October 16, 2002 (33)
THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA. continued. It is most worthy to note that there are no words of correction, nor a call to repentance in this letter, to this church. The problems they faced were sufficient to guarantee that they were a praying people. Strange how prayer is intensified when we face adverse situations in life. The Lord was well aware of every trial and tribulation that confronted them.
DO NOT FEAR THOSE THINGS THAT YOU WILL SUFFER. Not the kind of prophetic utterance that we would want to hear or that is heard. Rev. 2:9 The world has come to a time of fear. One of the signs heralding the end of the age and the subsequent coming of Christ, is a spirit of fear griping the hearts of the peoples of the world. Currently, fear is being generated by the acts of unscrupulous men. It can only increase. However we would wish it to cease, it will not. Jesus said; that the hearts of men would fail because of those things coming upon the earth. The events to which He was referring are not minor happenings but will be the manifestation of the judgments of the Almighty. He said; < the powers of the heavens would be shaken >, or the heavenly bodies. {NIV}. Luke 21:26 Not only will this earth shake but whole of the universe will convulse. Peace has been removed from the earth. The red horse and his rider are loosed on this world. His sword of war and murder is swinging mightily. Rev. 6:4 Any peace that will come will be short lived. When men think that they have created a time which will be called a time of < peace and safety > that will be the time when sudden destruction will break forth on the world, and Christ will come. 1 Thes. 5:3 The only source of peace is to be found in the Lord Jesus.
IN THE FACE OF SUFFERING, TRIBULATION AND IMPRISONMENT. Be faithful unto death. This is the commitment of the true child of God. Not an easy one, but one of full reward. The three Hebrew young men present an excellent example of dedication to the Lord. When faced with a choice of worshipping an idol or staying true to their convictions, they chose the latter. Our God is able to deliver, and even if He does not, we will not worship an idol. No marvel, that the Lord sent the fourth man to deliver them. Even a furnace heated seven times hotter than usual could not touch them. They were completely untouched by the fire, neither scorched nor did they smell of the fire. The fact that the furnace was heated < seven times > hotter must be considered. Seven times, relates to the end of the age. We could well know and experience the same situations as this church. Be faithful even to death, the supreme sacrifice. The reward is great and eternal. Those who overcome will be granted a crown, the emblem of a winner. It is a gift of eternal LIFE. The second death has absolutely no power or authority over those who are triumphant. They have been granted life everlasting. The second death is for the ungodly and involves eternal separation from all that is Godly. Rev. 2:10-11