P2 Jesus wants a courageous church - Revelation 2:8-11

Revelation 2:10 "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." 

Introduction & review
As we have mentioned in times past, Jesus is addressing these seven churches to communicate among other things, what He wants His church in every place to be. Jesus' message to Ephesus had to do with Him wanting her to be a more loving church, since she had left her "first love."  In the letter to the church of Smyrna, we will discover that Jesus Christ wants a courageous church.  Yesterday we suggested the following about the courageous faith Jesus desires among His saints and churches in Revelation 2:8-11:

1. Courageous faith comes from Jesus Christ. Revelation 2:8-9
Jesus begins this letter with these words in Revelation 2:8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this".
Now the titles that Jesus uses for Himself in each of these seven letters are repeats of seven such titles we find in Revelation 1.  This particular title in Revelation 2:8 is first mentioned in Revelation 1:16-17 - "When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying,“Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."   

When Jesus states this particular title, He says it in a context of comfort and encouragement to the beloved Apostle.  Overwhelmed by the full and unveiled Deity of Jesus Christ, John falls at the feet of Jesus as a dead man, much like Isaiah in Isaiah 6 who became "undone" in God's presence or Daniel in the presence of the Pre-incarnate Christ in Daniel 10:8-9.  All three prophets could not stand in the presence of Christ's infinite being.  The Pre-incarnate Christ sent an angel to both Isaiah and Daniel to give reassurance of to not be afraid.  In Revelation 1:16-17 we see the glorified Christ Himself comfort His apostle with the same types of words: "do not be afraid."  Undoubtedly Christ's identifying name to John back in Revelation 1:16-17 is used to communicate this first fact about courageous faith - that Jesus Christ Himself is the source of it. 

The name "Smyrna" is closely related to the spice "myrrh".   The spice was used to describe the heavenly bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ in Psalm 45:8.  Myrrh was one of the three spices brought by the wisemen to the infant Christ in Luke 2:11 and it was used in Christ's burial in John 19:39.  Further study of the spice reveals that the way in which the aroma was released was by the crushing of the spice.  As Dr. John Walvoord notes about this point: "The fragrance of Christ as the bridegroom is thus represented typically by the myrrh."1  How fitting that the sweet aroma of Jesus Christ be released by courageous faith supplied by Jesus in the midst of crushing circumstances.  


When you draw courageous faith from Jesus Christ, you are spiritually rich regardless of the poverty of circumstances

So Jesus Christ is the source of courageous faith as seen in Revelation 2:8. As you read on into this shortest of the seven letters, we find these words in Revelation 2:9 "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” This church was experiencing physical poverty due to her commitment to not give into the pagan culture and intense pressure to conform or die.  The Smyrnan Christians would had been prohibited to participate in many of the city services and functions due to their allegiance to Christ.  However Jesus tells them “but you are rich”.  In our English text we have “parenthesis” drawn around those words to set them apart from the rest of the sentence. In the parenthesis of God’s grace, we are in the world but not of it.  The Bible speaks about how the true believer in Jesus Christ has riches untold even though they be impoverished and that they are to lay their treasures up in heaven, since wherever your treasure is their your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-20, 10:28-31; 2 Corinthians 6:10; James 2:5)

No doubt about it, the church at Smyrna was to undergo severe trial.  She would be "crushed" but not destroyed.  Jesus often reminds his people of how He is the source of courageous faith.  John 14:1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me."  Or how about John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

2. Courageous faith is strengthened in trials. Revelation 2:9-10a
Revelation 2:10 states: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days."  As Christians in America in the 21st century, we operate under the mistaken assumption that growth and godliness can occur apart from testing and trial.  As you read this letter to Smyrna, the question arises as to why they had to undergo further suffering if they had proven themselves faithful already.

In the Bible we find over 250 passages that deal with the subject of suffering and testing.  Often people assume that the reason they are going through a trial is due to some unconfessed sin.  In studying the over 250 verses on suffering, here is what you discover concerning God's purposes behind it:

a. 30 of the passages on suffering deal with God using it  to advance His Kingdom
b. 79 passages have to do with correcting behavior or heart motives.
c. 145 passages have to do with purifying or strengthening of faith

In other words, roughly 2 out of three passages in the Bible that deal with suffering or trial have God using it for reinforcing the Christian's faith.  Even in those other passages that are corrective, the correction is not destructive but constructive.  So when you think about it, every single time God is putting you to the test, He is doing it for your good and for His glory. God will permit trials into you life to strengthen your faith - i.e storms  of strengthening. (2 Corinthians 4:18)  At times God will permit testings to purify you in areas you're already doing well in - i.e storms of purification. (1 Peter 1:6-7) Lastly, God will allow storms to enter into your life that will for instance stir up affection for Christ and people that had maybe gone cold or was in need of added passion - i.e storms of correction. (Romans 5:3-4) 

Truly courageous faith cannot be courageous faith unless it is given the opportunity to either shut down or persevere.  Courage is forged in the heat of testing.  As Job states in Job 23:10 “But He knows the way I take;
When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

More tomorrow...........

