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Message to the Seven Churches. Today The Message to Smyrna “The Persecuted Church”. Revelations 2: 8-11. Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
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Message to the Seven Churches Today The Message to Smyrna “The Persecuted Church”
Revelations 2: 8-11 • Rev 2:8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; • Rev 2:9I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.
Revelations 2: 8-11 • Rev 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. • Rev 2:11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Introduction • The church is sometimes called upon to suffer terrible persecution. This has always been true down through History and it was certainly true in Smyrna. • This Church was under severe attack from community leaders and city officials. • Smyrna was told in VS 10 that more horrible persecutions were coming and that the church was to stand firm for truth against all attacks. • Smyrna is the picture of what a dynamic church should be. One that makes a mark on society and leaves no doubt about the communities condition.
1- The Recipient • The Church Leader in VS. 8 • To the angel of the Church of Smyrna • The Word in the Greek is “Angelos” • “Angelos” Means both Angel and minister in the new testament. • The message is being given to the one Christ holds responsible for the church he has been given oversight for.
The Church Leader • Is responsible to stand forth for Christ & teach his people to stand for Christ • He is not to buckle under & deny Christ: He is to lead his people strongly no matter how sever the persecution may be.
2- The Speaker • Jesus Himself is the speaker to the Church • His message is wrapped up in two exhortations • He is the first and the last (Supreme ruler over all government officials) • Heb 9:27 says all men will face death and after that they will be judged by Christ
This Means • all persecutors, all those who afflict, all those who cause trouble for others better take heed. • They shall be judged if they usurp authority and take power over human life into their own hands. • There is one authority over all life
Commendation to the Church • Four Commendations • The Church Bore up under terrible sufferings, tribulations, Slander, • The Church continued in spite of poverty 2 Cor 6:10, Matt 8:20 2 Cor 8:10 • The Church Bore up under all kind of slander, ridicule, mocking, lies, rumors, accusations, backbiting, criticism, murmuring, discrimination, and divisions. • The Church was Spiritually wealthy. Had God’s approval
Smyrna leaves a strong message to every church. • We are either an assembly of God’s people or a synagogue of Satan and rejected of God. • It all depends on whether we worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ
Let’s take a look at some scripture: • Mat 10:32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. • Mat 10:33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. • Mat 10:34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Let’s take a look at some scripture: • Mar 8:38Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. • 2Ti 2:12If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:
Let’s take a look at some scripture: • 2Pe 2:1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. • 2Pe 2:2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. • 2Pe 2:3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Historical Facts • Smyrna means Bitter. • It received it’s name from myrrh, one the chief commercial products • Smyrna was a proud city- proud of it’s culture, it’s beauty, it’s commercial wealth, it’s social life. • Smyrna was persecuting the Church severely. Large numbers of Jews who were influential in city politics were steeped in the Old Testament beliefs and prophecies. • The reaction to Messianic Jewish converts was severe, (Christians lost jobs, unable to trade, mocked and scorned.)
The Message to Smyrna • God did not chide the Church at Smyrna knowing that the sufferings would draw them closer to Him and ultimately would set a proper Christian witness before the people of Smyrna and the surrounding communities.
God’s promise to Smyrna • He is always with them • He knows about their suffering • He limits the time of sufferings. • He rewards the overcomer with eternal rewards. • Crown of Life (Eternal Life) • Delivered from the “Second Death” • Given a “white stone of approval” • Given a “new name”
Acts 5:40-42 • Act 5:40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten [them], they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. • Act 5:41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. • Act 5:42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
