Be Loyal until Death (Revelation 2:8-11)

Be Loyal until Death (Revelation 2:8-11)

 

⁸ “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: ⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until 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. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

 

Intro)

 

1. Everyone wants to live a happy life. In book store books deal with happiness or success sells well.

 

But, who actually lives happy life? People, who satisfy with their job and putting passion into it, live happy lives. Happiness comes from our heart. How much of stuff and money we have don’t give us happiness, not necessarily. Although we work hard to make the happiness sometimes it just don’t fit quite well. Human is spiritual animal. We can’t just live a life with food, and that is why we need to find true happiness from Jesus.

 

  2. Today’s bible verse what Saint Paul told to Smyrna Church in Turkey. Smyrna church is located around Ephesus, this city has beautiful port, and people called jewel of Asia or flower.

  This city showed great loyalty to Rome, so used to get lots of benefits from Rome. They worship idolatry and roman Emperor

 

 City of Smyrna was developed in education, science, medical, and trade, so they were wealthy. Jewish had high positions in this city, so they earned lots of money and worked with Roman Empire. Later on when church came in the area people persecute the church. Through persecution from Jewish church of Smyrna worked hard and didn’t lose faith to God. At the end church was known for its loyalty. Let’s see what the reasons are.

 

Body)

 

A) Smyrna Church Jesus compliments

 

1. In Revelation 2: 8-9 says, ⁸ “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: ⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich);…’

 

Indeed. Through our lives we need to work to be recognized, and earn compliments from Jesus.

We have bad habit of doing work only when someone is looking, because Jesus sees us, so we should be working whenever we have to.

Also keeping the time for the promise will show that we can be a good worker of God.

 

2. Smyrna Church was living in persecution. Especially, Smyrna Church rejected to serve idolatry that was from Rome, so they were in persecution from surrounding.

 

3. Jewish step forward and persecute Christians. Jewish thought Christians were from Jewish’s Heresy. Lots of Christians in that area spent time in jail and lost their assets.

 

4. However, Jesus said, ⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich);…’ Jesus knew the pain and situation and to encourage them Jesus gave them compliments. When we have faith in Jesus we will face persecution of this world, but we should remain where we stand and keep our faith, then Jesus will reward us with compliments.

 

 

B) Secondly Smyrna was the church overcame persecution.

1. in Revelation 2: 9-10 says, ⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.’

Jewish who held high position at Smyrna was Jewish from Jerusalem when it fall they came down here and hold hands with Rome and earned power. These Jewish spread rumor about church when they came, which are like for fellowship of love they are having is perverted act, and Communion service was what they eat human flesh and blood. So that is why Jesus said “I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”

 

 

4. Even in Korea there are many martyrs. Among them there is Pastor Gichul Chu. His Son wrote a book ‘My father martyr Pastor Gichul Chu’ there is a content saying ‘pastors had to go to the jail so much because they were opposed to Japanese’s Shinto shrine.’ When they were brought to the jail they were tortured and later on Pastor Chu couldn’t bare and passed away from the torture. When Pastor Chu passed his church members moaned. Pastor’s Chu’s wife came and said to them “This is not the time to moan. It’s time to pray. Chu just didn’t die because he was weak, or dumb. He died because it was only right path. only who carries the cross with Christ will share the glory.”

  

In fact Pastor Chu’s wife brought to the jail many times and tortured, but she took it with Pastor Chu to share God’s glory. When Pastor Chu passed away his son was in shock and couldn’t speak for many years. 1year and 4 months after pastor Chu passed Korea became independent. Mother was became weary she was about to pass away from stomach cancer. one day people from government came and president was impressed of pastor Chu’s work how he was opposed against Japanese, so wanted to reward with money, but mother reject and said they did it only because to spread God’s glory and not for world’s reward. Son was thinking to himself ‘we probably going to need that money for medical bill and such for mom…’ anyhow mother figured son’s thinking and told him to read Psalms 37 :25-26. ‘²⁵ I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
²⁶ He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.’

  

 

2. Smyrna church lost everything from persecution, but spiritually rich, and pastor lost everything, but spiritually he was rich.

 

C) Church that beat idolatry

 

1. Area of Smyrna had idolatry of Son god, and worshiping Emperor. During festival time there was many people gather and church was on their eye sore. There is a story of Polycarp. He is admired by town people and he was in charge of Smyrna church. When people gathered they said “Kill whoever is opposed to emperor and Rome!”

They captured Polycarp. They asked him to give offering to sun god and roman Emperor, then they will let him go, but Polycarp said “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved Me?....I bless Thee for deigning me worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ.” and then, Polycarp bravely burnt to death.

 

Even people who believe in Jesus fears death. But we can face persecution and hardships, because there is high reward in heaven. How hard and fearful persecution we face we shall never betray our God.

 

2. Saint Paul said in Romans 14:8 ‘⁸ For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.’

 

Tribulation that comes to us is blessing. When we overcome there will be God’s grace and blessing.

 

Con)

 

Revelation 2: 10-11 says,

¹⁰  … Be faithful until 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. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

Let’s be faithful until death and we will be glorious eternally. Jesus will give us crown of life, which will last forever. Hallelujah!

 

021718 Pastor; Ik Sun Ahn