Revelation 2:8–11 (NIV) 8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Revelation 2:9 (NIV) I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!
John 15:18–19 (NIV) 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Matthew 10:22 (NIV) All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
360 million Christians,(1 in 7) around the world, suffered significant persecution for their faith.
In 2021, an average of 16 believers were killed every day for following Jesus.-Open Doors’ World Watch List
Revelation 2:9 (NIV) … I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 2:10 (NIV) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
The promise is not deliverance of persecution or hardship but a reward to those that endure it.
Pressure & Persecution: 1. Pressure: What we feel. • Pressure is the temptation to give into compromise. 2. Persecution: How we are treated Persecution is any mistreatment aimed at shutting down your Christian message and convictions.
Affirming Directions: 1. Be Fearless
Revelation 2:10 (NIV) “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.”
A comforting revelation Revelation 2:8 (NIV) “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 1.The first and the last:
Jesus has the final word.
2. The one who died and came to life again.
Death will not be the end of you
Colossians 1:18 (NIV) He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Revelation 2:11 (NIV) “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”
2. Be Faithful Revelation 2:10 (NIV) “Be faithful, even to the point of death.”
Revelation 12:11 (NLT) They have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
There is a real temptation to doubt and to give into fear.
If we are being silent, we are not being faithful.
“Our mission is not to hide as we pray away the evil. Rather, our mission is to advance this Kingdom through the proclamation of His Gospel.”
The Promise: Revelation 2:11 (NIV) “I know your poverty —yet you are rich! “ Revelation 2:10 (NIV) “I will give you the crown of life.”
James 1:12 (NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
