Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application Orcutt Christian Church. A Grace Driven Church for Grace Needing People!

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1 Committed to Excellence in Communicating Biblical Truth and Its Application Orcutt Christian Church A Grace Driven Church for Grace Needing People! Rambling Round Revelation #8 The Lord's Church in Symrna Revelation 2:8-11 February 24, 2019 Communion: Bill Decker Care Calling: Robert Domingos Host: Carol Hill Saturday 2/23: Clean Up: Jeri Lorelli 1 No Other Name 15 2 Soon and very soon [ All] O that will be the glory [All] Doxology 5 When we all get to heaven [ v: 1,3] When the roll is called up yonder [v: 1,3] Find Us Faithful [Once] 456 Revelation 2:8-11 (NASB) 8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the doc last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 9 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'

2 The timing of this sermon on The Lord's Church in Smyrna is perfect. It's Sunday February 24 th. And, you are wondering what that has to do with anything. Stay tuned in, and you will soon see why I say that as you listen to what the Lord has to say to this fine congregation of Christian folk. As you read Revelation, don't despair if you don't understand EVERYTHING that you read. Keep in mind that this entire series on Revelation is on the church's website, and you can download and study what has been covered. Keep in mind that John is saying the same thing seven times. Keep in mind that you can't understand chapters 2 and 3 until you understand Chapter 1. Keep in mind that you can't understand the rest of the LETTER until you understand Chapters 2 and 3. In Chapter 3, Jesus says: Revelation 3:19 (NASB) 19 'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. The word discipline here is the Greek word παιδεύω paideuō verb and means to Train, teach, correct, chastise. The training takes place in seven areas: We are trained to love by the church of Ephesus We are trained to suffer by the church in Smyrna We are trained to tell the truth by the church in Pergamum We are trained to be holy by the church in Thyatira We are trained to be authentic by the church in Sardis We are trained to be mission of the church in Philadelphia We are trained to be in worship, to praise God, and to serve God from the church at Laodicea. From these lessons in teaching, I think you can get a glimpse of how worthwhile to know something about these seven congregations. I. Smyrna: The Flower of Asia

3 More than likely, the church in Smyrna was founded by Paul during his first missionary journey somewhere between 53AD and 56 AD. And, as you read these four short verses, I want you to note two things: First this is the shortest of the seven letters Second it s one of only two letters in which Jesus gives no negative criticism only commendations. Our lord saw fit to write only good things about the church at Smyrna. Now, before we get into the content of this letter let me tell you about the city where the church in Smyrna ministered. It was located about 40 miles north of Ephesus and, would have been the next stop a first century postman would make in his rounds to deliver these seven letters. Back then it was said that of all the cities in Asia, this particular stop on the postal route, the city of Smyrna, was the loveliest. In fact people often referred to the city of Smyrna as the FLOWER of Asia. Some called it the CROWN of Asia because in it s center was a high hill and around the summit of the hill was a ring of beautiful temples, temples dedicated to the false gods of the day, a ring of temples that made the hill look kind of like a huge head with a crown on top. Remember this because I ll allude to it later. Smyrna had a stadium in which famous games were held each year. It had a magnificent library and one of the largest theaters in Asia Minor. Plus, it claimed to be the birthplace of Homer. Smyrna had a great harbor. In fact it was a very safe place for merchants to take their ships because it could be completely shut off by a huge chain that could be pulled across its mouth. So the cruise ships and tankers that came into Smyrna didn t have to worry about pirates! After being destroyed twice smyrna was rebuilt The first time it had been rebuilt by Alexander the Great. But when it was destroyed by earthquake the second time, they did it in grand style. This time is was a planned development.

4 The streets and buildings were planned to magnify the beauty of the city. Larg, wide streets were planned so they criscrosed North to South, East to West. The streets that were made of stones laid in beautiful patterns. And the fact that this city had been destroyed and then rebuilt in such grand style led people to call it the city of life, because it had come back from the dead so to speak. That s another fact I want you to remember because I ll come back to it later as well. One of the most important things you need to know about Smyrna in order to fully understand this letter is the fact that it was a city that was very loyal to Rome. And this was widely known. In fact, Cicero once said, Smyrna is one of our most faithful and most ancient allies. And they were, the Smyrna-ites were VERY proud to be a part of the Roman empire. Patriotism ran high in those broad cobble-stoned streets! To give you an idea how patriotic they were, in the Asian campaign against Mithradates in 88 B.C. things had gone badly with Rome, so badly that the soldiers of Rome were suffering from hunger and cold. It is said that when the people of Smyrna heard this, they not only sent food,these citizens also stripped off their own clothes to send them to the Roman soldiers. Their reverence for Rome was so strong that in 195 B.C. Smyrna was the first city in the world to erect a temple to the goddess Roma a temple for the worship of the spirit of Rome. I t would be like Orcutt building a temple to worship Uncle Sam right where MacDonalds sits down at the corner of Clark and Bradley! And then in A. D. 26, when all the cities of asia minor were competing for the privilege of erecting a temple to the godhead of the emperor Tiberius, Smyrna won! It was selected for that honor, overcoming even her rival cities of Ephesus and Pergamum.

