Just What We Need
Keep The Faith
October 18, 2020
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Drawing on Revelation 2's letter to Smyrna, the sermon urges believers to trust Jesus—the first and the last who has conquered death—and to courageously endure suffering as a purposeful means of sanctification, with the promise of the crown of life and victory over the second death.
Summary
Using the church at Smyrna as its example, the sermon emphasizes that Jesus knows our trials because He is the sovereign, resurrected Lord who holds the keys of death and Hades; therefore believers should not fear impending suffering but remain faithful even to death. The Spirit empowered Christ in His own suffering, and God’s plan can include trials (symbolized by “ten days” of testing) that serve sanctification rather than merely punish sin. In the covenant of grace there are assured conditional promises—faith and obedience bring heavenly rewards (the crown of life and exemption from the second death)—so Christians are called to patient courage, prayer, and faithful obedience even as culture grows less charitable to Christianity.
Key Points
- Context: Revelation 2 (letter to Smyrna) — a faithful church enduring scorn and oppression
- Key text: Do not fear what you are about to suffer; be faithful unto death; I will give you the crown of life
- Christ’s identity: the First and the Last, alive forever, with the keys of death and Hades — He has died and risen and therefore knows and has overcome suffering
- The Spirit empowered Jesus in suffering, showing suffering can be purposeful and trusted as part of God’s plan
- God’s plan requires courage: believers are warned not to fear imprisonment and tribulation (ten days as a testing period)
- Suffering is not only a consequence of sin but a tool for sanctification and testing
- Promise/reward: the crown of eternal life; the one who conquers will not be harmed by the second death
- Theology: salvation is by grace through faith; obedience and works produce additional heavenly rewards (the sermon framed covenantal promises as “unconditional conditionals”)
- Cultural note: American society is becoming less charitable toward Christianity, increasing the need for faithful endurance
- Pastoral call: pray, remain faithful, trust Christ’s knowledge and provision, and persevere in obedience for eternal reward
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