Postcards from the Edge

The lights were low. The stage was lit modestly and the sound of voices all around embraced me. On stage was a sincere looking singer with a guitar…he had a unique finger picking style, I notice those things. A djembe player pounded out the rhythms on his wooden drum. The words of the familiar song flowed from the speakers like a blanket over the congregation and when they landed on me, they landed more like a bolder. The sweet melody was not heavy but the meaning struck me for the first time, “He knows my name.” He, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The all-wise, powerful God, “knows my name.”

My name changed that night. I was still Aaron but that name meant something different now. It referenced a young man who had given all of himself to the God who had spoken his name. It was there in a Bible college chapel that I said to God, “whatever you want from me, I will do, just keep speaking my name.”

In Revelation 2:17, Jesus tells the members of this church that he will reward a new name to those who, “conquer.” Those who don’t give in to the Balaam and Nicolatan followers and instead choose to follow Jesus alone, would get a new name. The passage doesn’t say what the new name would be, in fact only the recipient of the name would know it. Names are powerful. More importantly, the character that we associate with our name affects how we live.

Take a few minutes to listen to the old song, “He Knows My Name” and ask yourself what ideas Jesus would associate with your name. Would he call you conquerer? Would he call you tender? As you ponder this, remember that the voice of Jesus is not one of condemnation, it is a voice of tenderness and invitation. Would he call you protector? What are the good potentials that God sees when he looks at you? Today, choose to live like the name Jesus gives you rather then the condemning name that your inner voice or satan gives you.

By Aaron Bjorklund  

Compromise. It’s a fighting word. It can be positive, as in fighting for common ground and mutual agreement, or negative, as in losing integrity or being placed in danger. It’s all around us, in huge arenas, like international politics and our professions, and smaller ones, like our individual relationships and daily decisions. In personal compromise, it seems the battle always comes down to living for the moment or a deferred benefit. Indulge now instead of waiting. Self before others. Jesus’ Lordship in our life.

It’s a fighting word for Jesus too. In this postcard he writes with a two-edged sword, a weapon, symbolic of his authority and judgement. He sends the message to his church, his bride in Pergamum (the name means married) to be wholly committed, wholly devoted. The pressures of persecution continually threatened them. Citizens were required to bow down to the Roman emperor, and their Christian brother Antipas was martyred for doing so. For those believers leaving pagan practices to follow Christ there was constant temptation to participate again. Jewish converts were asked to remember how Balaam made Israel compromise their relationship to the Lord and fall.

Revelation 2:14-15: But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. ¹⁵ So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

2 Peter 2:15: Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing.

Numbers 31:16: Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord.

You can read about the story in Numbers 22-24. Balaam influenced the Israelites to worship idols and turn away from God. Christ asked John to give a message to his precious church to come back to him, to leave those things that steal their hearts, and to be faithful even unto death. Why does Jesus commend their holding fast and ask for continued faithfulness? Can you identify your stumbling blocks? List the truth(s) you depend on to give you victory over temptation.

Living in the twenty-first century, we too are surrounded by powerful and pressuring gods of our culture. Their demands on us, especially through media, are relentless. We are faced every moment with the choice to love Jesus first and follow him one hundred percent. We too can be distracted, deceived, and become preoccupied with the peripherals of life. We are pressured to bow down to worldly pleasures and leave heavenly priorities and perspectives behind. It’s easier to conform to the culture than to the person and character of Christ. These are serious fighting words from Jesus to the church in Pergamum. It’s a matter of life or death, heaven or hell. There will be victory and rewards for the overcomers: relationship with the Bread of Life himself and a special name known only to you and him on a white stone. Jesus is fighting for you, what decision can you make today to join him in the fight for your life?

By Donna Burns  

When we observe Satan at the end of Revelation, we read of him as a dragon or as the ancient serpent (Revelation 20:1-3). He’s the one who is released to deceive the nations and the one who battles against God’s beloved. Yet, in the end, Satan lands in the lake of fire and sulfur forever with another beast and a false prophet (Revelation 20:7-10).

Revelation 20 uses strange language dripping with metaphor. It leaves many questions about Satan unanswered. What does it mean that he’s a dragon? How can he be restrained and then released? When a battle happens between God’s beloved and Satan, how does that practically unfold?

In addition, the metaphor of Satan being an ancient “serpent” clearly reflects the Genesis narrative (Genesis 3:1). But, what if we also study the first mention of Satan in the book of Revelation? When studying Scripture, it’s important to look within the context of the book to ensure we stay within the complete intended thought of the author. It’s interesting to note that the first mention of Satan in John’s book of Revelation is in a letter to the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:13). Letters are for real people experiencing real turmoil, and John refers to Satan in a slightly more tangible way.

Take a few minutes to get curious about this text and what it tells us about Satan’s dominion.

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. – Revelation 2:12-13

1. What can you observe about Satan and his character from this text only? List at least five things you notice.
2. What questions does this text leave to be answered about Satan? List at least five questions.
3. For an even more challenging question: How might Revelation 2 inform our understanding of Revelation 20?

