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 life as your victor’s crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
“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.” They are told that they will suffer and that some will go to prison to be tested by Satan. Jesus assures them that their accuser will try to harm them, but Christ will use the Devil’s evil intentions to refine and prove them. It is most often interpreted that the ten days reference is an indication that this will be for a definite but limited time. One could also interpret that Jesus knows it and will control its duration.
This past week, 29 Christians died in a bus attack and injured at least another 20 people. The attack killed children, as well as men and women. The travelers were going to a monastery. Pope Francis has declared them to be martyrs and prayed publicly for them at St. Peter’s Square.
We, as Christians in a local church and the universal church of believers, must be aware that those who oppose and reject Christianity will oppose and persecute us. This is a truth. I personally believe that it is crucial for those who call themselves Christian to get off the fence and believe, really believe. I believe that God is putting crisis in people’s lives to make them decide. I see it in many examples in the people around me. But as Christians in a society that is leaning heavily on opposing Christians, we should expect to be slandered as anti-choice, anti-diversity, anti-gay, anti-inclusion, anti-intolerance. We can expect economic boycotts, government restrictions, and social ostracism. Eventually, more severe persecution and even imprisonment will likely be our experience. This is, of course, already true for followers of Christ around the world.
“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.” (Ja 1:12)
This victors crown is eternal life. It is the reward for all whose faith is in Jesus Christ. There is something far worse than physical death, it is the spiritual death. This is the second death. It is referred to in Revelation 20 and by Jesus as the lake of fire. Revelation 21:8 says these people will experience this second death, “the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars – their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and Sulphur, which is the second death”.
The challenge is to “whoever has ears” and will listen to what the Spirit says. If you will endure through suffering, which is but for a time, and be spiritually rich having been tested and not failed, you will be a victor and will not endure the eternal death of your spirit but have the eternal life with God.
Perhaps it is appropriate that we read and study this church near the holiday of Memorial Day. A day set aside to remember and honor all those who have given their life for our freedom in combat. Many in this church would be martyred for their refusal to worship anything besides the Living Christ.
The most widely known and recorded is Polycarp. Most of what we know today is from the writings of Polycarp’s student Irenaeus. Polycarp was, as best as can be determined, the last student directly trained from an Apostle. He was trained under John. In one of Polycarp’s letters to the church of Philippi, he includes phrases from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 1 and 2 Peter, 1 John, and Jude. This indicates that these early churches were all reproducing these letters from the Apostles and distributing them to one another and that they considered them as sacred texts.
Polycarp is known for disagreeing with the Pope over the observance of Easter. The Pope directed all the churches to recognize Easter and not Passover, but Polycarp and a handful of these churches disagreed and they recognized Passover.
Polycarp was burned at the stake in 155 AD. The record of his martyrdom is the oldest account of a Christian dying for Jesus outside of the New Testament.
This victors crown is eternal life. It is the reward for all whose faith is in Jesus Christ. There is something far worse than physical death, it is the spiritual death. This is the second death. It is referred to in Revelation 20 and by Jesus as the lake of fire. Revelation 21:8 says these people will experience this second death, “the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars – their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and Sulphur, which is the second death”.
Perhaps it is appropriate that we read and study this church near the holiday of Memorial Day. A day set aside to remember and honor all those who have given their life for our freedom in combat. Many in this church would be martyred for their refusal to worship anything besides the Living Christ.
The most widely known and recorded is Polycarp. Most of what we know today is from the writings of Polycarp’s student Irenaeus. Polycarp was, as best as can be determined, the last student directly trained from an Apostle. He was trained under John. In one of Polycarp’s letters to the church of Philippi, he includes phrases from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 1 and 2 Peter, 1 John, and Jude. This indicates that these early churches were all reproducing these letters from the Apostles and distributing them to one another and that they considered them as sacred texts.
Polycarp is known for disagreeing with the Pope over the observance of Easter. The Pope directed all the churches to recognize Easter and not Passover, but Polycarp and a handful of these churches disagreed and they recognized Passover.
Polycarp was burned at the stake in 155 AD. The record of his martyrdom is the oldest account of a Christian dying for Jesus outside of the New Testament.
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