FAITHFUL IN THE FIRE Message, January 25, 2009

Preached at Hebron Baptist Church, January 25, 2009 by Pastor Joe Alain

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:8-11

I find it difficult to see myself in this passage. I don’t know what it’s like to really suffer as the Christians in Smyrna. We may never have to face what Smryna’s most famous citizen faced. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna was martyred on Saturday, February 23, A. D. 155. Before his death he had a dream in which he saw a pillow under his head burning with fire. He told his flock “I must be burned alive.” After he was arrested, some encouraged him to moderate his position and confess that Caesar too was Lord, but Polycarp stood firm. His confession has become famous for as he faced death by fire, he spoke these words: “Eighty and six years have I served Him and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” Polycarp remained faithful until death. He was Faithful in the Fire!

Polycarp followed in the great tradition of the believers in Smyrna, for they too were known to remain faithful in the fire. The risen Christ encouraged and empowered the church in Smyrna to remain faithful as they underwent times of great trials. The trials would not last forever and Christ Himself would reward their faithfulness. Life Application (E.S.S.): Because Christ is alive, believers are empowered to remain faithful in suffering.

How do we remain faithful in suffering?
We are able to remain faithful when we realize that . . .
I. God Uses Suffering in Our Lives (vv.9-10)
In verse 10, Jesus says that this suffering that they are enduring has a purpose, “that you may be tested.” The word “tested” (peirazo) means to try, to prove in a good sense. Aorist, passive, subjunctive.
Testing or proving can be useful. I’m sure that the 155 passengers of Us Airways Flight 1549 are grateful that their pilot, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger was a tested pilot. His years of flight experience and testing as an Air Force and commercial pilot allowed him to remain calm in the time of testing.

The cars we buy and drive go through testing. A cruise ship undergoes sea trials prior to being released. Testing, proving is very useful. God is able to use suffering in our lives to build spiritual character. Romans 5: 3-4 says it best, “We also rejoice in our sufferings [has Paul lost his mind? Or does he know something we don’t?], because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope.”

What was the specific nature of the suffering that the church in Smyrna was undergoing? Their trial is described as “Affliction” (v.9). “Thlipsis” originally meant crushing beneath a weight. Trials seem to crush us, overwhelm us. If we will allow God to bring good from it, affliction can be used by God to bring out from us the character of Jesus. Symrna comes from the word “myrrh,” which was a perfume, an anointing oil. Perfume or anointing oil only works (i.e., it only gives up its scent) when it is acted upon. Testing has a pressing effect but in that pressing, we are not crushed. Instead, the character of Jesus is released through us.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” And for what purpose does Paul and others suffer? What good could possible come from this? He tells us in verse 11, “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”

The Christians in Smyrna also suffered extreme poverty. The word for poverty here is not simply lacking, but it carries the idea of complete destitution, having nothing at all. They had nothing, John says, but Jesus says they have everything! Christians were poor for several reasons: (1) The early Christians came largely from the lower classes of society. (2) The early Christians faced persecution and even raids from their neighbors (Heb. 10:34) . The Christians at Smyrna were suffering trials and hardships but not because of anything that they were doing, but because of who they were serving – Jesus Christ! They were suffering for righteousness.
Some of the Christians in Smyrna were even imprisoned for their faith. “Ten days” is not a literal ten days but does signify that it will be a short duration.

Where did the persecution come from? Apparently, there was a sizeable an influential number of Jews in Smyrna (v.9). John calls them “a synagogue of Satan.” John was using a favorite expression of the Jews and reversing its meaning. The Jews loved to refer to themselves as “the assembly of the Lord.” Synagogue means a coming together, an assembly, a congregation. John says, “You call yourselves the assembly of God when, in fact, you are the assembly of the Devil.”

What was the “blasphemy” (v.9) or the “slander” of the Jews that caused the authorities to persecute the believers in Smyrna? Although we cannot be sure what specific accusations the Jews made against the believers in Smyrna, we know that the following accusations were commonly made against Christians in New Testament times.
(1) Accusation: Christians were cannibals – A misunderstanding about the Lord’s Supper.

(2) Accusation: Christians were immoral – A misunderstanding about the Love Feast.

(3) Accusation: Christians split families.

(4) Accusation: Christians were atheists – They did not have idols or believe in the Roman gods.

(5) Accusation: Christians were politically disloyal – They would not confess that Caesar is Lord.

(6) Accusation: Christians were agitators and arsonists – They foretold of the end of the world by fire.

In spite of suffering caused by these false accusations, the Christians could have the assurance that God would use this suffering for His glory.

We are also able to remain faithful when we realize that . . .
II. Christ Enters into Our Suffering
It may look as if God had deserted them but He has not. How does He encourage the believers in Smyrna?

He reminds them that . . .
(1) He Is the “First and Last” (v.8)
See Revelation 1:8, 11, 17

(2) He “was dead, and came to life” (v.8)
See Revelation 1:18

The city of Smyrna itself had ceased its existence for 400 years. A man named Lysimachus rebuilt it. Jesus knew their history – they were once dead but now they were alive. Jesus identifies with them when He says “I am He who died and came back to life” (v.8). Jesus knew what it was like to experience the worst that life could dish out, suffering and crucifixion, yet Jesus came through as our victorious redeemer! He conquered death! And so, by reminding them that He was dead and came back to life, He lets them know that He too has walked this path of suffering.

We are able to remain faithful when we realize that . . .
III. There Is Glory Beyond Suffering
1. You Will Receive “the Crown of Life” (10b)
There are two words for crown in the NT, “diadema” which refers to a royal crown, and “stephanos” which refers a crown of joy or a victor’s crown. This was the crown, the laurel wreath, that was awarded to the victor in the games. In this life, loyalty to God may bring a crown of thorns, but in the life to come the crown of glory and of life.

Paul spoke of this crown when he said, that contestants in the games strive “to receive a perishable wreath [the same Greek word is used], but we an imperishable” (1 Cor. 9:25). John used this expression to encourage the believers in Smyrna. Although many of them were suffering physical death, they had the assurance of the prize of eternal life. The crown itself is eternal life. This crown is not just for martyrs, believers who give their lives for Christ. This crown is promised to all who love Him (Jas. 1:12). Don’t give up! The finish line is in sight.

2. You Will “not be hurt by the second death”
The second death is referred to in Revelation 20:6. The first death is physical death. All will experience this, but those who are not saved will experience what the Bible calls the second death which is the judgement of God.
“Born once, die twice; born twice, die once.”

There is glory beyond suffering. Even if one dies for Christ, he or she will only dies once. John seems to be saying, to the Christian, “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” “Death? No! Eternal Death, yes!” Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body bu cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28).

Two commands and words of encouragement are given to suffering Christians.
1. “Do not fear”(v.10) Trust in Me!


2. “Be faithful until death” (v.10) Don’t quit the race!

Are you suffering? Because Christ is alive, believers are empowered to remain faithful in suffering. But without Christ we have no hope to endure the times of suffering that we experience in this life. And without Christ we have no future. Thank God the “First and the Last,” the One who “was dead, and came to life” has made provision for us!

For His Glory!

Pastor Joe