Getting curious about God’s word and about specific characters in the story is a great way to help us develop healthy patterns of study. In conclusion, thank God for his Word and for whatever you discovered today.

By Yvonne Biel  

 This week we are studying Revelation 2:12-17. This video will help you understand the passage better and it will give you an idea how we decided what to teach in the sermon.

As you watch this video, it might be helpful to have your Bible out so you can follow along. We hope you’re encouraged and challenged as you watch.

By Ryan Paulson  

Warning: This might sound a little mystical, but have you ever noticed how faith thrives in the mystical? When we bump up against the supernatural and the difficult to explain, that’s when faith steps in. That’s when faith can grow. Today, we’re going to experiment with an exercise in imagination. This may be foreign to you, but if you’re willing, let’s give it a try.

Imagination is a powerful bridge to our soul. When used to experience God in God’s presence, imagination also becomes the gift we carry across to deliver to our soul. It’s when we stop to imagine the person, the work, the words, and the way of Jesus, we give ourselves the opportunity to bask in his glory and love. In our imagination, we ask God to help us capture a glimpse of heaven and then proceed to receive that glimpse of heaven within our soul. These opportunities are when we get to taste and see that God is good.

Today, let’s work our way through the letter to the church in Smyrna as we imagine ourselves receiving and reading a postcard in the mail. But, first we will stop to ask God to guide our imagination with his presence.

Dear Lord Jesus. You are alive today. You are actively working in my life and in my mind. Please guide my imagination today with your presence and please illuminate the treasure of your kingdom to me as I pray. Amen.

• Picture yourself walking to your mailbox to check for mail. Capture the moment in your mind by thinking about what it feels like to be going to the mailbox. Is the wind blowing? What sounds are you hearing? What do you expect to find?
• Next, picture yourself flipping through the mail to find a postcard. Before reading it, you scan it quickly to see who it’s from. It’s from Jesus. This letter was sent to you from Jesus himself. Stop to notice how it feels to receive a card from Jesus. Is there excitement, worry, shame, regret, love? What do you anticipate he might say?
• Now, go ahead and read the letter. “I know…” These are the first words from Jesus. “I know…” Sit with that thought. What do you think Jesus is referring to in your life? What does Jesus “know”?
• Keep reading, “I know your tribulation and your poverty and the slander of those who say they are and are not.” How does this feel? Jesus knows the trouble you’re in. He knows the areas where you feel empty and dry. He knows the slander of those around you. How is your heart responding to these words? Simply sit with Jesus in this moment. Receive those words from him.
• When you’re ready, keep reading, “Do not fear..” Listen carefully for the tone of Jesus’ voice here. “Do not fear what you are about to suffer…” What fear is your heart clenching onto right now? What fear does Jesus invite you to let go of? Simply sit with Jesus in this moment. Receive his words of freedom from fear.
• When you’re ready, let your eyes return to the postcard, “Be faithful…” is says. Jesus turns to commission you with his words. “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” What do the words “be faithful” bring to your mind? In what ways is Jesus commissioning you to be faithful?
• Let’s narrow the thought down to just today. What ways does Jesus invite you to be faithful to him today? Stop to notice any thoughts or expectations you may be loading on yourself instead of letting Jesus inform your thoughts. Simply put your own thoughts aside and sit with him in silence until you let him be the one to nudge you with one way you can be faithful.

Note: this could seem as silly as “paint” or “exercise” or “apply” or “love.” I could share stories of how Jesus truly spoke these specific words as his quiet invitation to “be faithful.”

Faithful Jesus. Thank you for this time with you today. Thank you for your postcard and for speaking through it to me today. Please fill me with your strength and your love as I remember that you know me to the core, you remind me to not be afraid, and you empower me to be faithful today. Amen.

By Yvonne Biel  

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

As a young man, I really admire men and women who have been walking with the Lord for many years. For some, it has been decades and decades of steady faithfulness. A few years ago, my grandfather passed away. I will always remember the celebration of his life at his funeral service. For over sixty years, he walked with the Lord, living in the way of Jesus with the heart of Jesus. As a result, he impacted many people’s lives. I remember walking away from that service very moved. As I have been here at South for three years, I have been fortunate to meet many of you who live the same way. So what’s the secret? How do we be faithful?

Here in Revelation 2:10, Jesus writes through John, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This letter to the Church at Smyrna is a letter to hurting people. As Ryan mentioned Sunday in his sermon, Jesus doesn’t always remove the heat, but he does release the pressure. We have looked at how Jesus knows what we are going through and encourages us to not fear. Today, we find the encouragement to be faithful.

We find great hope in our lives when we have the proper perspective. In Christ, we have victory in the end. We can be sure and confident in this. Assurance is the engine for endurance. The reality is, future hope empowers daily faith. It is so easy for me to become consumed with my present situation and lose sight of the ultimate joy and hope I have in Christ. Our faithfulness should not be determined by our circumstances. As author Jon Bloom writes, “If the future joy Jesus promises is real and you believe him, there is no circumstance that can steal your thanksgiving.”

