Revelation 2:8-11

I heard a sermon last night and thought it was amazing and just wanted to share it with a few of you.

Revelation 2:8-11

“And to the angel for the church in Smyrna write: “The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 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. 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. 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.”

Background: This is to the church of Smyrna, which is one of the only churches in Revelation that Jesus talks about where he praises them for what they are doing. Other churches he condemns but this one he praises them but for what? This church was suffering big time for Jesus because they would not praise Caesar like the other citizens were but instead they praised Jesus. These people were most likely slaves and for a slave to go against the Caesar was probably the most severe punishment and which most likely led to death. This was all for the name of Jesus. The Jews of that time hated anyone who praised Jesus and would tell Caesar to punish these people and destroy them…and Caesar did. That is the background of these people’s tribulation. But lets break it down. Break open your Bible and read it.

Verse 8: talks about these words are indeed from Jesus for he is the first and the last and died for us so you know they are true. Jesus also identifies himself as the Redeemer and Savior here.

Verse 9: is the most intense “I know your tribulation and your poverty…” To know in the Bible at times was to have a deep knowing and understanding almost that of mating with your husband or wife. This is such a personal knowing. That is what Jesus is saying is that he fully feels and understands their tribulation and trials they are in.

Verse 10: God allows the devil here to ambush and squash these people for TEN days because he knew that these people were faithful. Think about that God had the power to stop anything but he wanted these people to suffer for his glory. Sounds harsh but actually it is so beautiful. The Creator trusts them to praise him through these tribulations because he knew they could handle it. It doesn’t mean they weren’t complaining cause they probably were. But it was that they knew the end result was going to be Jesus. I mean these people were saying ya put me in prison because I will just talk about Jesus there and show his glory. Or okay you want to kill me then kill me for Jesus’s glory. Wow what a faith that is! These people got it that God would give them the ultimate award for their life for their trials and that this world was not their world.

Verse 11: I personally think this is said for people after this. For let us open our ears and hearts for what the Spirit is saying to these churches in the past and learn from them. Whatever we face or whatever they faced is nothing to what our Savior faced. But because of our tribulation the second coming of Jesus will not hurt us. We are able to rejoice in the second coming because we know it is our salvation from the tribulation.

Oh man I just thought this was such a good message of just a few verses. Whatever trial we are facing God trusts us with that tribulation. It wont be easy but he will understand and fully know what you are going through.

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.

I love you all.

In Him