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The Seven Churches of Asia Smyrna

The Seven Churches of Asia Smyrna. Revelation 2:8-11. NT Church 2017-18. Letters to the churches. 7 letters to 7 congregations – symbolic of the church as a whole. Common conditions found in every church Thus we can ask, “How does this apply to us?. Smyrna. Letters to the churches.

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The Seven Churches of Asia Smyrna

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  1. The Seven Churches of AsiaSmyrna • Revelation 2:8-11 NT Church 2017-18

  2. Letters to the churches • 7 letters to 7 congregations – symbolic of the church as a whole. Common conditions found in every church • Thus we can ask, “How does this apply to us? Smyrna

  3. Letters to the churches • The 7 Churches • Ephesus – Left their first loveSmyrna – Persecuted (poor-rich)Thyatira – Compromise (tolerating)Pergamos – Corrupt (immorality)Sardis – Dead (or dying)Philadelphia – An open doorLaodicea – lukewarm (rich-poor) Smyrna

  4. The city of Smyrna • Another prominent city in Asia, competing for title of “First of Asia” • Another harbor city & engaged in commerce. Wealthy city known for its beauty and culture. Prominent in trading wines Smyrna

  5. The city of Smyrna • Idolatry – “the Golden Street” with temples to Zeus and Cybele at its ends. Also temple to goddess Roma. • Chosen to build a temple to Tiberius (AD 26), and a center of cultic, emperor worship. This caused Christians trouble as they would not burn “a pinch of salt” to Caesar. Smyrna

  6. The city of Smyrna • A prominent Jewish community and synagogue. They were instrumental in the persecution of Christians. • Polycarp, “Bishop of Smyrna” was burned at the stake (AD 169). At his execution, he remained firm in his faith. Smyrna

  7. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Christ identified The first and the last 2:8 Jesus describing His preeminence – 1:8, 17Isaiah 44:6 Smyrna Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

  8. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Christ identified Who was dead and came to life 2:8 Jesus was resurrected Revelation 1:181 Corinthians 15:1-3 Smyrna had a second beginning Smyrna Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

  9. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Their strengths • “I know your works” • Your tribulation – pressure or pressing together. 2 Timothy 3:12 • How do we handle troubling times? Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 8:31-38 • Tribulations will either defeat us or make us stronger Smyrna

  10. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Their strengths • Poverty – severe poverty • They had very little in worldly possessionscf. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 • It is probable, their poverty was related to their faithfulness. Smyrna

  11. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Their strengths • But you are rich – wealthy, well-off • They were wealthy before God where it counts. Ephesians 1:3, Matthew 6:19-21, James 2:5, 1 Timothy 6:18 • Also Luke 18:29-30 • Thus, the “poor-rich” church Smyrna

  12. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Their strengths • I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, • Slander, speaking ill against one to harm them or their reputation1 Timothy 6:4, Ephesians 4:31 Colossians 3:8, Matthew 15:19 Smyrna

  13. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Their strengths • Blasphemy of Jews, a synagogue of Satan • Jews, were at least complicit in the persecutions Christians were facingActs14:2, 13:45, 17:5ff, etc. • Consider John 8:44 • Spiritual Israel – Romans 2:28-29, Philippians 3:3 Smyrna

  14. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Call to action • Do not fear • They had been suffering and would see more ahead • The devil was about to throw some into prison • They would be tested for 10 days – a complete or full period Smyrna

  15. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Call to action • Do not fear - We must not let fear keep us from doing what is right • Luke 12:4-5, Matthew 10:32-33Philippians 1:27-28 • Revelation 21:8 – the cowardly will have their part in the lake of fire Smyrna

  16. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Call to action • Be faithful until death – • Faithful – steadfast allegiance, trustworthy, dependable • We can become unfaithful Luke 9:621 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 3:6 Smyrna

  17. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Call to action • Be faithful until death – • Until (unto) death – could mean until you die, or to the point of dying. BOTH apply! • Revelation 14:13, 12:11Psalm 116:15, Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints Smyrna

  18. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Call to action • “He who has an ear, let him hear” Smyrna

  19. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Promised reward • You will receive the crown of life • The victor’s crown – awarded when one wins a competition. • 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 – we must finish the race! http://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/athens/ Smyrna

  20. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Promised reward • He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death • 1st death – sin – Romans 6:231st resurrection – obeying the gospel Romans6:3-4, Revelation 20:62nd resurrection – from the dead – John 5:282nd death – Matthew 25:46, 41, Revelation 20:6, 14, 21:8 Smyrna

  21. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Does this apply to us? • Are we faithful both in attitude and action? • Are we suffering, or willing to suffer and sacrifice for Him? • Have we been tested and passed? • Are we willing to face material poverty for Him? • Will we stand firm, even if rejected by other professed followers? Smyrna

  22. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Does this apply to us? • In America today, we still have freedom to assemble and teach. BUT that freedom is being manipulated and challenged. Smyrna

  23. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Does this apply to us? • We are now evil spoken of – Matthew 10:24-25, 5:10-12, 1 Peter 4:12-14 • This is because:1) a complicit society2) a generation taught to reject God3) a “church culture” that compromises4) brethren seeking to be “like the nations around us” Smyrna

  24. The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11 • Does this apply to us? • There may SOON come a time when we have to choose between God and man. Who will we choose? Smyrna

  25. Is the spirit of the church at Smyrna in us?

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