In the second letter to the 7 churches, Jesus commends the church in Smyrna and has nothing against them. This should be the church we would want to be a part of. But, as believers, there is still a cost. Those who follow Jesus are often looked down upon to say the least. Many are persecuted; believers in John’s day as well as many places today are imprisoned, beaten or killed for their faith. But most of the time the church that is persecuted is the strongest. People who are persecuted have the strongest faith and have the most boldness. It is through our struggles and suffering and that we grow as people and as believers. And whatever we go through in this life will not compare to the glory we will receive in the next.
Revelation 2:8-11
“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: “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. 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. “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.” ‘
Jesus has praise for the church in Smyrna about being discerning. Much like the church in Ephesus, there were false teachers trying to come in and distort the Bible. It is a lesson for us today that we need to watch out for those false teachers and not have anything to do with them. Many will teach a lot of truths and throw in a lie here and there. When you hear a sermon or a teaching, or when looking for a new church, do some research on that person or church and always follow it up with scripture. Sometimes they come off sounding good, and then want to add or change something from what the Bible truly says. Start by asking this: Do they preach that Jesus is the Son of God and salvation is by grace through His death and resurrection? Do they talk about sin and the reason we all need salvation? Do they always use scripture? And does their teaching follow the Bible, or do they pull a scripture here and there to fit their teaching?
2 John 1:7-11
For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
Some harsh words from John. As with the people of Smyrna, and as we will see the church of Pergamos failed to do, we need to be discerning and not listen to false teachers or have anything to do with them. As believers, we need to test their authenticity. What do they teach? What is their doctrine and their values? Does what they teach agree with scripture? We need to stand firm in our faith, even through persecution. Apparently the church of Smyrna did just that, and Jesus gave them encouragement that though they will be imprisoned for what they believe, they will receive a reward that is everlasting: the crown of life.
Romans 8:15-18
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
No matter what we may suffer in this life, no matter how much persecution comes our way, it will not compare to what we will receive in heaven. Jesus promises us that the world will hate us for following him and there will be persecution, but He also promises us so much more…eternal life and an inheritance in heaven, to be children of God. There is no greater gift, no better hope than that.
John 15:18-16:3
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
Many have persecuted and will persecute believers, because they hate what (or Who) we represent or because they follow a different God (or what society has to offer) and feel threatened by the truth. In America, we are blessed in that we are not being persecuted in the extreme ways that many are (at least, not yet), but many throughout the world are. In many ways we are not blessed, because those who are put to the test have a stronger faith and the church is stronger (our test is remaining faithful and dependent on God, putting Him first above all else when society offers us so much materially). Thank God for our freedom but let us not get complacent, because of it and be sure that Christ is the center of our lives and nothing else, and we should be praying for our brothers and sisters for their suffering for Christ and supporting them any way we can.
Hebrews 13:1-3
Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
Let us be strong in our faith and love one another as Christ has loved us. And may we endure to the end, not matter what. Because of God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice, we can endure and be faithful, and His promise is that we will be written in the Book or Life and not be part of the second death, but have eternal life with Him.
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
So what is the second death? I believe this is eternal death, hell, the lake of fire, eternal torment, separation from God. Not a place anyone wants to be and not a place God wants any of us to be.
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Revelation 20:14-15
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
The Lord wants all of us to believe and have eternal life. He is calling each of us and we have a choice. He patiently waits for each of us to choose Him.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
For God so loved the world…
My Daily Scriptures 