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PERSECUTION WITHIN

Writer's picture: Olufunmilayo AdekusibeOlufunmilayo Adekusibe
 

Today’s Reading:

Revelation 2:8-11 

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: “These things say the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life. ”I know your works, attribution, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 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 in ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”  (vv. 8-11 NKJV)

 

Smyrna is a city situated at the end of the eastern Asian trade route and is a center for Roman emperor worship.  Polycarp, a student of John, and the most famous of the early church’s martyrs, was the bishop of Smyrna.  From the passage today, we see that this church struggles against two hostile forces – a) a Jewish population strongly opposed to Christianity and b) a non-Jewish population that was loyal to Rome and supported emperor worship. Persecution and suffering were synonymous in this type of environment.


Our passage today, which is the letter to the church at Smyrna indicates suffering Christians under severe pressure who needed a message of hope and assurance.  This small church remained faithful to God despite difficult situations.  Like Christ, the church is said to have been dead but now is alive.  Of the seven churches, it is said to be the only one that is still standing today, somewhere in Turkey. Persecution comes from Satan, who is the force behind human hostility against Christians. He is the one who causes believers to go through untold oppression, even to be killed. But those who endured to the end will receive a crown of life (v. 10). Satan can harm the body but cannot do spiritual harm. “… but are synagogues of Satan (v. 9b). This means that when those who persecute from within gather to worship, they serve the purposes of Satan.  “… Tribulation ten days(v.10)  indicating that although persecution may be intense, it has a definite beginning and end and that God would remain in complete control of everything and His promises are reliable.


No matter the cause of pain, it is not easy to bear, but it is part of life, and Christians are not exonerated from it. As Jesus commended the church at Smyrna for its faith in suffering (v. 11), believers today are also being commended and encouraged that we should not fear the future, but remain firm in our faith. No matter how difficult the times may be, we should not compromise or turn away from God.  Instead, we should allow these situations to draw us closer to greater faithfulness in Christ. Jesus never promised us that by being faithful to Him we will avoid suffering, persecution, and trouble (Matt. 10:22).


By remaining faithful in our suffering, then is our faith proven genuine?  We remain faithful by focusing more and more on Jesus, and His promises for us now and in the future (Phil. 3:13-14; 2 Tim. 4:8).  Let us trust in God for a greater reward awaits us in heaven (22:12-14). Both believers and unbelievers would experience physical death.  All would be resurrected, but believers would be resurrected to eternal life with God, and unbelievers would be punished with the second death, and eternal separation from God (20:14; 21:8, 27; 22:15)

                                                            OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE


 

 

To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: Father, thank you for Jesus Christ. Forgive my sins, take control of my heart, and lead me in your righteous path by the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Thank You, Lord. If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.


Prayer:

  1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity.  And in whose spirit, there is no deceit (Ps. 32:1-2)

  2. O God, have mercy on me and forgive my sins and the sins of members of my family.  Let the blood of Jesus cleanse us from unrighteousness, in Jesus' name.

  3. Father, create in us a clean heart, renew a right, humble, and teachable spirit within us, in Jesus' name.

  4. Lord, change every weaker version of my life into a stronger, wiser one of me, and bring something worthwhile out of my prayer life, in Jesus' name. 

  5. Deliver me O Lord from the deceiver, the destroyer, and every cryptic enemy of my destiny, in Jesus' name.

  6. Holy Spirit, fill me to overflow with your power and fire, and sanctify me to the glory of God, in Jesus' name.

  7. O Lord, rescue the perishing, save those in captivity, and deliver those in bondage to the evil one, in Jesus' name.

  8. Unit the body of Christ with your love to harmoniously proclaim the Gospel of truth, in Jesus' name.

  9. We commit the leaders of the church to Your care, Lord; grant them the fear of You in all their decisions, in Jesus' name.

  10. … O Shepherd of Israel, You who leads Joseph like a flock, You who dwells amid cherubims, shine forth.  Stir up Your strength and come and save the nations of the world, especially our nation Nigeria. Turn us again, and cause your face to shine, and we shall be saved, in Jesus' name.  (Ps. 80:1).

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