He Knows Part 3
REVELATION Number 41
He Knows Part 3
It is fitting, given the last thing the Lord said He knew about the fellowship at Ephesus, that the first thing He knows about the folks at Smyrna is their “tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Revelation 2:9 (NASB 2020)
We can all identify to one degree or another with being in tribulation. Here in the Unted States, religious persecution is very mild. We face other forms of tribulation such as weather events, political corruption, division, unrest, and apathy. Such things are common to everyone. In some parts of the world physical persecution is common and severe. Poverty is rampant and disease and pestilence are not uncommon. Tribulation comes in many forms. None of it is pleasant.
Many of us feel poor in spirit. We may feel that we do not have the requisite training. We may feel that we do not speak well, cannot contribute financially, do not live up to our station as saints often enough, or that we simply remain immature in our faith.
I love that the Lord corrects this misconception by stating the truth of the matter succinctly and definitively—you are rich. That He knows the value of the treasure we hold in these earthen vessels in which we reside is an immeasurable blessing. He sees us as we truly are.
His statement here that though we think we are poor, in truth we are rich evokes His words in Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NASB 2020) We are like those He depicts in Matthew 25:37–40 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’” (NASB 2020)
He goes on to say that He knows “the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”
Please know that the Spirit is not saying that Jews are wicked or evil. In fact, these comments referencing the most common issue of the day for the church in Smyrna, hold true today with reference to all religions including those calling themselves Christian. The Lord is talking about religionists who claim to be the children of God but actually serve the enemy.
Saints, this is so subtle. The enemy is crafty. 2 Corinthians 11:14–15 makes this very clear saying, “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” (NASB 2020)
From this part of the letter to Smyrna, we are admonished to be alert, not only to taking notice of false teaching, but also to the voice of Holy Spirit as He leads us in paths of righteousness. (see Psalms 23)