5 At the end of the first century Smyrna had about 250,000 residents, and about half of the population were Jews. Now these Jews who were eager to do two things. First, they wanted to please Rome because you Rome had exempted them from Caesar worship. The only thing they were more eager to do was give the Nazarenes a hard time. They called them Nazarenes because they followed Jesus of Nazareth. Now, in the beginning, emperor worship was nothing more than a spontaneous demonstration of gratitude to Rome, but toward the end of the first century, in the days of Domitian, well, Domitian made Caesar worship compulsory. It became law to worship the emperor. And ifany city was to take this kind of law seriously it would be a city like Smyrna that had such a love affair with the roman empire. So once a year every person had to burn a pinch of incense and say three words, Caesar is lord out loud in the presence of witnesses. When they did this they received a certificate, a certificate that was required to get a job and make a living. Okay, with that background in mind, lets think about the implications of Life in Smyrna for Christians. II. What was life like for the Christians in Smyrna A. Jesus is The First and The Last Revelation 2:8 (NASB) 8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: Notice that He's The first and the last He's the Alpha and the Omega, In the midst of the emperor worship, Jesus says He's the first and the last. But, He says more. The wonderful picture you get from more modern versions is he was dead and came to life again.

6 Easter is coming in just two months, and it focuses clearly on His Resurrection, The threat of death hung over the heads of the Smyrna Christian's and they could take great solace know that He who conquered death is there walking in their midst. B. They were undergoing severe affliction. Revelation 2:9 (NASB) 9 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Now the word that we translate, affliction is the greek word, thlipsis and it is a forceful word that means pressure, literal or figurative pressure. But don t think this refers to the ordinary pressures we all feel in day to day life. The pressure spoken of here is INTENSE PRESSURE, the kind that would be used to execute a man by making him lie down on the ground and then placing a great rock on him such that the weight of that rock gradually crushes the life out of him. That s the kind of pressure or affliction the christians in Symrna were enduring It's the kind of pressure that makes you feel like you re having the life crushed out of you. They were having the life pressed out of them for one reason, because of their loyalty to Christ. They were literally caught between a hard place and a rock. They were pressed between he Jews, and the pagans. In other words the members of this church were catching it from every side. The pagans were giving them a hard time for their refusal to worship the emperor and the Jews were giving them a hard time because they worshiped Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. It s interesting to note that the word Smyrna means myrrh which was a fragrant spice, But to get the fragrance out, first this spice had to be crushed.

7 Well, to me this illustrates the fact that the fragrance. or the richness of Smyrna s powerful testimony, came out of the crushing pressure of its suffering. C. They were enduring extreme poverty. 9 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) Now, there are two Greek words for poverty. One is the word for a man who has to work for a living. He has to work to eat and his income is so low that he barely makes it. He has nothing extra. He just gets by. He buys day old bread and is dependent on charity for his clothing. He's destitute. But that is not the Greek word for poverty that is used here. No this second word for poverty literally means they have nothing al all. It means absolute and utter destitution. So people this poor were not getting by. They were starving. Many of them were homeless. In fact, they had been deprived of the right to work and make a living. None of the trade guilds would hire them because they refused to worship Caesar and insisted on following Jesus, so they didn t have the required certificate. So, please understand, theses believers were dirt poor yet jesus said to them, you are rich. You have a powerful testimony! You are producing amazingly mature believers! To me this illustrates the fact that the best indicator or a church s health is the degree to which its members faithfully rely on Jesus for literally everything. And usually the only way we do that is if we have nothing else to rely on. As someone has put it, we don t get it through our heads that Jesus is all we need until Jesus is all we have. And this is a hard principle for many Christians to grasp.

