH
1B. The _______________ Perspective – Misery (10a)
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2B. The _________________ Perspective ‑ Mystery
Satan hates the church.
3B. The ____________________ Perspective ‑ Ministry
A Divine _____________________ – to test you
Ø May be disciplinary (1 Corinthians 11:30-32)
Ø May be preventative (2 Corinthians 12:7)
Ø May be instructive (Hebrews 5:8; Romans 5:3-5)
Ø May be purifying (Acts 9:16; 1 Peter 1:7)
Divine _____________________
3A. THE TRIUMPH OF THE CHURCH
1B. Share In Christ's ___________________ (10b)
He is over all things (8a)
He suffered for us (8b)
2B. Sharing In Christ's _______________
Enduring supremacy (10b)
Assurance of eternal life!