This morning we’re looking at our 2nd message - the message to the Church of Smyrna - and the reassurance that Jesus gives to the Church of Smyrna - and us - about dealing with our fears.

There’s a story about a mother who was tucking her small boy into bed - during a severe thunderstorm - something like what we’ve had in the last few weeks. As she was about to turn off the light the little boy asked her in a trembling voice, “Mommy, will you stay with me all night?”

Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said, “I can’t honey. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room.”

After a long silence the boy said in a shaky voice, “The big sissy!”

We smile at that. Yet, the reality is that - if we choose to admit it - many of us have fears that we deal with. Listening to people around us - there are a lot of people who struggle with deep seated fears.

There’s a website dedicated to fear where people from all over the world have written down their greatest and deepest fears. Its very moving to read through what people have written.

Someone wrote, “I’m afraid of facing the truth of all I know to be true of me.”

A mother wrote, “I fear that something will happen to my children.”

Another: “I’m anticipating the fall where there is no safety net to catch me.”

Others wrote about falling behind - rejection - isolation - mental illness - success - loneliness - the feeling that no one really loves them or cares - and the list goes on.

How do we deal with our fears? How can we live trusting God today - knowing that God is in control of the future?

I invite you to turn with me to Revelation 2:8-11 - we want to look at what Jesus says to the church of Smyrna - and us - the reassurance that Jesus gives in dealing with our fears.

Revelation 2:8-11: “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. I know your tribulation and poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 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. He who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death.”

Smyrna was located on the west coast of Turkey where Izmir is today. It was a city of about 200,000 people - beautiful - prosperous - sophisticated - wealthy. It was a center of science and medicine. There was a large protected harbor - so it was a major trade center. It had been called “The Pride of Asia.” After Ephesus it was the leading city in the area.

And yet - curiously - in this sophisticated city the Christians were being persecuted. In this city of great wealth the Christians were impoverished. In this city of enlightenment Christians were being openly slandered.

The reason is that Smyrna - among many things - was also the center of Emperor worship. Smyrna was the first city chosen by Rome to build a temple in honor of the Emperor Tiberius. It was the first city to build a temple to the goddess Roma and the spirit of Rome.

Emperor worship became compulsory for every citizen. Once a year a citizen had to burn incense on the alter to the godhead of Caesar - and to openly declare “Caesar is Lord.” If they didn’t burn the incense and make the declaration - they were executed.

A simple choice - declare “Caesar is Lord” and live - or declare “Jesus is Lord” and take your chances. Most Christians refused the easy way out.

Polycarp was the pastor of the Smyrna Church. He was a stanch defender of our faith - a righteous and faithful brother in Christ - well respected and loved by Christians in the entire region.

During the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius - Polycarp was arrested. When he refused to sacrifice to the Emperor and declare “Caesar is Lord” - he was ordered burned at the stake. While the wood around him was on fire - this brother prayed and sang praises to God. When the flames didn’t kill him - the guards stuck spears into his body. Finally, after many attempts they were able to kill Polycarp and burn his body.

These Christians were harassed on every side - ostracized by the pagan society they lived in - persecuted by the Roman Empire - slandered by Jews - oppressed by Satan - and the only thing seemed worse to them was death. And, the threat of death was very real to the believers at Smyrna.

In all of this they were still remaining faithful to Jesus. But they were afraid. And, if anyone had the circumstances and reason to be afraid - it was the believers at Smyrna.

We don’t face that kind of persecution in America today - although many are justifiably concerned - fearful - that its coming. Our society has changed from Christian - to post-Christian - and is becoming anti-Christian. Even though we don’t face the same kind of persecution - whatever Jesus says to these believers in Smyrna - with the drastic basis for their fears - still applies to us today. Still can reassure us with the issues we struggle with.

What does Jesus tell the church of Smyrna to a calm their fears - to reassure them - to help us today to trust God - who is in control of the future?

First, in verse 9 Jesus says, “I know your tribulation - your poverty - the slander against you - the attack of Satan.”

Jesus says that He has COMPASSION for His church. “I know - I’ve been where you’ve been and they’ve done to me what they are doing to you.”

The word - translated here as “tribulation” or “affliction”- is a Greek word that describes a man being slowly crushed to death under a boulder - the burden - the pressure.

