‘Blessed
Are the Poor,’ Take 2
A Three-minute
Bible Study
Print,
Study and Apply
Title:
‘Blessed Are the Poor,’ Take
2
Keywords:
"faithfulness"
"poverty" "tribulation”
Welcome
to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand
strong in the face of sexual temptation.
In each
of these studies (June 1-7), we will be looking at one
of the seven letters to the seven churches of
Revelation. These are actually letters written by
Jesus to churches that existed in the first century.
The letters have great application, though, for
Christians today. They point out what Jesus commends
in a Christian and what He wants to see changed in a
Christian. There is even helpful application for
people who are struggling with chronic temptation to
destructive habits like porn. Read on — and God
bless you!
Passage:
Revelation 2:8-11*
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:
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, that you may be tested,
and you will have tribulation 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 shall not be hurt by the second
death.’"
Questions
1.
According to the verses above, what is true about the
Christians in the city of Smyrna?
2. Who was
opposing these Christians?
3. What sorts of
suffering were they to anticipate?
4. What reward
does Jesus promise to them if they
overcome?
Practical
help
In Matthew 5, Jesus said,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Here, in
Revelation, speaking to Christians in Smyrna, He
affirms that they are in poverty and tribulation.
Matthew 5’s truth still
holds true. It is people who are “poor” or
“poor in spirit” who are really blessed.
People who are “poor in spirit” are those
who recognize their utter helplessness and need for
God. They are the ones who say, “If God
doesn’t come through for me, I’m sunk.”
The poverty and tribulation of
the Smyrnan Christians wasn’t a black mark
against them in their life with Christ. It served to
heighten their awareness of how much they needed
Him!
All those who struggle —
and have struggled and have failed to stop an
involvement with porn! — listen to the Good News.
You know that you are spiritually bankrupt. You know
that you have nothing to bring to God except your
need. You know that if He doesn’t come through
for you, you are sunk.
Cast yourself on Him in utter
dependence, and experience the blessing that comes to
the “poor in spirit.”
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Copyright
2000, 2004 by eXXit
*Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation
1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
1995. Used by permission.
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