Endnotes:
1. John Walvoord. The Revelation of Jesus Christ - A Commentary. Moody Press. 1966. Page 60. 

P1 Jesus wants a courageous church - Revelation 2:8-11

Revelation 2:6 "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

The testimony of the martyrdom of Polycarp, a leader at the church of Smyrna
History records the story of the persecutions of Christians that would occur at the city of Smyrna some fifty years after the Apostle John had written the Book of Revelation to Smyrna and the other six churches.  The Apostle John had a student or disciple by the name of Polycarp who was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ.  Polycarp lived to be 86 years of age before being burned at the stake for his faith.  We read below a little bit of his final words of courageous faith from the record of his martyrdom entitled: "The Martyrdom of Holy Polycarp - the Church of Smyrna": "Then, the proconsul urging him, and saying, "Swear, and I will set thee at liberty, reproach Christ;" Polycarp declared, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?"And when the proconsul yet again pressed him, and said, "Swear by the fortune of Cæsar," he answered, "Since thou art vainly urgent that, as thou sayest, I should swear by the fortune of Cæsar, and pretendest not to know who and what I am, hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian. And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and thou shalt hear them."

The remainder of document details Polycarp's voluntary journey to the stake.. Despite the efforts of his executioners to burn him, the fire encircled his body in the shape of a circle or a sail of a ship. 
You can read the account in full at http://christianbookshelf.org/smyrna/the_martyrdom_of_the_holy_polycarp/index.html.

Now the reason I chose to begin today's blog with this scene is due to what we will be reading in Revelation 2:8-11:
1. Polycarp had been a direct pupil of the Apostle John, the author of the Book of Revelation

2. Polycarp was a bishop at the church of Smyrna, the church we will be looking at today

3. Polycarp's testimony is a prime example of courageous faith, something of which Jesus was urging the Smyrnan church to be in Revelation 2:8-11

4. Courageous faith is what Jesus desires for His church and believers today as we here in America face increasing pressure to conform to a mold and set of convictions that are anti-Christian, worldly and at odds with Biblical truth.

Smyrna - the beautiful city with an ugly reputation
As you study Jesus' letter to the church at Smyrna, you are reading the shortest epistle or letter to any church in the Bible.  Out of all the seven churches addressed in Revelation, only Smyrna and Philadelphia were commended.  As a city, Smyrna was among the most beautiful of all the cities of Asia minor. Located some 35 miles North of Ephesus, the first church addressed in Revelation 2:1-7, Smyrna had become a major stronghold for Roman culture and influence. It is the only city of the seven still in existence today, renamed Izmir in modern Turkey and being the third largest city of that country.  

Concerning Smyrna's description in John's day, W.A Criswell writes these words in his commentary: "The streets were wide and straight and spacious.  The most famous of the streets was called the golden street. It ran from the sea, where the great temple of Cybele (the goddess of nature) was built, straight through the entire length of the city to Mount Pagos, on the summit of which was the great temple Zeus."1 Dr. Criswell later writes: "In that ancient day the Romans looked upon Smyrna as being the queen and glory of all Asia."2 Despite the city being beautiful on the outside, the relentless persecution of Christians, among which Polycarp is most noted, gave Smyrna an ugly reputation.  

Jesus wants a courageous church
It is in places such as Smyrna that Christ raises up His church to be salt and light.  Dr. John Walvoord in his commentary writes: "The problem of human suffering raised in the message to the church at Smyrna has occupied the minds of men through the centuries.  For those of the Christian faith it is not difficult to understand why the ungodly should suffer. The question remaining, however, is why the godly should suffer as in the case of the Smyrna church."3  It is in light of these questions that we aim to understand Jesus' exhortations and encouragements to this church.  

As we have mentioned in times past, Jesus is addressing these seven churches to communicate among other things, what He wants His church in every place to be. Jesus' message to Ephesus had to do with Him wanting her to be a more loving church, since she had left her "first love."  In the letter to the church of Smyrna, we will discover that Jesus Christ wants a courageous church.  As we look at Revelation 2:8-11, we can note the following truths about the courageous faith Jesus desires among His saints and churches:

1. Courageous faith comes from Jesus Christ. Revelation 2:8

2. Courageous faith is strengthened in trials. Revelation 2:9-10a

3. Courageous faith feeds from the scriptures. Revelation 2:10b-11

More tomorrow....

