Sermonette: Faithful Until Death

Sermonette: Faithful Until Death

The Letter to Smyrna
#908s
David C. Grabbe
Given 01-Nov-08; 17 minutes

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description: (hide) David Grabbe, acknowledging that God’s Church in these recent times has not been accustomed to enduring widespread persecution and suggesting that this respite might not continue, reads the letter to Smyrna, a rather abrupt letter written to seasoned veterans, giving them their final marching orders, ominously mentioning death three times. The purifying oil myrrh is sometimes given to those given to those sentenced to death to dull the senses. Myrrh is one of the spices used to embalm dead bodies. To the church of bitter circumstances, Jesus brings comfort, assuring them that He has been through death and has conquered it. Jesus, understanding that Smyrna is enduring tribulation, gives them comfort and encouragement that they will indeed make it. The reference to Jews does not pertain to literal physical Jews, but applies to spiritual Jews with circumcised hearts, who are forced to co-exist with spiritual tares. We must put a higher priority on genuine righteousness rather than appearance. The Pseudo-Jews persecute the genuine spiritual Jews. We must be prepared to give up our lives, if necessary, to demonstrate the steadfastness of our convictions.