Dan Nickerson – March 19th, 2021
Notice in (Revelation 2:10) that Jesus tells them that there is more trouble ahead, they will face more persecution. That is certainly not what anyone would want to hear from the Lord, but whatever meant by these ten days is not clear, but it does imply their persecution was severe but brief. Prison in that day was nothing like it is today. When people went to prison under the Roman system they did not receive a college education, learn a skill, or spend their days writing books and watching television. When a person went to prison in those days it was to await execution. You might even be killed by a sword, burned alive, be thrown to wild animals, or die some other way that showed the depravity of the wicked. Smyrna was a suffering congregation that was hated. Why did the people of Smyrna hate these believers so much? It’s not recorded here in Scripture but we know that hatred of Christians is to be expected (John 15:18-25). The truth is, everyone who desires to live a holy, separated, and dedicated life for Jesus Christ is going to face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). The reason the world hates the believer today is the same reason the world hated the believers then, because they loved Jesus! That’s not the only reason. There are reason’s such as…..
- Because we tell them there is one way to God and that His name is Jesus
- Because we tell them that they are headed to Hell unless they repent
- Because we are not part of this world – (John 15:19) (1 Peter 2:9)
- Because we follow Christ – (Matthew 10:22) (Matthew 24:9)
- Because we remind them of the God they hate – (Romans 1:28-32)
- Because the darkness always hates light – (John 3:19-21)
- Because the world hates the truth – (Romans 1:18)
- Because the wicked are blinded – (2 Corinthians 4:4)
- Because we will not join them and confirm them in their abomination – (1 Peter 4:4) (Ephesians 5:8)
- Because they belong to the devil – (John 8:44)
- Because they hate the Gospel – (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Even tough they were paying a harsh price for their faithful love and service to the Lord Jesus, these people did not back down from their profession. They stayed the course and demonstrated a faithful testimony for the glory of God. Men and women who walk with Jesus have paid a terrible price for their faith. Every one of the disciples, with the exception John, died a horrible death for their testimony. Did you know that every year some 300,000 believers are martyred for their faith? The day may come when this world will take us and our property, or even threaten us with death for preaching and teaching about Jesus and His word. The day may come when our testimony becomes a death sentence in this world. It might get bad down here before we leave this world. But we can be assured that the Lord will not forsake us or leave us alone – (Hebrews 13:5).