Endnotes: 
1. W.A Criswell. Expository Sermons on Revelation. Zondervan. Volume 2. Page 20

2. W.A Criswell. Expository Sermons on Revelation. Zondervan. Volume 2. Page 20

3. John Walvoord. The Revelation of Jesus Christ - A Commentary. Moody Press. Chicago. Page 63

Three Essential Elements of Physical Healing

Luke 5:17 "One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing." 

In the four gospels we see Jesus performing roughly 35 miracles, many of which were physical healing.  When studying either the Gospels, the Book of Acts or New Testament letters, an interesting question arises: what is the nature of physical healing? Recently I was asked some questions about physical healing and took the person to Luke 5:17-26, which gives one of the clearest accounts of the ingredients and pattern of physical healing in the Bible.  In today's post we are going to consider three essential elements of physical healing: Power of God, Presence of faith and the Purpose of God.  

1. The Power of God to heal.  Luke 5:17
The scripture plainly tells us in Luke 5:17 that "the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing." Whenever there are prayers offered up on the behalf of sick people, the one thing we should never doubt is God's ability to heal.  In order for any healing to take place, God's power has to be present.  Even though Jesus Christ was and is God in human flesh, he chose to submit Himself to the will of His Father.  God's power to heal was present and the text tells us there was a second crucial element present, namely the presence of faith.

2. The presence of faith to receive healing. Luke 5:18-20, 25
Luke 5:20 states - "Seeing their faith, He said,“Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”  Earlier in the account some people had brought this paralyzed man on a stretcher to a house where Jesus had been teaching some crowds.  The crowds were so thick that the friends of the man could not bring him through to where Jesus was.  So by their effort they hoisted the man upon the roof of the house, undoubtedly broke through the roof and lowered the man on the stretcher down to where Jesus was teaching. (Luke 5:18-19) Jesus saw their faith and the faith of the paralyzed man and forgave his sin and healed his disease. (Luke 5:25)

God's purpose, not the presence of faith, is the determining factor in healing
Now here is a question: was the man's faith the reason for his healing? This is a very important question because I am sure you have heard it said by some people that the reason why people don't get healed is for lack of faith.  Let me say right up front that the amount of faith has nothing to do with whether or not you get physical healing.  Faith certainly is needed to receive healing, however the presence of faith alone does not mean that you or I will get healed.  The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:1-9 was afflicted by a thorn in the flesh or "messenger from satan" after he had witnessed a series of visions in the third heaven.  Paul relates how he asked God three times to deliver him from the demonically inflicted ailment.  But the Lord told Him in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

If we were to really believe that the amount of one's faith was alone responsible for physical healing, then we would have to conclude Paul had no faith - which would be ridiculous at best!  God's power to heal is never at issue, however God may have another purpose in mind.  The presence of faith, though necessary to receive healing, is not the decisive factor as to why people get healed or do not get healed.   So then that leads us to the third element involved in physical healing: God's purpose.

3. The purpose of God decides whether people are physically healed. Luke 5:21-26
Jesus says in Luke 5:24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.”  I underlined the phrase "so that" in the passage to show Jesus' point: namely the purpose for why the man got healed.  Anytime you see the phrase "so that" in the Bible, it speaks of purpose.  God had a purpose in this episode - to demonstrate Jesus' inherent ability to forgive sins. (Luke 5:24) Miracles of physical healing are designed to point to spiritual realities that are connected to God's character and saving purpose.  God's purpose was present to heal as well as His power.  

What would had happened if God had chosen not to heal the man? Would the man's faith, great as it was, brought about the healing? No. 
Faith in an of itself is a receiving grace. God's purpose is the decisive factor.  Again I have heard many well-meaning people and Bible teachers misguidedly say that it is always God's purpose to heal.  Really? If that were the case then obviously everyone would get healed that we pray for.  However, is physical healing always the greatest purpose? Only God can make that determination.  In the instance of this man, it was God's purpose, however in the case of Paul's ailment in 2 Corinthians 12, it was not.  God used Paul's frailties to accomplish great things for the kingdom.

Conclusion:
Today we have looked at the subject of physical healing and have considered three essential elements: Power of God, Presence of faith and the Purpose of God.  We have seen that God's power to heal is never in question.  Furthermore, the presence of faith is necessary to receive the healing, however faith by itself is not the decisive factor. The third element of God's purpose is the decisive factor in healing.  People who do not experience physical healing, even after much prayer, must remember that it is not due to the amount of faith, or lack thereof, but rather the purpose of God.  If anything, God's power to sustain the person in the illness can position that person to be used greatly by Him to bear witness to others about Jesus.   

