Sunday, 29th October 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: THE PATMOS LETTERS: BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Did you know being persecuted is part of the Christian journey?
Historically, the community of believers has been no stranger to persecution. Christians’ unwavering challenge to the status quo has often been met with violent hostilities.
One of the most notorious examples of this was the persecution of Christians under the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero. Nero saw to it that Christians were brutally tortured and executed; some were crucified, others were covered in pitch and lighted by fire, and still others were torn to shreds by dogs. These and many other brutal hostilities find expression in Jesus' warning to Peter (Matt 16:18) regarding the resilience of the Church against the forces of evil represented by "the gates of hell." Here, the "gates of hell" represent the continuous fury of Satan and his assigns, signifying the grave threat posed to the Church by these forces of darkness.
Christians through the ages have had to endure harsh persecutions from the world in their refusal to bow to the world systems.
In our context scripture, Jesus begins His letter to the Church in Smyrna with “…the words of the first and the last, who died and came to life” and assures them that He is aware of their tribulations. He then foretells them of the impending suffering the devil is about to unleash on them. Still, he encourages them not to fear but to “…be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev 2:10). The Greek meaning of Smyrna means Myrrh which is the oil that is produced from a thorny tree. The Christians in Smyrna were known to have endured one of the harshest persecutions in history under Emperor Domitian. Striking to note that, the more these Christians in Smyrna were tortured for their refusal to worship the Roman Emperor as god, the more their love for Jesus was made strong. Persecution refined their love for God, they were passionate about knowing Him.
Jesus assured them, that though the gates of hell will come against them He expects that they will not compromise but remain faithful to the end.
Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, Christians all over the world are enduring one persecution or the other. The emphasis on Christian persecution and suffering is well articulated in the Bible. God expects you to remain faithful in every facet of your life no matter how harsh these persecutions are or will be. The goal of every persecution is to break our focus, weaken our faithfulness and love to God. If at the end of the age, God is going to look into your eyes and say to you, “Thou good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord,” you must remain consistent in your love for Him in the face of all threats, afflictions and ill-treatment. Be determined never to be deterred in love, obedience and service to the God you serve. God bless you.
FURTHER READING – Revelation 2:8-11
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How well do you handle persecutions?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me by your Holy Spirit not to be broken by persecution no matter how harsh it is, in Christ Jesus, Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Chronicles 26; 2 Chronicles 27; Daniel 7; Acts 7
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