February 9, 2000
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
Saints at Smyrna show
steadfast faith sows success
___Revelation 2:8-11; 3:7-13
___By Debra Hochgraber
___Women's Evangelism Consultant, BGCT, Dallas
___Dear Baptist Church, Somewhere:
___I know your afflictions and your poverty. You are about to suffer. Some of you will be put into prison. You are a successful church.
___Wait a minute. A successful church? By whose standards?
___Read Revelation 2:8-11. Christ revealed those thoughts to John regarding the church in Smyrna. "I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich!" (vs. 9) Obviously, they were poor in worldly gain and rich in heavenly treasure.
___The key to their success seems to be suggested in verse 10. "Be faithful, even to the point of death." They had made "faith" a verb. It was not merely something they possessed which they could pull out in a crisis or for display. Faith was an action word to this church. I have heard my husband say many times that the word "faith" should have an "e" on the end of it. It should be an action verb, denoting spirit-led activity. (See, Dennis, I do listen to those sermons.)
___The church at Smyrna must have continually lived out their faith as they faced numerous trials. They may have been some of the Christians whose property was confiscated or pillaged as in Hebrews 10:34. Christ asks that their faithfulness continue, even if it means death.
___We read over those words pretty easily--"... even to the point of death" (vs. 10). But what if we were living in Indonesia right now? Christians are being killed for their faith.
___That kind of faith must be active enough to have called attention to itself. Christ has said they "will not be hurt at all by the second death" (vs. 11).
___How do we live that kind of faith? One way is by knowing Jesus as the church in Smyrna did. Look at how he introduces himself to them. "The First and the Last, who died and came to life again" (vs. 8). That is so different than his description of himself to Pergamum--"him who has the sharp, double-edged sword" (vs. 12). Or to Thyatira with his "eyes like blazing fire" (vs. 18). He seemed to emphasize his authority to Ephesus, Sardis and Laodicea (2:1; 3:1, 14). But Smyrna recognizes this one in whom everything of real value is found. There is nothing and no one before or after him. They count on the power that gave him life after his cruel death.
___How did they live full of faith? They knew Jesus. They knew him well enough to recognize his voice during a time when many were confused by the imposter (2:9).
___So, what do we find in these verses? Affirmation from Christ that he sees faith evidenced in their lives. (I like this letter.)
___No rebukes, only commendation for standing firm after counting the cost. This is the kind of letter I would like our church to receive.
___An honest unveiling of the persecution to come. (I had almost forgotten that.)
___Lord, I need to know you more.
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