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WHEN SUFFERING STRIKES

31/07/2017 08:27:00 The Editor

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The church of Smyrna is the second church that Jesus addresses in Revelation 2 and there are many lessons we can draw from this church.

The lessons speak to all who go through trials and temptations.
The church of Smyrna typifies the condition of the church during the time from about one hundred years after Christ to AD 313. During this time the church was undergoing serious persecution.
Jesus introduced Himself as ‘the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive’ (Revelation 2:8). This indeed was an appropriate title for Jesus to address His faithful people in Smyrna. He is ‘the first and the last’.
The one who was dead and came to life. If Jesus faced persecution, torture and death with courage, His people can face it also. The Christ who triumphed over the tomb offers us victory in the face of trials.
Jesus then acknowledged their trials: “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,” (Revelation 2:9).
After commending the church in Smyrna for their spiritual victories, Jesus warned of coming persecution. “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 10 days,” (Revelation 2:10).
During the second and third centuries the devil viciously attacked the Christian church through persecution. Suffering and persecution have always been the experience of the church; just think of the disciples of Jesus. Only Apostle John died of old age; all the other disciples were martyred for their faith.

Jesus calls the church to remain faithful in their suffering: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life,” (Revelation 2:10). This same ‘crown’ is also mentioned in James 1:12; “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Dear reader; suffering is a universal language.
“We don’t look alike, we don’t act alike, we don’t dress alike, we are all totally different, but we all have one thing in common. We all know what it means to face trials and temptations.”
Throughout the Bible Jesus encourages His people with the expression ‘do not fear’.