Jesus Himself Our Comfort in Suffering [Family Worship lesson in Revelation 2:8–10]

What comfort is there for suffering Christians? Revelation 2:8–11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord’s fellowship with us and knowledge of us is the sweet, sustaining comfort for suffering Christians.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.12.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Revelation 2:8–11

Read Revelation 2:8–11

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does Revelation 2:8 address? How does Jesus identify Himself to them? What three things does He know about them (Revelation 2:9)? But what is their ultimate condition? What does He know about whom else? What do they call themselves? What does Jesus call them? What does He tell them not to do (Revelation 2:10)? What are they about to do? Who is about to do what to them? So that what may be done to them? For how long? What must they do? Until what happens? And who will give them what? Whom does Revelation 2:11 address? What is he to do? Who is speaking? To whom? About whom? By what will he not be hurt?

What comfort is there for suffering Christians? Revelation 2:8-11 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord’s fellowship with us and knowledge of us is the sweet, sustaining comfort for suffering Christians.

The Lord Himself has suffered. Smyrna was a hotbed of the cult of the emperor. Jews were exempt from having to worship him, so it was profoundly harmful when they disowned the Christians, and believers lost that protection. But the Lord Jesus knew what it was to be turned upon by the Jews and betrayed unto the Romans. He is not only the Living God (“the First and the Last,” Revelation 2:8). He is also a true man “who was dead and came to life.” This is important, because of the saints in Smyrna are about to die for the faith: “be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). He is both the God Who can give them this life and the Man Who has been there before.

The Lord knows their suffering. It is important that He also knows their works. Believers who suffer may wrongly conclude that they have brought their suffering upon themselves. It is possible that these faithful believers were being shamed as overzealous or foolhardy by those who saw offering a pinch of incense as a small, wise compromise. By coming and speaking pure comfort to them and noting that He know their works (Revelation 2:9), the Lord affirms that they have not brought their suffering upon themselves.

The Lord knows their true condition. Jesus says to them, “but you are rich.” This is their true condition in the Lord. Often, we ourselves do not know our true riches, our true blessedness, our true peace. We can be overwhelmed by visible, palpable circumstances. We forget our riches. We need to be told by Christ. When He Who tells us this is Himself more riches than all creatures taken together, it rings true. They were truly rich. If you are a believer, you are truly rich!

The Lord knows what the wicked are doing. Jesus’s denunciation of the Smyrnian Jews is scathing. By disavowing the Christians, they have rejected Christ. This is not just treachery against man but blasphemy against God. Like all churches that abandon the truth about Christ, they “are  synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9)—making them the equivalent of some Jews whom Jesus encountered in His earthly ministry (cf. John 8:44). What  comfort to know that, even if the whole world sees nothing wrong in their behavior, the Lord Himself knows it and condemns it.

The Lord knows what the wicked will do. He tells them not to fear. But it’s not because there isn’t anything fearful in front of them. Indeed, it’s not just the Jews or the people of Smyrna who are against them; it is the devil himself (Revelation 2:10). Some of them will be imprisoned, but others will have to be faithful unto the death. But in either case, the devil’s purpose is secondary to Christ’s superintending purpose. Those who are imprisoned are being tested—having their genuineness proven and displayed. Those who die are receiving the crown of life. And “ten” being one of the numbers of completion, the implication is that this suffering is for a predetermined, set, limited time. We don’t know what the wicked will do. But the Lord knows. In fact, they will do whatever He has intended for good.

Live twice, so that you may die only once. Having told them all of these things, the Lord puts all of this into an eternal context for them. If they are born again, if they have “ears to hear” (Revelation 2:11), the new ears of the new life, then they will be those who overcome by virtue of the life of Christ in them. We must live twice; we must have this new life, because there is a second death coming in which those who have suffered the first death outside of Christ are cast into the lake of fire (cf. Revelation 20:14). It would be eternally, infinitely foolish of us to try to escape the harm of persecution in this life, or even of death, only to suffer the harm of the second death.

So Jesus, by His Spirit, through His ministers, speaks these things to the churches. He speaks these things to you. Dear suffering Christian, the Lord knows all about it, and He sends you this word of comfort. And if you are not currently suffering, note that Your Savior still sends you this word. Take it to heart, so that if the day should come in His good and wise providence, you will be prepared to suffer well: not fearing, being faithful until death, and overcoming by faith.

What have you suffered? What are you suffering? How have you coped with it in the past? How are you doing so now? What can you do to bring this passage to bear upon that suffering? How can you be praying for other Christians who are suffering?

