450 likes | 1.19k Views
Seven Churches of Asia. Revelation Chapters 2 and 3. 1 Ephesus 2 Smyrna 3 Pergamos 4 Thyatira 5 Sardis 6 Philadelphia 7 Laodicea. The Church at Smyrna Starts at Ephesus. Smyrna. Ephesus. Smyrna. Revelation 2:8-11. Historical Background. Name of city - Semitic word“myrrh”
E N D
Seven Churches of Asia Revelation Chapters 2 and 3
1 Ephesus 2 Smyrna 3 Pergamos 4 Thyatira 5 Sardis 6 Philadelphia 7 Laodicea
The Church at Smyrna Starts at Ephesus Smyrna Ephesus
Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11
Historical Background Name of city - Semitic word“myrrh” Built in 1312 B.C. Highly developed city Main street paved with gold “The flower of Asia”
Agora in Smyrna www.HolyLandPhotos.org
Underground Agora www.HolyLandPhotos.org
Agora Spring & Cryptoporticus www.HolyLandPhotos.org
Religious Development Idol Worship Zeus Dionysius - wine god Homer - poet Meles – river god Emperor Worship
Religious Development Beginning of Church No record of it’s establishment May have started when Paul was in Ephesus
Introducing Sender Letter to Smyrna “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;” Rev. 2:8
Letter to Smyrna Angel – read it to the church First and last - eternal Dead and Alive Sender
Praise Letter to Smyrna “I 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.” Rev. 2:9
Letter to Smyrna I Know Tribulation – Persecution Poverty – Christians were poor But they were rich
Letter to Smyrna The Rich – Poor Church Poor in Money $ Rich in faith – Jas. 2:5 Poor before Men Rich before God
Letter to Smyrna Blasphemy Spoke against Christians Synagogue of Satan Those who act like the Devil are his servants !
Prophecy Letter to Smyrna “Fear 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. 2:10
Letter to Smyrna Fear Not – more trials to come Devil cast into prison ten days Be Faithful unto Death - martyr Crown of Life Polycarp
Praise Letter to Smyrna “He 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.” Rev. 2:11
Letter to Smyrna He that hath an ear Hear what the Spirit saith Overcome – -- Not hurt by 2nd death
Letter to Smyrna The Unbeliever dies and finds another death awaiting him. The Believer dies and finds another life awaiting him!
Lessons • I Know – Christ knows… • We will have tribulations • Must be faithful to receive crown of life • Fear the second death
Letter to Smyrna Christ tasted death for every man, so we would not have to taste the second death.
1 Ephesus 2 Smyrna 3 Pergamos 4 Thyatira 5 Sardis 6 Philadelphia 7 Laodicea