REVELATION 2:8-11

“But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in
their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony
against them and the Gentiles” (Mt.10:17-18).
“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all na-
tions for my name’s sake” (Mt.24:9).
“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the
synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake” (Lk.21:12).
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have
persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent
me” (Jn.15:20-21).
“They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will
think that he doeth God service” (Jn.16:2).
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for
his sake” (Ph.1:29).
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim.3:12).
“For consider him that endured such contradiction [hostility] of sinners against himself, lest ye
be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb.12:3).
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some
strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings;
that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Pt.4:12-13).

2. The church bore up under poverty. The idea is that of having nothing and of being destitute and beggarly. Apparent-
ly many were being forced out of their jobs and having their property confiscated as lawbreakers. What happened was this:
Rome had instituted a law that said the state had to be the first loyalty of a citizen. To show that loyalty, the citizen had to
proclaim his loyalty once a year. This he did by going before local government officials and making the statement, “Caesar is
Lord.” Of course, a true believer and follower of Christ could not do this, for there is only one Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ.
This was the reason the church was being attacked so severely and suffering so much. (See DEEPER STUDY # 1, pt.3—
Rev.2:12 for more discussion.)

“And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son
of man hath not where to lay his head” (Mt.8:20).
“As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet
possessing all things” (2 Cor.6:10).
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he
became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Cor.8:9).

3. The church was spiritually wealthy. They were outwardly poor, but inwardly they were rich toward the Lord and
His mission. They were faithful to the Lord...
• loving Him and one another and even those who opposed them (agape love).
• ministering to all in need.
• studying and teaching the Scriptures.
• living righteous and holy lives.
And because of their faithfulness, they were filled with all the fulness of God’s presence. God poured out upon them the
riches of His grace and the fruit of His Spirit. As they walked day by day, they were filled with...
• love • longsuffering • faith
• joy • gentleness • meekness
• peace • goodness • self-control
God flooded them and carried them through all their trials. He strengthened and settled them, empowered and assured
them with His presence, the very presence of God Himself.

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Mt.6:20).
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Mt.19:21).
“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth” (Lk.12:33).
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his
power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Eph.1:18-19).
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and
made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the ex-
ceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph.2:4-7).
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus
my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may
win Christ” (Ph.3:8).
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Ph.4:19).
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