8 Vance Havener writes, It is not easy to preach on Smyrna now-a-days. The average American congregation is in no mood to appreciate such a church. In a day of quick prosperity, it is not easy to interest a well-fed, well-clothed, well-housed Sunday morning crowd in the Smyrna brand of loyalty. We are not interested in what it costs to be a Christian, but in what we GET by being one. In a day of Health, Wealth, and Happiness in Ten Easy Lessons or Money Refunded, for many, Christianity has become simply a better way to get rich or have a big time. We would make a bellboy out of the Lord and a Santa Clause out of the Almighty. Unfortunately Havener is right. These days many believers have a warped sense of wealth. They focus on the temporary treasures of this world instead of the eternal treasures of Heaven. The churches of the first century were marked by material poverty and spiritual power, while many of the churches of our day are marked by material wealth and spiritual weakness. William Barclay says God down no so much need extraordinary people as he needs ordinary people whom he can fill with his power so that they can do extraordinary things. Well, what about you? You and I both are just plain ordinary people. How precious is Jesus and His kingdom to you? Do you find your own values reflected in this poem? I counted dollars while God counted crosses. I counted gain while He counted losses. I counted my worth by the things gained in store, but He sized me up by the scars that I bore. I coveted honors, and sought for degrees. He wept as He counted the hours on my knees.

9 I never knew till one day by a grave, how vain are the things that we spend life to save. I did not yet know, til a Friend from above, said, rich is he who is rich in God s love. So the believers in smyrna were enduring affliction and poverty, but that s not all. D. They were also facing slander and ridicule. Revelation 2:9 (NASB) 9 and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. And most of this came from the Jews who claimed to follow Jehovah but in reality were serving Satan himself. They did everything they could to make it hard on the Nazarenes. Here are some examples of the slanderous gossip they spread: Jews spread the rumor that Christians were cannibals. Since Christians shared communion that they said was representative of the body and blood of Jesus, The Jews claimed that the Christians gathered for orgies of lust and immorality. Why? Because the Christians called their common meal The AGAPE FEAST or the LOVE FEAST Due to the fact that Christianity did in fact often split families, when some members of them became Christians and some did not, the Jews accused the Nazarenes of breaking up homes and tampering with family relationships. But the Jews weren t the only ones slandering these Christians. Loyal Roman citizens the people of Symrna who worshiped Rome and its emperors they did this as well. They accused the Christians of atheism because they denied the existence of the gods of Rome. They also spread the rumor that Christians were incendiaries because they taught that the world would one day end in flames.

10 They even accused the believers of being politically disloyal citizens and potential revolutionaries because they would not obey the law and say, Caesar is Lord. I think of Christian chaplains in our military who are told not to pray in JESUS name because to do so would offend others. And I can t help but think of a story I read about this week that occurred a couple years ago. A couple years back when Southern Baptists planned to send thousands of young people to Chicago for the summer. It was to be mission trip that lasted three months. These kids were going to feed the homeless. They were going to help rebuild some neighborhoods. They were going to share the liberating news that Jesus died so that we might live. Well, when word got out that these kids were coming an article appeared on the front page of The Chicago Tribune that told about opposition that was building against these kids. And, it's most interesting whom was opposed to these kids coming into Chicago. The opposition from the Council of Churches. The members of this council wrote a letter to the head of the SBC saying, We don t want your young people in Chicago. We don t need your young people. What these young people will promote stimulates hate crimes. That is very much like the Jews of Smyrna. Unfortunately there are lots of other examples of this because Christians are slandered today. But we don t have it as hard as those 1st century believers did, at least, not yet. You see, to follow Jesus Christ in that town was to literally take your life in your hands. In Smyrna the church was a place for heroes. And one of its most famous heroes was the Bishop of Smyrna.

11 His name was Polycarp. He was martyred for his faith on Saturday, February 23, 155AD. This would have been during the public games that were held in Smyrna so the city was crowded and the crowds were excited. I m not sure what spark set things off but tradition says that in the midst of one of those crowds, suddenly the shout went up, Away with the atheists; let Polycarp be searched for! Polycarp had left the city because he was aware of the mood of the town in which he served our Lord. But he was tracked to his hiding place. Some say he was betrayed by another believer who was tortured for the information. But Polycarp made no attempt to flee. In stead he offered food and drink to his captors and asked permission to pray. Then as they traveled to the city, the officer in charge urged Polycarp to recant. He said, What harm can it do to sacrifice to the emperor? It s just a pinch of incense and three words. Well, Polycarp refused, When they arrived in Smyrna he was brought before the procounsul in the amphitheater who said, Polycarp, repent your years. Swear by the genius of Caesar. Swear and I will release you. Revile Christ and you will go free. Polycarp replied For 86 years I have served Him and He has done me no wrong; how can I then blaspheme my King Who saved me? The proconsul condemned Polycarp to be burned at the stake and when he issued this sentence it is said that the Jews forgot their Sabbath anti-work laws and eagerly ran to get wood for the fire. When the Procounsul issued the order to bind Polycarp to the stake, Polycarp assured him there were no need do do so. As Polycarp stood at the stake he prayed, O Lord, Almighty God, the Father of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ, through Whom we have come to know you.i thank You for counting me worthy this day and hour of sharing the cup of Christ among the number of Your martyrs.

