Do You Fear Suffering?
John Rigg
“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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” Revelation 2:10-11
Have you ever had someone try and tell you to do something that they have no experience in? You can often tell they have no experience in the matter other than what they have heard someone else say. I want to hear from somebody who owns the t-shirt, “Seen that, done that.” Experience carries a lot of weight with me. That is why, if I am looking for how to do something around my house, I seek out someone who has experience (or I look it up on YouTube).
The second letter that Jesus tells the Apostle John to write in the book of Revelation is addressed to the church in Smyrna. In that letter, Jesus says to them, “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).
The Christian church in Smyrna was under heavy persecution during this time, and Jesus knew the tribulation they were suffering and where it was coming from (Revelation 2:9). History tells us that Smyrna once was a center for Emperor worship. In fact, archaeologists have discovered coins portraying Nero, dedications to the emperors Titus and Domitian, and statues of Domitian, Trajan, and Hadrian (Yamauchi, New Testament). These artifacts all demonstrate Smyrna’s devotion to the emperor.
So as the transformed Christian church began to demonstrate its allegiance to Jesus Christ and not the emperor, persecution and tribulation came upon them. Some would be thrown into prison, and some would suffer death.
Why trust Jesus? What makes someone read this letter and then continue in the faith? The answer is in the opening of the letter. Revelation 2:8 says, “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.’”
The command, “Do not fear,” comes from our Lord; someone who has suffered the persecution of the world, died, was buried, and then experienced God raise Him back to life.
As you live out your life as a follower of Jesus, are you surprised when persecutions come? Do you get mad at God or want to give up on following Jesus? Maybe you have an unreal expectation of Christianity and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?
The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:12-14, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
We can trust Jesus because He is not commanding us to do something that He Himself has no experience in. The Bible repeatedly states that persecution should not come as a surprise to us but should be expected. God uses the sufferings of His children as testing of faith and promises life to those who endure.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’” Revelation 2:11