Title: Faithful Faithful Revelation 2:8-11
Description Polycarp, who was the bishop of the Church of Smyrna, is a friend and disciple of the Apostle John. At the age of 86, he was burned at the stake and martyred. At that time, the Roman governor offered to not kill Jesus Christ if he publicly cursed Jesus Christ just once, but Polycarp refused, saying, "I have served him for 86 years, and he has never harmed me. How can I blaspheme him?" and was martyred.
Among the seven churches in Asia Minor, the churches that received only praise are the Church of Smyrna and the Church of Philadelphia. The word ‘Smyrna’ means ‘bitter’. It is now the second city of Turkey, Izmir.
At that time, Roman emperors were worshiped as gods. However, Christians confessed that “Jesus Christ is my Lord” and went on the path of martyrs.
Revelation 2:10 says, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” True faith breeds loyalty. Faithful and Faith, Marthdom and Witness have the same etymology. What should a faithful believer do?
First, make sacrifices. “Be faithful to death” means sacrifice. The revival and development of the church is also achieved through faithful members. The Bible promises to give the crown of life to those who are willing to sacrifice and are faithful.
Second, you must not apostate. Rome has the Catacombs, the underground churches of the early Christians. It is said that over 2 million people died there. Even in difficult circumstances, Christians' loyalty to God did not change.
Even in the dark ages of the Middle Ages, 50 million people died while keeping their faith, and 1 million were martyred during communism in China. Why is this so? It was in order not to betray God.
Third, the outside and inside must be the same. Words and actions should be the same. The Bible says, “Do not be blindfolded, as pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God in your heart, and with a glad heart, serve, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Ephesians 6:6-7). Be obedient to your masters of the flesh in all things, not blindfolded, as pleasers, but in a sincere heart in the fear of the Lord” (Colossians 3:22)
It is said that there was a strange statue on the porch of a nobleman's house in Europe. One side is smiling and the other is grimacing, but it is said that it was a satire on the appearances of servants with different exteriors and interiors.
Fourth, you must be diligent. Idleness makes us wear worn out clothes and starves us. Laziness is life's greatest enemy. A faithful believer must make sacrifices, not apostate, and must be diligent on the outside and inside. The crown of life is reserved for faithful believers.