12 Polycarp was just one of the more famous Christian martyrs of Smyrna and this persecution wasn t limited to this city. During the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the Christian Church was the subject of TEN imperial persecutions that lasted 250 years. It has been estimated that there were approximately five million Christians martyred from 64AD until 313 AD when Constantine issued his edict legalizing Christianity. And the persecution of Christians continues to this day. In fact, in countries around the world believers are persecuted more now than ever before. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, right now, in the age of tolerance, 2.2 billion people in 79 countries live under significant restrictions of their religious freedom. 225 million Christians live in countries where it is a crime to name the name of Christ and assemble to worship Him. In the southern half of the nation of Sudan, Christians have been mercilessly dying. Christian men are lifted on crosses in village squares and crucified to mock the Savior they worship and adore. It is reported that troops come in to a town, load Christians into flatbed trucks, and then drive them into the desert, dumping them there with no supplies no water left to die. They have been punished in this way for committing one crime they are followers of Jesus. Joseph Stowell president of Moody Bible Institute writes: A friend of mine said one of his best friends happened to be in the capital, where all the parents had been killed. He said the pattern is to kill the parents, make the kids into Islamic converts, and then sell them as slaves. He said he was walking through the capital of this country, and about 40 kids whose parents had been killed stood in the town square. The priest of the mosque came out, stood on a platform, and with a bullhorn told these kids to bow down to allah and repeat a prayer of conversion after him. All the kids went down except one. The kid looked eight or nine years old.

13 The mullah got angry and said, You bow down. I told you to bow down. If you don t bow down, I will kill you. This child said, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I cannot bow down. The mullah motioned to the guards, and they plowed him down. The kid dropped dead in a pool of blood. But as soon as that kid dropped, eight other kids stood up. So the Mullah said, I ll kill all of you. They didn t move. Four of them were murdered. Finally in anger he said, You re not worthy of death. Sell them all into slavery. That happened within the last year on our planet. Children said, Even if it means death, I will not renege on Jesus. I ll take up my cross and follow him. I wonder, could you be as brave? I mean, what would happen today if our government told us that to follow Christ would mean suffering and even death? You know that all the Symrna believers had to do was burn a pinch of incense once a year and say Caesar is Lord. From then on they could worship as they pleased. But for the Smyrna Christians it was wrong to cross that line. Well, I wonder, where is your line? How far are you willing to compromise before saying NO, I m not going to do that. I m not going to live that way because Jesus is LORD of my life? III. How Does Jesus Know of the afflictions and blasphemies? Revelation 2:9 (NASB) 9 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. I KNOW I am aware of your afflictions And, in Chapter one, Jesus said He was in the midst of the churches. Jesus had been where the church in Smyrna was.

14 HE UNDERSTOOD what the Smyrna believers are going through because He went through the same things Himself. J esus knows what it s like to live in extreme poverty. Remember, He was homeless. Remember He didn t even have a place to lay His head. Remember Jesus was also slandered and ridiculed. He was goaded and mocked and tortured even to the point of death. So Jesus had experienced everything those Smyrna believers had. I am sure that brought comfort to the Smyrnians. Well, Jesus admonishes these Smyrna Christians to do two things. A. First, He says, Do not be AFRAID. Revelation 2:10 (NASB) 10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Now does that admonition sound a bit strange? I mean, don t you expect Jesus to day, Fear not hang in there for I will alleviate your suffering. Or Fear not for your suffering will soon be over. I m going to put a stop to this. Or Fear not for I will destroy those who are persecuting you! But Jesus says none of those things. Instead He said, It s going to get worse. In fact, the devil is going to throw some of you into prison. And going to prison back then meant torture and depravation and death. Jesus doesn t explain WHY just that its bad and its going to get worse. B. The second thing Jesus says is, Continue to be faithful even to the point of IMPRISONMENT and DEATH. Revelation 2:10-11 (NASB) 10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'