Sample Prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding us that You Yourself have suffered and overcome. Forgive us, for we have sometimes been unwilling to suffer. And we have been forgetful of Your sympathy, fellowship, and compassion. So, we have been fearful, or we have wavered in our faithfulness. But You have come, in Your Word, and comforted us by Your intimate, personal knowledge of our circumstances. Forgive us our sin, and strengthen us in Yourself we pray, in Your Name, AMEN! 

 Suggested songs: ARP59A “Free Me, My God” or TPH509 “Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me?”

2024.12.25 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

Click below for the:

December 25 Prayer Meeting Folder

Proverbs 8:1–11 sermon outline

We urge you to assemble physically, if possible, with a true congregation of Christ's church. For those of our own congregation who may be providentially hindered, we are grateful to be able to provide this service.

IF you are unable to get the stream to work, or simply wish to save on data, you can listen in simply by calling 712.432.3410 and entering 70150 at the prompt.

Each week we livestream the Lord's Day (Sabbath School, Morning Public Worship, and p.m. Singing and Sermon) and Midweek Meeting (sermon and prayer). For notifications when Hopewell is streaming live, install the CHURCHONE APP on your [Apple], [Android], or [Kindle] device, and enter hopewellarp for your broadcaster.

Delivered by a Guilt-Bearing Husband [2024.12.22 Evening Sermon in Numbers 30]

The authority and protection of fathers and husbands should properly display the benefits of adoption by the Father and union with Christ.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Inappreciable, Invisible, Invincible Kingdom [2024.12.22 Morning Sermon in Matthew 13:31–43]

In this marvelously encouraging passage, the Lord Jesus holds Himself before us, in His love, His wisdom, and His power, which is surely bringing His people to the gloriously blessed end which He has determined for them.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

How to Pray the Right Way [2024.12.22 Sabbath School in Westminster Confession 21.3b—Hopewell 101]

We continue studying through the Scriptural doctrine that our congregation confesses. This week, we continued Westminster Confession chapter 21—considering the second half of Article 3, and the manner in which we must pray, since prayer is worship.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Self-Destructive Response to Preaching [Family Worship lesson in Amos 7:10–17]

What responses to God’s judgment should we watch against? Amos 7:10–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should watch against any murmuring or complaining against God’s judgment or those who preach it.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.12.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Amos 7:10–17

Wednesday, December 25, 2024 ▫ Read Amos 7:10–17

Questions from the Scripture text: Who speaks in Amos 7:10? What office does he hold? To whom does he speak? What office does he hold? About whom does he speak? Of what does he accuse him? What does he say about his words? What had Amos said about Jeroboam (Amos 7:11a–b)? and about Israel (verse 11c–d)? To whom does Amaziah speak in Amos 7:12a? What does he tell him to do (verse 12b)? What does he call him? Where does he tell him to go (verse 12c)? What does he imply about Amos’s motive (verse 12d–e)? Where does he tell him to stop (Amos 7:13a)? What does he call that place (verse 13b)? Who speaks in Amos 7:14a? To whom? What does he say was not his vocation (verse 14b–c)? What was (verse 14d)? And what else (verse 14e)? But Who made the change (Amos 7:15a)? And what did He tell him to do (verse 15b–c)? Whose people are they? With what formula does Amos begin his speech in Amos 7:16–17? What does he say that Amaziah has said (verse 16b–c)? But what does he now specifically prophesy about Amaziah’s wife (Amos 7:17b)? And what does he prophesy about whom else (verse 17c)? And what does he prophesy about what else (verse 17d)? And what does he prophesy about Amaziah himself (verse 17e)? And what does he prophesy about the nation as a whole?

What responses to God’s judgment should we watch against? Amos 7:10–17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should watch against any murmuring or complaining against God’s judgment or those who preach it.

Don’t shoot the messenger (Amos 7:10). It’s a common enough saying, but when it comes to faithful preachers of the Word, that’s all that the offended can do. Truly, it is YHWH Who has said that Jeroboam shall die by the sword and all Israel surely be led away captive from their own land (Amos 7:11). But men cannot attack the living God. He is untouchable. We see all of the mediatorial offices in Amos 7:10: a priest, a king, and a prophet. And it is the priest who is indignant with the faithful prophet. Let men be careful not to bristle or lash out against the man who speaks God’s words to them; this will not end well for Amaziah.

Common accusations (Amos 7:11–12). Amaziah doesn’t deal at all with any of the substance of Amos’s preaching. Remember, the Lord began by painstakingly established His justness (chapters 1–2) and presenting His case (chapters 3–5). Only then did He pronounce the sentence/woes of Amos 6:1–7:9. The Lord did not owe this to Israel, Jeroboam, or Amaziah. But in presenting His case so clearly, He has left them even more without excuse.