P4 - God's Greatness in Psalms and Romans - Election, faith and salvation

Psalm 105:4-8 "Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually. 5 Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth, 6 O seed of Abraham, His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! 7 He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. 8 He has remembered His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations."

We have been exploring the theme of "God's Greatness" in Psalms 90-106 and Romans 11-16.  In today's post we will take one final look at this theme by noting how it functions particular in the Biblical teaching of election, faith & salvation.  

Greatness of God in salvation seen in God's electing purpose of grace

In Psalm 105-106 we see what the Baptist Faith and Message calls "God's Purpose of electing grace" as the basis for Israel's calling and identity. Roughly 100 times is God's electing purpose mentioned in the Bible.  We find three references to God's "chosen ones" in these two Psalms. (105:6,43; 106:5)  Once we see reference to Moses as God's "chosen one". (Psalm 106:23)  Then of course with reference to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, we see demonstrated God's purpose of elective grace. (Psalm 105:8-24)  Article V of The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 explains this truth: "Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. "  

Man bears the responsibility for rejecting the Gospel

So then, if anyone rejects the Lord and His offer of the Gospel and dies in their sins, who is to blame?  Scripture spells out pretty clearly that Israel was at fault for the consequences of their rebellion. (Psalm 106:6)  Mankind is responsible for the rejection of the Gospel, and God is credited for the reason behind a person freely choosing to believe the Gospel. (Acts 13:46-48, Ephesians 2:8-10)  

How people are able to believe and remain in their salvation

So if God's purpose of Grace explains why anyone gets saved, then how is anyone able to believe and remain in their salvation? Psalm 105:1-15 and  Romans 15:4 tells us that by the word of God proclaimed in the Gospel do people believe and remain firm in their faith.  Romans 10:17 plainly states - "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  Upon such hearing, all those who call upon the name of the Lord in saving faith will be saved. (Romans 10:13) So then Who gets the credit? Jesus Christ in His grace and Word is the author and finisher of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Because of God's grace, a person truly and freely believes and is justified by faith alone or credited with the righteousness of the Lord. (see Psalm 106:30-31)  

God's Sovereignty in salvation points to His great saving power in Jesus Christ.  

Only God can design a salvation wherein His Sovereignty and human responsibility are present without contradiction.  If anyone rejects the Good News of Jesus Christ, it is because of their doing.  Today thank God for your salvation and His choosing of you. (John 15:16; 1 John 1:9)  Secondly thank Him for His Word which brought you to the point of choosing Him and sustains you in His salvation. (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:17-18)  Thirdly pray for your unsaved loved ones and friends that that they would respond by grace through faith and be saved to the glory of God. (Romans 9:1; 10:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; 2 Peter 3:9-10) 

P3 - God's Greatness in Psalms and Romans on a personal level

Psalm 103:1-4 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion.  

As we continue in our series on the greatness of God, we will look at how God's greatness affects the soul of the Christian.  What we meditate upon the most will mold how we make our daily decisions.  

Meditating on the greatness of God

If you ever wanted Biblical reasons as to why you should talk to yourself, then Psalm 103 and 104 are the chapters for you.  At the beginning and end of each of those Psalms we see this phrase: "bless the Lord Oh my Soul".  What is the soul? Your soul is your center of self-awareness.  You are a three-part being: a soul that is wrapped in a body that contains another invisible area called "the spirit".  

(1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12) 

You do not merely have a soul - you are a soul.  As a soul - you have a thinker called the mind, a feeler called emotions, an expression of convictions called your conscience and a chooser called the will.  As you grow in grace, you are to tell your mind what to think your emotions how to feel and your will what to choose. (Philippians 4:6-9; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Joshua 24:15)  The Psalmist here in Psalms 103 and 104 is telling himself to think and reflect on God's Greatness in times past and in the scriptures.  The Psalmist is instructing himself to be mindful about what God is doing in the creation around him.  As you train your soul to get in order with what God said, and regard your selfish desires to be dead, only then can you move on ahead in God.  

Making Godly decisions that will honor the greatness of God

Whenever you come to Romans 14, you discover a clear set principles for Godly decision making that can be useful in the process of training your soul.  What are those principles? Will whatever I am deciding to do: Enable me to live for Christ (Romans 14:8); Love my brother (14:13); Be led by the Spirit (14:16-17); Build-up God's work (14:19-20) and then finally, will this decision help or hinder my faith-walk? (14:22-23)  Whenever you sift your decisions through that five-fold grid, whatever comes out at the bottom, that is what you are to do.  My prayer today would be that you and I would take to heart God's greatness and let it affect our soul and daily decisions, so as to immediately obey the principles of His Word.