15 And as I said earlier from that point on there were millions of died for their faith in Jesus millions who like old Polycarp were faithful unto death. Now how could they obey Jesus admonitions? How could they FEAR NOT and BE FAITHFUL, even through suffering and persecution even to the point of death? Well it is because of WHO said those words. They could PERSEVERE through suffering and imprisonment and even death because they had put their faith in the only One Who conquered this enemy that comes for us all. They put their faith in Him Who is the FIRST and the LAST. They put their trust in Jesus Who triumphed over it all and promises us eternal life. Do you remember those two things I told you about Smyrna earlier? Remember it was called the crown of Asia? Jesus KNEW about that claim. He walks in their midst and knows about the city in which they live so He says, Be faithful and keep following Me no matter how hard it is even if it costs you your life because I have defeated death so I can and will give you a CROWN OF LIFE! The crown of Asia is nothing compared to what I give to those who put their faith in Me. And then do you remember the other thing I told you earlier? The residents of Smyrna bragged that their city came back from the dead. Well, Jesus says, I ve heard that one too and bringing a CITY back piling a few rocks on top of each other to rebuild that s nothing! Anyone can do that. I can bring a PERSON back to life forever! And I ll do that for you! So these Smyrna believers knew that, to quote Mother Teresa, when we get to Heaven the worst suffering we will have endured on earth will seem like nothing worse than one night in a bad motel. We can endure because our persecution is temporary but our eternal reward is permanent. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (NASB) 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For

16 momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, Romans 8:18 (NASB) 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Prayer and Invitation

17 February 24 Lesson 13 (NIV) OUR RESCUING GOD DEVOTIONAL READING: Romans 8:31 39 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Psalm 91:1 16 PSALM 91:1 8, Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. Graphic: bitontawan / istock / Thinkstock

18 KEY VERSE He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15 OUR LOVE FOR GOD Unit 3: Songs That Glorify the God of Love LESSONS LESSON AIMS After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to: 1. Outline God s promises to protect. 2. Identify dangers from which Christians need God s protection. 3. Propose one way his or her church can extend the Lord s rescuing protection to those in need. LESSON OUTLINE Introduction A. Our Protection and Salvation B. Lesson Context I. Safe Place (PSALM 91:1 8) A. Basis of Protection (vv. 1, 2) B. Forms of Protection (vv. 3 8) Protection for the Lowly A Fateful Day II. Trustworthy Protector (PSALM 91:11 13) A. With the Help of Angels (vv. 11, 12) B. Against Nature s Predators (v. 13) III. Sure Promises (PSALM 91:14 16) A. Basis of Blessing (v. 14) B. Forms of Blessing (vv. 15, 16) Conclusion A. God Is Our Protection and Salvation B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember Bab-uh-lun. HOW TO SAY IT Babylon Constantine Kawn-stun-teen.

19 Habakkuk Huh-back-kuk. Lamentations Lam-en-tay-shunz. Maxentius Mak-sen-tee-us. Psalter Saul-tur. Introduction A. Our Protection and Salvation People understand protection and security in different ways. Children often feel most secure when in the strong and trusting arms of their parents, possibly holding a threadbare blanket or teddy bear. Parents might feel most secure in a safe neighborhood, with doors that lock and money in their savings account. A backpacker seeks protection from a storm under a rock overhang that can block the elements. As Christians, however, we know that our ultimate protection and security come from God. It is no wonder that the Bible uses images of strength to describe him: rock, refuge, fortress. No blanket or padlock can compare with the strong protection available from God. Elisabeth Elliot ( ) was well known for sharing the gospel with an indigenous tribe in Ecuador some 60 years ago. The title of her book Shadow of the Almighty alludes to the description of God in Psalm 91:1. As such, it highlights her belief in God s protective grace, even in dangerous circumstances. Elliot understood that God was not distant, but very close a steadfast refuge. And she lived out her trust in radical ways. Psalm 91 can teach us to live the same way. B. Lesson Context The historical setting of Psalm 91 is unclear, but the literary context sheds light on its meaning. The preceding psalm, Psalm 90 (which begins Book IV of the Psalter), is a lament. As such, it reflects mournfully about the fleeting nature of life, which withers under the wrath of God because of sin. That psalm ends with a petition for renewal from God. Psalm 91 seems to be a response to the lament of Psalm 90. Psalm 91 is comprised of four stanzas, which are distinguished by shifts in speaker. These four are verses 1, 2; 3 8; 9 13; and Analyzed in a more technical way, the structure of Psalm 91 has as its touchstone a certain Hebrew conjunction that can be translated in various ways. Depending on context, some possibilities for translating this word are for, that, if, and when. This word also can be an emphatic indeed, truly, or surely, again depending on context. In Psalm 91 this conjunction is translated surely, if, and because in verses 3, 9, and 14, respectively. We should also keep in mind that the psalms are poetry, and one of the defining features of Hebrew poetry is parallelism. As discussed in previous lessons, this is often seen where one line corresponds in

