I recently had the opportunity to speak on Revelation 2:8-11, and I found it both inspiring and convicting. These verses give us a glimpse into the church in Smyrna and how their members were willing to give their all for Christ.
Last week we looked at how the Christ followers in the Smyrna church were being persecuted…but never complained. They were willing to give their all for their Jesus. What an amazing example for us to follow.
This week we look at what Christ tells them in verse 9, “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!” I love those first two words…I know. He wants these followers to know that He sees them. He sees their poverty. He sees their intense suffering. He knew how important it was for them to hear this from the One for whom they were giving their all.
Let me ask you a question. Do you always feel seen? Are there times in your life where you are going through very difficult waters and you just wish someone would “see” you. I’ve been there. If I’m going to be honest with you…in the last couple years of my life I have had moments where I wondered if even the Lord was seeing what I was going through. Deep down I knew He was…but it is so easy in our times of distress to feel overlooked or forgotten.
That’s why it is so important that we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, are intentional in “seeing” those around us. I can’t tell you how many times in the past 2 years, when I have felt like I was going down for the third time…and a brother or sister in Christ has either called me, texted me, even came to see me to let me know that they have seen what I was going through and they cared. Friends, we need to be Jesus with skin on for those around us. We may be the only Jesus some will ever see…and if we are too busy to really see others…they may never know the One who has endured so much for them.
And in this letter, Christ tells them that He sees the hardships they are facing…and then reminds them that even so…they are still rich! He points their eyes heavenward…reminding them that they will be rewarded for their faithfulness. He was reminding them that treasure is not to be stored on earth but in heaven…they had not lost their spiritual wealth and it’s important that we encourage each other with these words also. My friends have been great at helping me keep my eyes looking up…even during the darkest days.
Notice too in these verses that the Lord doesn’t sugarcoat their circumstances and tell them that He is going to remove them from their suffering. In fact…he seems to allude to the fact that it’s only going to get worse. Now that must have been encouraging!
He tells them that He knows about the slander of those who say they are Jews…but are actually a synagogue of Satan. The rest of verse 9 says, “I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan”. The word used here in this context is BLASPHEMIA. This word is usually associated with slander against God. But in this setting, it refers to the slander that the ‘synagogue of Satan’ stirred against the Church.
The Emperor Nero had a follower by the name of Aliturus, whom he admired very much. He also had another vile friendship with another man named Popaea. Both of these men were Jews. They used their contact with the Emperor to feed the slander against the early church. It was because they were convicted of their sins that they fought and hated the early church so vigorously.
The result was the Christian persecution the people were enduring. But the Lord knew what they were going through, and he urged them to be faithful until death when they would be blessed with a crown. The Greek word here is STEPHANOS, which describes the garland crown placed on the heads of athletes after winning a race. (And, by the way, we won’t wear these crowns very long because we will lay them at the feet of Jesus in heaven). Oh, what a day that will be!
This section of scripture made me ask myself, “How well am I “seeing” others? As I go through my week, am I intentionally looking for those whom I can lift up…whom I can let know that they are being seen by me? Or am I just too busy to be bothered?” OUCH.
As we go throughout this coming week, let’s pay attention to those who God puts in our path. They may be feeling like they are going down for the third time…and are just praying that someone…anyone…cares. Who knows what impact we can have by just “seeing” them and helping to lift their eyes heavenward. Time is of the essence…and remember…if they don’t see Jesus in us…they may never see Him at all.
Until next week…
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