Jesus knows our tribulation - our afflictions. On the cross Jesus took the weight the world’s sin on Himself. The prophet Isaiah writes of Jesus, “Surely our griefs He Himself bore and our sorrows He carried....He was crushed for our iniquities....the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him....by oppression and judgment He was taken away....the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief if He would render Himself as a guilt offering.” (Isaiah 53:4-10)

Jesus knows our poverty. He set aside the riches of Heaven to live here with mankind. Jesus said of Himself, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Luke 9:58)

Jesus knows the slander that can be directed at us. Throughout His ministry He was constantly slandered - wrongly accused. Even today - He’s vilified and maligned.

Jesus knows what is like to be under Satan’s attack. When He was incarnate - for 40 days Jesus was in the wilderness being attacked by Satan. And, Satan continues to fight against Jesus today.

Jesus knew imprisonment. Before His crucifixion He was thrown in jail.

Jesus says, “I empathize with you. I know what it is like to suffer like you’re suffering. I know what its like to go through what you’re going through. You are not alone in your fears and doubts and concerns.”

Second Jesus says - verse 10 - “Do not fear.” Literally - Stop being afraid! “Regardless of what happens - I’m still in control.”

Jesus has compassion with us - and He’s in CONTROL of what will happen.

Look at verse 10 with me. Jesus says, “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.”

Notice this - for 10 days you will have tribulation. These 10 days are symbolic of a short - limited - definite period of time. In other words - you’re going to be put in prison - but you will not remain in prison. I - Jesus - have established a limit - a boundary - for your tribulation - and Satan cannot go beyond that boundary.

Satan cannot tempt us - or oppress us - or persecute us beyond what God allows. God is in control not Satan.

Look back up to verse 8 and how Jesus describes Himself. These are “the words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.” This is a powerful - reassuring - statement of who Jesus is.

He is “The first and the last.” He is the Lord of creation - the Lord of history - the Lord of the present and the future. All of creation finds its source in Jesus and its goal and completion in Him. Jesus says in Revelation 21: “I am the Alpha and Omega - the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 21:6) He is supreme over all creation. He is God and He is in control.

Then Jesus says, I am the one “who died and came to life.” Jesus was crucified - He died - He is resurrected and He lives. He is the Lord over life and death. Even if we fear death - the worst of what can happen to us in this life - Jesus is in control of what will happen.

Then in verse 11 Jesus says, “He who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death.”

There are worse things that can happen to us than physical death. All of us face two kinds of death: First comes physical death, and then - Second - spiritual death - eternal separation from God.

All those bizarre and evil movies - and T.V. programs - and video games - with the gore and demons and things - they focus our fear on what comes after death. They play on our fear of the unknown - unseen world.

The Bible is very specific about what happens to us after death. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.”- First death - then judgment.

In Revelation 20:11-13, there’s a description of all of mankind standing before the throne of God for this judgment. Revelation 20:14-15 says that death and Hades will be thrown into “the Lake of Fire” - which is symbolic of this second eternal death - this eternal separation from God. Revelation 20:15: “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.”

The Book of Life is the record of all those who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior. If our name is written in the Book of Life - we will be saved from this second - eternal death - and enter into eternity with God.

Jesus is in control of what happens to us - even after death. He who remains faithful to Jesus in this life - will not face eternal separation from God when He dies.

Jesus reassures us - He has compassion for us - He is control of what will happen. Then, third Jesus says in verse 10, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you THE CROWN of life.”

In Smyrna - to worship their pagan gods they wore a crown of laurel leaves. Or, a faithful citizen was given a crown as a reward. In contrast - Jesus says, “I will give you the Crown of Eternal Life.”

In the Bible - there are many crowns given to believers:

The crown of righteousness for a godly life (2 Timothy 4:8)

The crown of glory for faithful pastors (1 Peter 5:4)

The incorruptible crown worn by believers in heaven (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Finally, Jesus says - verse 11 - “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Jesus is saying, “You’re not listening to the words of men - but the words of the Holy Spirit - not just to the believers in Smyrna but to all the churches. Don’t take them lightly.”

We have a choice - to hear or not to hear. To fear or not to fear. To trust or not to trust. Jesus says, “I understand why you are afraid - I know your affliction. Know that I am in control. Trust me - even if it means death - and I will give you the Crown of Life.”