The Christian Life Smyrna’s Example
John writing in the book of Revelations records these words of Jesus,
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
I know your afflictions and your 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.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of 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. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11.
The church at Smyrna apparently had it hard. Smyrna was major sea port. It was one of the places Roman imperial cult was present. That along with a large Jewish population who probably didn’t agree with believers in Christ made it hard for these Christians.
What is notable about the church of Smyrna is despite the persecution these early believers kept the faith,
Jesus does not say anything against them. He warns them that there will be what most commentators say is a short period of persecution. Then encourages them saying,
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
This is the way it is for true believers today. We may from time to time undergo persecution, and certainly there are many places in the world today where believers in Christ are being persecuted. However no matter what we go through if we keep the faith, Jesus promises us a crown of life.
There is something we should however note here. There are many in North America where I live who say they are being persecuted when they are not. They are simply breaking the law.
It’s one thing to be persecuted for what we believe in. If we suffer in such a way we will inherit a crown of life.
However if we deliberately break a law passed by a secular government that does not prevent us from practising our faith as we wish, or restrict our rights or rights of others then that I believe is sin.
We should not be protesting against anything that is lawful unless it brings harm to ourselves or others. Even then we should be doing so peacefully and with respect to those who disagree with us.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 1Peter 2:13-16
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
Please think about it.
John writing in the book of Revelations records these words of Jesus,
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
I know your afflictions and your 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.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of 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. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11.
The church at Smyrna apparently had it hard. Smyrna was major sea port. It was one of the places Roman imperial cult was present. That along with a large Jewish population who probably didn’t agree with believers in Christ made it hard for these Christians.
What is notable about the church of Smyrna is despite the persecution these early believers kept the faith,
Jesus does not say anything against them. He warns them that there will be what most commentators say is a short period of persecution. Then encourages them saying,
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
This is the way it is for true believers today. We may from time to time undergo persecution, and certainly there are many places in the world today where believers in Christ are being persecuted. However no matter what we go through if we keep the faith, Jesus promises us a crown of life.
There is something we should however note here. There are many in North America where I live who say they are being persecuted when they are not. They are simply breaking the law.
It’s one thing to be persecuted for what we believe in. If we suffer in such a way we will inherit a crown of life.
However if we deliberately break a law passed by a secular government that does not prevent us from practising our faith as we wish, or restrict our rights or rights of others then that I believe is sin.
We should not be protesting against anything that is lawful unless it brings harm to ourselves or others. Even then we should be doing so peacefully and with respect to those who disagree with us.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 1Peter 2:13-16
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men
and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
If we are doing as the writer of Hebrews is telling us to do, and are still being persecuted then we are doing things the way God intended us to do. And we will inherit a crown of life.Please think about it.
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