20 some way with the line that follows, as the second line repeats the thought(s) of the first line in different ways. Parallelism can also feature contrasting ideas or even show how one event or action leads to a certain consequence. While English poetry is often identified by the rhyming of words, Hebrew poetry has been described as the rhyming of ideas that s parallelism. I. Safe Place (PSALM 91:1 8) A. Basis of Protection (vv. 1, 2) 1. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. These first lines of Psalm 91 rhyme (see above) with the shared imagery of the Lord s protection for those who seek refuge in him. This echoes Psalm 90:1, which describes the Lord as Israel s dwelling place from generation to generation. The Hebrew word translated shelter carries the idea of a secret place to hide, per translations of the same word in Psalms 27:5; 31:20; and 32:7. This fact relates to the burning questions of Psalms 88:14 and 89:46, which ask why God is hiding. As the unidentified psalmist declares that God is a shelter, he implies that God is not hiding; rather, we hide in him. The opening whoever generalizes this fact. Everyone who seeks the protective shadow of the Almighty will find it. Notice that the one protected must actively seek the protection of the Lord. God s people are not passive participants in relationship with him, but active covenant-keepers. Throughout this psalm, the author alternates between the actions of the worshipper and the actions of God, thus highlighting the dynamic covenant relationship. On the idea of shadow, see also Psalm 63:7; Isaiah 49:2; and Lamentations 4:20. What Do You Think? Practically speaking, how can you rest in God s shadow in the coming week? Digging Deeper What Scripture texts or biblical principles have you found useful when you need physical, spiritual, or emotional rest? 2. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. This, the final part of the psalm s first stanza (see the Lesson Context), distills the previous metaphors into the simple, though sometimes difficult, idea of trust. The psalmist seeks refuge in the Lord specifically by trusting in him. Notice the transition of imagery from the previous verse, with those of refuge and fortress being more military in nature (compare 2 Samuel 22:2, 3). The Lord s steadfast strength is highlighted. These images bring to mind the confidence that the people of Judah once had in the protection and surety of Jerusalem and the temple. Before the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon, God s people mistakenly saw the holy city and the temple as their security and as proof of God s presence and protection (Jeremiah 7:4). After the exile, however, the Israelites come to understand that God himself is their true protection and security. What Do You Think? What procedure can we adopt to ensure we thank God for his protection? Digging Deeper In the prayer pattern adoration / confession / thanksgiving / supplication (ACTS), what percentage of your typical prayer involves the third of those? What does this say to you?

21 B. Forms of Protection (vv. 3 8) 3a. Surely he will save you from the fowler s snare The psalmist now expands on the protective imagery introduced in the first stanza. In so doing, he likens the reader to a bird delivered from the fowler s snare (compare Psalm 124:7; Hosea 9:8). The Lord is able to deliver his people from the trap of human enemies. 3b. and from the deadly pestilence. Pestilence, by contrast, is not something we normally think of as being inflicted on one person by another (although we know of biological warfare in the modern era). Rather, pestilence or plague is seen as being inflicted by God (see Exodus 5:3; 9:3, 15; Psalm 78:50; Habakkuk 3:5). It can be deadly. Just as birds are helpless before a well-constructed trap set by enemies, so human beings are helpless before destructive pestilence. This is particularly true in a time before antibiotics and vaccines, which is most of human history. 4a. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; God is now likened to a mother bird protecting her young in the shelter of her wings (compare Psalms 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; and Ruth 2:12). Jesus uses this same imagery to describe his desire to protect the people of Jerusalem, though their hearts are too hardened to seek him (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34). In so doing, Jesus echoes God s desire that people actively trust in him for protection. PROTECTION FOR THE LOWLY Recently, a robin flew out of the tall shrubbery sheltering my front porch, causing me to notice a hidden nest. In it were two tiny birds slouched down, with their open beaks waiting for a meal to drop in. When I again passed the nest later, I heard bird noises coming from a nearby bush. And there was a robin perched, worm in mouth, on a branch. It seemed to be calling to its young to lie still until danger passed. Sure enough, as soon as I was a safe distance away, the adult bird glided into the nest and fed the waiting offspring. This is not an unusual scene; researchers and various other observers often catch glimpses of the various species of the animal world in unusual and unexpected places. We laugh and are amazed at the way adult animals guard and protect their young in the face of potential predators. But think about it: if animals instinctively know how to protect their young, how much more does God know how to do so for those created in his image! Even when (or especially when) we are feeling helpless, he is the one who remembers us in our low estate (Psalm 136:23). C. M. W. 4b. his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Returning to military terms, shield is the perfect symbol for protection. Regarding rampart, the Hebrew word being translated appears only here in the Old Testament, which makes its meaning difficult to determine. Perhaps the idea is that of a wall or bulwark that protects a city. Notice that it is specifically God s faithfulness that is described in terms of these defensive armaments. God is true to his promises. His faithfulness to these is seen nowhere more clearly than when he sends his own Son to take on human flesh, die for the sins of humanity, and rise again in triumph over sin, Satan, and death. 5, 6. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

