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Revelation 2:8-11
In Revelation 2:8-11 are the words written to the angel of the church in Smyrna. The author is noted as, “the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life” (Revelation 2:8, NKJV). The church at Smyrna was known as the suffering church described as living in “poverty” while yet being “rich” (Revelation 2:9). This is a commendation to them as in their earthly poverty, they were rich in their salvation and dedication to God through Christ Jesus amidst the persecution by the secular community against Christianity. Jesus encourages them to “not fear” the tribulation that is coming, but to remain faithful even unto death. For this they would receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Jesus then ends this letter to the church in Smyrna with a similar benediction as to the church at Ephesus by stating, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”, but then completes it with a new message declaring, “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11).
This is a message for the persecuted/suffering to remain faithful to Jesus Christ even unto death; for the reward is the crown of life (Revelation 2:10-11).
No one likes to be persecuted; no one likes to suffer. We all may at times question God as to “why” do we have to suffer if You are so good? Are You not supposed to set us free from suffering and persecution? But the truth is that we all suffer and are persecuted in this world; God did not promise to remove us from the pain and suffering of this world. And for those who refuse to put their faith in God because they don’t want to suffer – you suffer through pain and persecution too! Pain, suffering, and persecution are of this world. It is after we leave this world that there will be no more pain, suffering, or persecution – that is, for those who put their faith in Jesus and strive to follow Him in this world. For those is a reward of the crown of life. Jesus suffered in this world, and He was without sin; how much more do we deserve to suffer being with sin. The difference is that Jesus has promised to be with us through the pain, suffering, and persecution of this world and help us through it. Jesus declares in John 15:18 (NKJV), “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” Jesus suffered and died on the cross – without having sinned. The least we can do is to accept His gift to us of eternal life for paying our price for sin, which is death. But the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). Open your heart to Jesus today and He will help you through your pain, suffering, and persecution; and more than that, He will give you the gift of life, forever in heaven with Him in His glory.
Dear LORD,
Please help us all to understand that You did not cause us to sin; You did not create us to sin, but You did create us out of Your great love; and in that is the command of obedience to You. But in the command of obedience to You entails the option of refusing to be obedient to Your command. It is our own fault, not Yours, that sin entered the world. Please forgive us and help us to see that Jesus is the only way to overcome the pain, suffering, and persecution of this world – even unto death. For being faithful to You, You will give us the crown of life. Thank You LORD God Almighty our Creator for loving us so much as to send Your One and only Son to save us. In Jesus name I pray, amen.