January 30, 2022

“I know your works, tribulation, 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.” Revelation 2:9

Jesus intimately knows all of our struggles and triumphs, both large and small. His message to the early church at Smyrna was a greatly needed encouragement to them. The church there in Smyrna was indeed poverty-stricken. But Jesus tells them they are rich! This is because they held dear the truths of the Word of God above all else. Yes, they were truly rich. Their love for Him kept them faithful through the severest trials. Because of their faithfulness, they suffered horrendous persecution under pagan Rome. A history snippet: the Roman gods were capricious, unpredictable, and possessed the worst of human characteristics such as rage, violence, and seething jealousy. Whenever troubles developed in the empire, it was widely assumed that the gods were angry due to not being properly worshipped. Naturally, anyone faithful to Jesus qualified as a cause of trouble.

The letters from Jesus to the seven churches contained in Revelation chapters 2 & 3 were directly applicable to the early churches that were situated in Asia Minor. An interesting practical detail is that they are listed in the order of the mail route as one would travel the circle of those cities. Amazingly, there is also a prophetic application, as the messages, in the order they are given, apply to the New Testament Church as it has progressed through ups and downs over the last two thousand years—including the good, the bad, and the Dark Ages! The struggles described may also apply to the life of a single church as it goes through its course. And, by all means, it can apply to an individual person in his or her relationship with the Lord while walking through this fallen world, which is certainly a veritable minefield of tests, traps, temptations, and snares. It is a good practice to read and study these seven letters regularly.

Beloved, as you face trials and uncertainties, hold on to your riches! Nothing in this world compares to your relationship with Jesus. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (1 Corinthians 1:20) Yes, Jesus knows. This fact should bring comfort and encouragement. He also knows “the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not…” To be a Jew should have had a positive connotation. The church originally consisted of faithful Jews who followed the Lord Jesus. Of course their faithfulness to Jesus brought a separation from those who refused to acknowledge the long-awaited Messiah.

And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who  is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. Romans 2:27-29