Revelation 2:8-17
John has just written a vivid reminder to the church at Ephesus
to restore their passionate love for God or else they would be
judged (2:1-7). John then turns his attention to Smyrna
which is the second church to whom he writes and they are
often referred to as the persecuted church. From John's words
we can surmise that this body of believers was facing opposition
from the religious system called Judaism. Judaism was the Jewish
religion which elevated the Old Testament law while rejecting
Jesus Christ as the Messiah (the One promised by God). John
describes these Judaizers as "those who say they are Jews and are
not, but are the synagogue of Satan" (2:9). It appears that there
was ongoing persecution of the early church following the death,
burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and this continual
persecution often resulted from the so-called religious people
of that day. John wanted the church at Smyrna to be prepared for
what would soon take place. He writes, "Do not fear any of those
things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to
throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you
will have tribulation ten days" (2:10a). Then with a challenge
to endure this hardship John records what God has said, "Be
faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life"
(2:10b). Although their persecution would be brief (10 days),
God wanted them to be faithful to Him and look forward to the
hope of eternal life. Those who would die in this persecution
should remember that they would not "be hurt by the second
death" (2:11). Their body would die, but their soul would go
on to live forever in the presence of God. Even though believers
in the United States do not suffer extreme forms of persecution,
we must remember that people all over the world are experiencing
what the early church experienced. It is said that more people
are being persecuted for their faith today than at any other
time in history. Pray for the persecuted church - for their
strength to stand, for their families, and for God's comforting
hand upon them.
The church at Pergamos was the next to receive a
letter from John, who was writing on behalf of God. This church
is commended for their faithfulness to God in the midst of a very
wicked city. Pergamos was the center of many Gentile false
religions and where many false gods were worshiped (Zeus, Athena,
and Asklepios just to name a few). It seems that the pastor of
Pergamos, Antipas, had been killed for preaching the gospel but
the congregation stood firm during that time (2:13). Although there
was some praise given to them, John also writes "I have a few things
against you because you have there those who hold the doctrine of
Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children
of Israel, to eat things sacrifices to idols, and to commit sexual
immorality" (2:14). John goes on to say that the church at Pergamos
was also harboring people who believed the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans. In his study Bible John MacArthur writes about the
story of Balaam, "Balaam tried unsuccessfully to prostitute his
prophetic gift and curse Israel for money offered him by Balak,
king of Moab. So he devised a plot to have Moabite women seduce
Israelite men into intermarriage. The result was a blasphemous
union of Israel with fornication and idolatrous feasts"
(MacArthur Study Bible, p.1995). John calls them to repentance and
warns of God's judgment if they continue to abuse the grace which
was provided through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Christians are called to a holy lifestyle following their faith in
Jesus Christ and to abstain from the sin which caused Jesus to have
to die in our place. The modern day church must also heed this
warning to the church at Pergamos. Holiness and sin cannot co-exist.
The church must cleanse itself from sin and live in purity before God
and others.
Dear God, hear my cries for those who are being persecuted for their
faith - give them strength. Purify Your church to make it holy and
once again become a witness for Your grace.