22 In addition to being strong and sure, God s protection is constant; this is the idea behind these images: of night, by day, darkness, and midday. The terror is a general image of something dreadful. At first thought, we may conclude that the arrow describes a threat from a human enemy, but the Bible sometimes uses that word figuratively to refer to flashes of lightning in storms (see Psalm 18:14; 77:17, 18; 144:6). Thus it may not be far off to suggest that the expression the arrow that flies refers to what we call the storms of life. The pestilence is the same just discussed in Psalm 91:3. The plague that destroys seems to be a parallel way of saying pestilence. What Do You Think? What are some steps you can take to transform fear to trust the next time you feel threatened? Digging Deeper Which of those steps apply to everyone, and which may apply only to you? Why? When we find ourselves in dangerous situations, fear is a God-given emotion that helps protect us. So fear in and of itself is not sinful. The point is that we need not fear enemies of any kind. God is greater than all enemies. 7. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. The deaths of a thousand and ten thousand who might perish at the side or right hand (that is, in close proximity) of God s protected ones can be the result of military actions, a plague of some sort, or a natural disaster. It doesn t matter. God is present for his people in all crises. Salvation of the faithful and punishment of the unfaithful are two sides of the same coin. When enemies are punished, God s people are protected from them (Psalm 37:37 40). 8. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. The Hebrew behind the word punishment is difficult to translate because this is the only place it occurs in the Old Testament. But the meaning is clear enough from context: the appropriate recompense for the wicked is punishment. Sooner or later, evildoers will indeed get what s coming to them. Unfortunately, God s people are sometimes distracted by the fact that those who do wicked works are often prosperous. That fact is noted in the Bible (examples: Job 21:7; Psalm 73:12; Jeremiah 12:1, 2). We can rest assured that God knows this and has plans to deal with it in his time (example: Habakkuk 1:1 2:20). The important thing is not to question God s justice in the meantime. Should we do so anyway, we may find our questions turned back on us, as in Job 38 42! Visual for Lesson 13. Start a discussion by pointing to this visual as you ask, Which of this quarter s lessons taught you the most about love? Why? A FATEFUL DAY October 28, 312 was a bad day for Emperor Maxentius. While games celebrating the anniversary of his accession to the throne were being held, the crowds could not fail to see the challenging army of Constantine bearing down upon Rome. Though Maxentius had twice survived a siege, he made the surprising choice to confront Constantine s forces.

23 The place where Maxentius made his stand was the Milvian Bridge outside Rome. Constantine, a skillful tactician, sent into battle his cavalry followed by his infantry. Maxentius s forces retreated toward the city, but the bridge collapsed. Maxentius drowned in the muddy waters of the Tiber River, by some accounts pulled under by the weight of his own armor. Maxentius s bad day became a victory march into Rome for Constantine. He ended up being uncontested as emperor, reigning until AD 337. Armies throughout history have used assorted weaponry to guard strongholds, plunder riches, and gain territory. But even the battle plans and equipment cannot guarantee success. Emperor Maxentius s protective armor may have hastened his death, ironically doing the opposite of its intended purpose. When news of accidents, catastrophes, and crime reach our ears, it is easy to drift into a state of perpetual uncertainty or unease. Worry becomes self-reinforcing, a vicious circle, unless we turn over our anxieties to God (see Psalm 2:1 6; Daniel 2:21). God s protection surpasses all human efforts at security in this world. Of course, that s easy to say when threats seem distant. Whether we actually can rest on that assurance is proven only in the crucible of danger. C. M. W. II. Trustworthy Protector (PSALM 91:11 13) A. With the Help of Angels (vv. 11, 12) 11. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Moving to the middle of the third stanza takes us to observations regarding the role of angels in our protection. These are created, heavenly beings who can take visible forms to do God s work. In addition to delivering messages (Luke 1:19; etc.), they are depicted as strong protectors and warriors (Daniel 6:22; etc.) In the verse before us is assurance that God s protection includes angelic resources. 12. they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. It is tempting to test God s promises of protection to verify them. Satan tempted Jesus that way by quoting Psalm 91:11, 12 to him in Matthew 4:6: If you are the Son of God, he said, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus responded with Deuteronomy 6:16: It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test (Matthew 4:7). Now if Jesus had jumped from the top of the temple, God s angels most certainly could have caught him. (He could have caught himself for that matter!) God s angels were apparently nearby throughout the whole ordeal, and they ministered to Jesus needs afterward (Matthew 4:11). Jesus was proving to Satan that God called the shots. Jesus chose to trust God rather than test him. God invites certain tests (Malachi 3:10) but not others. We must know the difference. What Do You Think? What will you teach others about the concept of guardian angels as a result of studying Psalm 91? Digging Deeper In what ways do 2 Kings 6:15 17; Psalm 34:7; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:11; and Hebrews 1:14 inform or cause you to change your conclusions? B. Against Nature s Predators (v. 13) 13. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

