THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
REVELATION 2: 8 - 11
PART 2 of 4
PART 2 of 4
8) To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of Him Who is the First and the Last, Who died and came to life again.
9) I know your afflictions and your poverty --- yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10) Do not be afraid of what 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 ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.
11) Whoever has ears, let them hear what The Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
COMMENTARY
Myrrh is used in embalming the dead and has to be crushed, giving off it's fragrance. Smyrna means myrrh. The church in Smyrna was crushed by Rome and in perpetual martyrdom for their faith in Jesus. They met in secret and had sentries posted to warn them of approaching danger.
The Jews were entrenched in political Rome during this time period, forcing Christians to convert to Judaism and all of the traditions and legalism that went with it. They did not want to give up the power they held in the synagogue to the church.
In the two hundred years that the age of persecution continued, there were ten distinct edicts that went out from the Roman government calling for the persecution of the Christians; beginning with Nero and ending with Diocletian.
With the testimony of the martyrs during the persecution of the church, the persecutors were saved. What was meant to kill the church from without, was actually the seed of the church. The fragrance of the faithful martyrs glorified God. And for that, they received life!
Verse 9 reminds us that we may live IN this world, but our currency is not OF this world. We store up our treasures in Heaven! (King James Version, public domain)
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