SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 05-07-2020
LESSON: 956
TOPIC: PRESERVATION OF THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
MEMORY VERSE: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
TEXT: Revelation 2:8-11
The revelation of God in the four verses that constitute our text is profound as it conveys a message of comfort and commendation to the church in Smyrna - in the then Asia Minor - which was undergoing persecution. The angel or bishop of this church, to which the letter of John was addressed, was said to be Polycarp - one of the early church fathers. He was also a disciple of the Apostle John. At the age of eighty-six, he was burned at the stake for refusing to renounce his faith in Christ. Some of his last words were: "for eighty-six years, I have been His (Christ's) servant, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" It is no wonder therefore, that the church in Smyrna was such a courageous, faultless and faithful church. Christ, from whom nothing is hidden, found no fault with the church in Smyrna; the leaders, workers and members were like their leader. Historical accounts had it that Polycarp was a man of strong scriptural conviction and sanctification.
His life was faultless and it deeply influenced members of the church. This emphasises the members to live sound Christian lives. Though believers in Smyrna were under pressure, suffering, persecution and trials, they held on to their scriptural conviction. Therefore, the Lord commended and promised to stand by them till the end when they shall receive the crown of life. All true believers in Christ will face persecutions on account of their steadfastness in the faith. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). But those who endure to the end shall be rewarded.
Persecution is an act of harassing, oppressing or maltreating believers because of their faith in Christ. It is suffering for righteousness' sake. However, persecution strengthens the church when it is handled with the right perception. It produces perseverance, patience, spiritual strength, self-examination and conviction (Romans 5:3). As the brethren in Smyrna overcame, every faithful believer can overcome.
Question 1: What is the role of sound leadership in a church?
PROCLAMATION AND AFFIRMATION BY CHRIST, THE FIRST AND THE LAST (Revelation 2.17,18 22:13; 21:6; Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; P 24 / 48 3-3 John 14:6; 10:9; 8:58; Hebrews 2:14-11)
Jesus commences His short letter to the church in Smyrna with an introduction of Himself: "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive" (Revelation 2:8). Christ is the eternal Son of God. As the First and the Last, He is the beginning and the end of all things; He was at the commencement of all things and will be when everything ceases to be. He is the Originator and Creator of all things. He says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Revelation 22:13). He was before all things He is co-equal with the Almighty God (Revelation 1:8). He is the root and offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16). As He "which was dead, and is alive", Christ incarnated as the Son of man in order to redeem mankind from sin. His incarnation became necessary so as to shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins (John 1:14; Matthew 26:28). He was crucified and buried but He rose again the third day. His resurrection is a definite fact of Scripture with many infallible proofs (Luke 24:5,6,23; Acts 1:3). This guarantees the believers' justification and victory over sin (Romans 4:25). All who wish to be justified and saved from their sins are admonished to repent of their sinfulness and surrender to Christ (John 3:16).
Question 2: How can a sinner partake of the justification and forgiveness of Christ?
After His resurrection, Christ ascended to heaven to sit on the right hand of the Father where He intercedes continually for His people. Because He is alive forever more, those who obey Him will resurrect on the last day to be with Him in heaven.
PERSECUTION AND AGONY OF CHRIST'S FAITHFUL CHURCH
(Revelation 2:9, 10; Romans 8:18; Matthew 10:17-22; 24:9; Luke 21:12; John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12; Exodus 1:11,12; Hebrews 10:32,33; Matthew 5:10-12; Acts 5:24-28; 16:22-24; 20:24)
"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which Thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:9,10). Twice here, Christ says, “I know". He has a perfect knowledge of everything concerning every human on the face of the earth. He knows our private and public Life and sees into the innermost part of our hearts He knew the works of the believers in Smyrna and their refusal to bow down to Caesar as deity and god. He God moderates the trials and persecutions of His children (1 Corinthians 10:13). Six, persecutions and trials are unavoidable (2 Timothy 3:12).
knew their unwavering loyalty and uncompromising faithfulness to the word of God, as well as their undivided devotion, refusal to associate with idol worshippers and also knows the material and financial lack of this church, but He assured them that their physical poverty, notwithstanding, they were better off with the riches of faith, grace and good works (Ephesians 1:3). Christ knows what we are going through as His disciples: the challenges we face in the course of preaching the gospel, the misrepresentations we encounter when standing for the truth, the persecution from unbelievers and false brethren, etc. However, He admonishes us to continue steadfastly to the end. Furthermore, Christ says, “...I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not but are the synagogue of Satan". In the Roman Empire at that time, the worship of Caesar was exalted to proof the loyalty of the citizens. It was also a condition for work permits and civil privileges. The Christians who refused to compromise were deprived of many legitimate things for not submitting to this abomination. Unfortunately, some unbelieving Jews worshipped Caesar, persecuted the believers and reported those who refused to compromise to the authorities.
From the lives of the Christians in Smyrna, we learn that: one, believers should take heed not to be deceived into worshipping other gods (Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 17:3). Two, as the unbelieving Jews betrayed their fellow Jews, sometimes, persecutors may not be outright strangers (Matthew 10:36). Three, uncompromising stand for the truth always attracts opposition. Four, material wealth or lack of it may not be an expression or rejection of divine approval. Five, Seven, God is aware of the pains believers encounter in their bid to please Him and will surely intervene.
Eight, believers going through persecution and challenges of life should not fear. God foreknows the future trials and agony of His people and forewarns them against the tactics of the devil designed to discourage them. Nine, the devil raises persecution against believers with the hope of making them compromise their stand, drop their convictions and relapse into the old life of sin Believers who will overcome should look unto Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith". They should remain faithful, courageous and dauntless during persecution because the Almighty God is ever with His children. Bible characters like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Paul and Barnabas, Peter, Daniel and Joseph, all passed through intense persecutions and pains but God preserved them triumphantly.
Question 3: What should be a believer's disposition in times of suffering and persecution?
Just as the Lord admonished Christians in Smyrna not to ſear, the same He says to believers today. " Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
"(Revelation 2:10). Fear ensnares the souls, weakens our resolve to stand for the truth, destroys our faith and leads to compromise.
Those who will wear the crown of righteousness on the last day must resolve to be courageous in the face of threat and intimidation to their faith. Jesus says to the believers in Smyrna that their persecution would be for ten days; that is, for a short time. Temptations, trials and persecutions do not last forever; hence, the motivation to endure because great rewards await us if we make it finally to heaven. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Question 4: What is the aim of the devil for raising persecution against believers?
PROMISE OF REWARD AND PRESERVATION OF THE FEARLESS CHURCH
(Revelation 2:10,11; Psalm 31:23; Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 41:10,11; Hebrews 13:5,6; Jeremiah 15:21; 31:11; Deuteronomy 3:22; Romans 8:35,37; Matthew 5:10-12)
Each letter or message from Christ to the churches ends with a promise to overcome’s. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (Revelation 2:11). Christ calls individuals and churches to hear and obey the word of God and become overcome’s and partakers of the promised eternal reward and blessings (Matthew 7:21-27).
Question 5: What are the gains for the believers that overcome persecutions and trials in this world?
Christ concludes His message by declaring that overcomer’s "... shall not be hurt of the second death" (Revelation 2:11). The second death is total separation from the Lord forever to live in the lake of fire (Revelation
20:10; 21:8). To avert the danger of going to hell, sinners should repent of their sins and accept Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour (Luke 13:3,5). Backsliders should return to the Lord and make restitutions, where necessary. True believers must resolve to endure trials, persecutions and pains, and remain fearless until the end. God has promised to preserve His children from the scourge of the enemy until they cross over to be with Him for all eternity.
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