So what does Amaziah do? He attacks Amos’s motives. He accuses him of being personal/political. “Flee to the land of Judah” (Amos 7:12c) isn’t just a recommended change of venue. It implies that Amos is a southern man, with southern leanings, and he belongs down there in the south. And “there eat bread” (Amos 7:12d) isn’t counsel to take nourishment. It implies that Amos’s words are mercenary not ministry, that he’s in it for the money. When people attack the Word of God, they often attack the motives of the one speaking those words. And their attacks often include these two types. Let us not be surprised if they are levied against us. And if ever we catch ourselves thinking such things about a preacher of the Word, let us make certain that we are not actually trying to evade biblical truth in what he says (whatever the mixture of motives may be).

Religious Pride (Amos 7:13). The king’s residence was actually at Samaria (cf. Amos 6:2). So, when Amos 7:13c uses the word “house,” it most likely means “temple,” as that word is also often used that way. This corresponds well to the “holy place of the king” in Amos 7:13b. It has been several hundred years since Jeroboam I set up his manmade YHWH worship in Bethel, with its own priesthood and religious calendar. Amaziah doesn’t just fail to see that this worship is offensive and provoking to God. He actually thinks that these manmade religious traditions are too sacrosanct to be subjected to Amos’s denunciations. Men reveal how ingrained their idolatry is, when they actually think that it is holy and defend it with such zeal.

The Innocence of the Preacher (Amos 7:14–15). Not every sound preacher is a faithful man. Sin and sinners are complex. Many a sound preacher has been justly liable to such accusations as Amaziah has made about Amos. That still doesn’t negate their sound words, but Amos is not one of them. He is not financially motivated at all. This wasn’t his business (Amos 7:14b) or the family business (verse 14c). And, he made a much better living before he became a preacher. The word for “sheepbreeder” (verse 14d) is different than that for “shepherd,” and implies a higher position above the shepherds. Indeed, his agricultural employments were diversified verse 14e), implying that Amos was actually fairly well off before YHWH called him out of that. Furthermore, Amos 7:15 answers the arrogance of Amos 7:13 by reminding Amaziah that Israel are YHWH’s own people, and He has the right to prophesy against them.

Judgment against the Murmurer (Amos 7:16–17). It is not surprising that a priest would take a holier-than-thou attitude, or even any member of the holy people (cf. Numbers 16:3). In all likelihood, Amaziah felt that he was merely serving the greater interests of “Israel” and “the house of Isaac” (Amos 7:16). But the truth is that one who does this is often also venting his own spirit, and the prophesying was about to get personal. The “Your,” “Your,” “Your,” and “You” in Amos 7:17 are all singular. It was Amaziah’s own wife who would become a harlot (verse 17b), his own children who would be slaughtered before him (verse 17c), his own land which would be distributed to others (verse 17d), and his own death that would be in a land as pagan in name as the Bethel worship was in substance (verse 17e). We must remember that God’s judgment is not just macro and corporate. It is also (and, eternally, all-the-more) individual and personal. We must each deal with Him. And how will we do so apart from Christ? Oh, do not resist His righteous judgment, but repent and fly to Christ!

When have you spoken Bible truth to someone and received a response in the same vein as Amaziah’s? What Bible truths have been hard for you to hear, and how did you respond to that truth? To the servant of the Lord who proclaimed it? Since you deserve the same judgment as Amaziah, what is your hope for escaping it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are just when You speak, and blameless when You judge (Ps 51:4b–c). The sin is ours, and we have even shown that wickedness by our responses to being corrected by Your truth. Do not let us respond like Amaziah any longer, lest we come under judgment like his, or worse. Give us, instead, soft hearts that admit sin and repent, looking to Jesus Christ alone to be our righteousness and atonement, which He surely will be. For His sake, forgive us, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP51A “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH51C “God, Be Merciful to Me”

Honoring Others Under God [Westminster Shorter Catechism 64—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 64—especially explaining how because authority is from God, it must be employed for others’ good and treated with respect, whatever side of it you may be on.

Q64. What is required in the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors or equals. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How Jesus Uses Sacraments [Children's Catechism 125—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 125—especially explaining how Jesus uses baptism and the Lord’s Supper to mark His people off from the world and to comfort and strengthen them in Himself and their covenant with God in Him.

Q125. Why did Christ appoint these sacraments? To distinguish His disciples from the world, and to comfort and strengthen them.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)