24 The previous two verses tell us that God will defend his people even to the extent of sending his heavenly agents to protect us. In the verse before us, God s protection moves from the defensive to the offensive: not only will God keep his people from harm, but he will empower us to defeat the fiercest of foes! No one doubts that the lion is king of the beasts. The cobra is an extremely poisonous snake (see Job 20:14, 16; Psalm 58:4; Isaiah 11:8). The great lion is one that is in its prime. The serpent is a large snake (compare Deuteronomy 32:33; Jeremiah 51:34). These creatures are used figuratively to represent any and all persons and powers that threaten God s people. III. Sure Promises (PSALM 91:14 16) A. Basis of Blessing (v. 14) 14. Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him for he acknowledges my name. Here begins the final stanza of the psalm (see the Lesson Context). This marks a transition of speakers from the psalmist to God himself. This verse elaborates on the result of trusting in the Lord, in parallel thoughts. The larger context is that of something being conditional. The condition for receiving the promised deliverance from evil is to have placed full devotion in the Lord. The expression he acknowledges my name denotes intimacy of knowing about someone. In other contexts, variations of this expression carry the ideas of trust, reverence, or covenant faithfulness (examples: Psalm 9:10; Isaiah 52:6; Jeremiah 16:21). God knows his true followers by their love for him and by their understanding of who he is. Those who actively trust, love, and serve him will find refuge in his protective salvation. To this we can compare Jesus strong words in Matthew 7:21, 22: Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father. What Do You Think? How will you express your love for the Lord in the month ahead? Digging Deeper How do Mark 12:30; John 14:15; and 1 John 5:3 inform your answer? B. Forms of Blessing (vv. 15, 16) 15, 16. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. These verses climax the psalm. They should be read together in order to appreciate the intensification of the Lord s promises. The two opening phrases establish the relationship that is the focus of Psalm 91:14: when God s people call on him, he is faithful to answer. God is not aloof or disinterested. He initiated the relationship with his people and established a means of communication. The lines of communication of prayer, worship, and reading God s Word remain open today. Several promises follow the opening phrases. These can be seen broadly as two categories: blessings for the present life and certainty of ultimate salvation. Notice that God does not promise that his faithful people will never experience trouble, but that He will be with them in the midst of it.

25 God has already secured our salvation in Christ, but he has not yet eradicated evil and suffering from his creation. That is why we can trust him in the midst of suffering. He is with us, he will deliver us, and he will honor us. Conclusion A. God Is Our Protection and Salvation In this fallen world, God s people are surrounded by evil, danger, and suffering. Psalm 91 is an emphatic reminder that God is trustworthy and mighty to save. Christians should expect to share in Christ s suffering, even unto death (Matthew 16:24, 25; 1 Peter 2:19 21). But we should also expect God s protective blessings. Rather than contradictory realities of the Christian life, the existence of persistent sin in the world alongside the victory of Christ is a dynamic tension. Elisabeth Elliot understood this tension and fiercely trusted in God as her refuge. She knew firsthand that God s protection did not preclude suffering and death in this life. Her book mentioned in the Introduction is a biography of her late first husband, Jim Elliot, who was killed by the very people with whom he tried to share the gospel. After his death, Elisabeth Elliot returned to her husband s murderers. She was frightened, but she was faithful. She knew of the dangers, but she also knew of God s trustworthy protection and salvation. For twenty-first century Christians, it is all too easy to seek protection in something other than God himself. It is tempting to trust in financial security, military defenses, reputation, or even in church membership. Service to the church is an important responsibility of all Christians; but as we give of our time, talent, and treasure, we take care that our trust is in God himself and not in what we think our works earn. B. Prayer Almighty God, you are our true protection and salvation. Please strengthen our trust and protect us against the evil and danger that surrounds us. Equip us to be agents of your protection and bold proclaimers of your salvation to the ends of the earth. For all that you have done for us and for all you promise to do, we give you thanks and praise. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. C. Thought to Remember God is greater than all circumstances. 1 1 Faust, D., Backfish, E. H. P., Wood, C. M., & Schmidt, D. C. (2018). Our Rescuing God. In R. L. Nickelson (Ed.), The NIV Standard Lesson Commentary, (Vol. 25, pp ). Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing.