Seven Promises for Those who Overcome:

2. Not Hurt by the Second Death

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Rev 2:11

We are in a series looking at the promises Jesus makes to his Church in Revelation. These promises are for ‘those who overcome’. Some translations of this replace the word ‘overcome’ for ‘victorious’. It is worth repeating that we can only overcome and therefore be victorious if we are hidden in Christ (Col3:3). As Jesus said: If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5ff). We take no pride in our own efforts. Only Jesus offers a way out from under sin and temptation in such a way that, if we endure and persevere, we will overcome (1Cor10:13). We can be victorious over sin, the world, and the devil through Jesus.

Here in the early chapters of Revelation Jesus is dictating to the apostle John specific letters to specific churches in their specific situation. In this second letter, Jesus is addressing the church in Symrna. Smyrna is the only church in Revelation for which Jesus has no direct corrective or rebuke. Symrna was a church that was suffering for their faith. Jesus says to them ‘In know your affliction’. Indeed its famous bishop, Polycarp, was martyred in 155AD. (If you have time, read the account of Polycarp’s martyrdom, it’s so inspiring!)

The saddest thing was the persecution was coming from the Jewish community (Rev 2:9). These non-Jew believers (evangelised by Jews) now found no home in the synagogue. The Churches of Asia minor had to start their worship gatherings away from the synagogue. They had been separated because of what they believed. It was in this region that these believers first started to be called Christians. Though salvation has come from the Jews (John 4:22), it seemed that this message of Jesus had now brought the promised sword that divided (Matt 10:34-36).

Persecution comes in many forms: losing our friends, our job, or even our life. Many in the world have been executed for their faith in Jesus and their refusal to recant. Not many of us in New Zealand truly suffer for our faith. Sometimes we may even compromise our beliefs to fit in. However, there will be situations when we will be called to stand got what we believe.

Jesus knows our story from the end of time. He has an eternal perspective. 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….(Rev 2:10). If we remain faithful even under duress there will be a reward. The crown of someone who has overcome!

As Michael Wilcox puts it: Nowhere does the New Testament promise freedom from suffering in this life; indeed, without the cross, there will be no crown. But what God does guarantee is that though the church may suffer even the death of the body, she will not suffer the death of the soul.

As William Barclay put it: In this life, it may be that a Christian’s loyalty will bring them a crown of thorns, but in the life to come it will surely bring them a crown of glory.

Just what is ‘the second death’? The only place in the Bible that use this term is Revelation:

(Rev 20:6) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

(Rev 20:14) Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

(Rev 21:8) … they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.’

So it seems to mean the death of eternal separation from God and the fires of judgement. I am glad to see Jesus says we will not be hurt by the second death. How? When you gave your life to Jesus you died your FIRST death. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,[…] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved (Eph2:1,4). The life you are living is in Christ because you died: (Gal 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Not being hurt by the second death also means that Jesus is near and will comfort those who are facing death for the sake of Jesus. There are many testimonies of revelations of God’s presence and peace for the many saints who have been martyred (e.g Stephen in Acts 7:53ff).

Jesus is comforting the church in Smyrna who will soon be suffering extreme persecution. He is saying He will be with them in the suffering. This also gives us hope in our suffering for our faith. In our life that there is a greater work and a greater reward for us who endure and overcome. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Rom 8:18).

Not only will we receive the privilege of eating from the Tree of Life we will also not have to fear being hurt by our physical death and the judgement of God. Jesus has done it all for us. He has paid the price and taken the weight of our sin and death upon his shoulders and overcame them all. He invites us to share in the victory and fins that we too overcome in Him.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33)

May God’s peace protect your heart and faith, and be your rear guard.

Blessings

Fraser