So what does this look like in our everyday lives? I really believe we are not called to just endure this life, but to truly thrive and find joy along the way. As I have met with older and wiser Christians over the years, I greatly admire their consistency. They have shown me that our habits can really change our lives. We are to be faithful through embracing the little things. Over time, we can actually change our mental pathways. In a way, it is like training before war, building habitual muscle memory. We cling to the security and identity we have in Christ as we live faithfully despite pain and difficulty. While this is far easier said than done, it is made possible through relying on the Spirit working in our lives, who helps us each and every moment along the way.

Today, take a few moments to reflect. First, think about all the ways that God has been faithful to you. Counting these blessings can help re-orient our perspective. Then, consider the areas of your life you are living faithfully. Are there any areas you could re-commit to being faithful? Close by bringing these reflections to God and ask Him for strength on the journey.

By Billy Berglund

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

When I was younger, I can remember times when fear could actually keep me from doing something. There was a summer when I was away from my parents, staying at my grandparents’ home, and I was told some very scary stories involving basements. My fear was so great I would avoid any prospect of going into a basement, any basement. I just couldn’t set aside my fear. I was firmly in its grip.

Today, fear is something we are met with every day, sometimes several times a day. Everywhere we turn, whether we’re listening to the news, reading articles on the web or in the paper, engaged in conversations with friends, family members, co-workers, we meet this emotion head-on. It’s ever present and rarely far from us. Just like my personal experience, fear can consume us and even shut us down if we let it, causing us to be paralyzed with fear. More than likely, as you’re reading this, thoughts surrounding fear begin to come to mind.

As believers, we read stories of Christians in the world being persecuted for their faith, losing their places of worship, and even losing their lives. These Christians find themselves in a similar emotional place as those believers we read about in Smyrna. These ancient Christians were being persecuted, and sometimes killed, for their faith. In their case, they received word from Jesus “fear not,” even in death. Jesus knew what they were experiencing, and also knew it would get worse. But, there’s also a hint that it wouldn’t last forever.

In reading and studying the scriptures, we find this close presence of fear isn’t a new thing. It’s been this way since Adam and Eve first realized their actions altered dramatically the relationship they enjoyed with God. In reading a portion of the words of Jesus to the Christians in Smyrna, try to see things as they would, or perhaps even envision yourself as a persecuted Christian today.

¹⁰ 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. – Revelation 2:10

1. Find three other scripture references where God stresses not having fear and consider the contextual circumstances. Are they similar to this context?
2. Does this call to not fear seem applicable to those who suffer persecution today? Why or why not?
3. How can you use these words in your own life to stimulate you to a lack of fear and experience peace?

By Rich Obrecht

“I know your tribulation and your 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.”

“I KNOW how you feel.” It was such a surprise to me to learn it’s not recommended to say this when I took college counseling courses. We truly can never KNOW exactly how another person is feeling or thinking. Even as comforting as it sounds to say and hear “I understand,” we don’t, we can’t, and never will as another human being. Each person experiences life uniquely. We can instead say “I’ll be here for you, I’ll listen to you, I love you”, when appropriate.

In the letter to the Smyrnian church members, Jesus himself empathizes with them, “I KNOW your tribulations, I KNOW your poverty, I KNOW the slander you suffer.” Jesus can say I KNOW because he is God. He KNOWS everything, past, present and future (Isa. 46:10). He KNOWS your heart, your every thought, your every motive (1 Chron. 28:9; Psalm 139). He is omniscient and omnipotent (1 John 3:20). And he not only KNOWS everything about you, he actually lived on earth and went through human suffering, tribulation, poverty and slander as God himself. Jesus is in the position to truly understand and KNOW what suffering the believers were experiencing because He is God (Hebrews 2:9-10).

Jesus KNOWS clearly and with certainty everything you experience (Hebrews 4:13). Jesus KNOWS the plan he’s established for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), and the path he’s designed for you to follow for your greatest benefit to the glory of God (Ephesians 2:10). When we suffer (not if), we need to realize Jesus is with us, he promises to never leave us (Isaiah 43:2). We can’t take any lack of intervention on God’s part as lack of attention (Job 34:21). He KNOWS the feeling of alienation, aloneness and being forgotten and promises never to forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). When we suffer, Jesus is for us. He KNOWS us intimately; he is trustworthy, merciful and just. And when we suffer, Jesus comforts us; the all-knowing God is also the all -loving God. The Smyrnian letter contains no rebuke or correction, only support, encouragement, and a promise of the crown of life for their faithfulness. Today, list the ways you know God knows what you’re going through. List the ways God comforts you. Revel in his love for you by listening to this song by Jeremy Camp, “He Knows.”

By Donna Burns  

 This week we are studying Revelation 2:8-11. This video will help you understand the passage better and it will give you an idea how we decided what to teach in the sermon.

As you watch this video, it might be helpful to have your Bible out so you can follow along. We hope you’re encouraged and challenged as you watch.

By Ryan Paulson