Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia Revelation

Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia Revelation 2 – 3

Review ◈ ◈ ◈ Foundation – The Biblical Church Letters to the Churches Review of Ephesus ◆ A church who are diligently seeking God and are immersed in His Word ◇ Are we active participants ◆ We must continue to spread His Word ◆ We must serve with love ◇ Matthew 23: 23

The Letter to Smyrna Revelation 2: 8 – 11 3

Bonus Question: Consider the description of Jesus in Rev 2: 8. Do you see any connection with this description and the church at Smyrna? ◈ ◈ ◈ The First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life The church at Smyrna is about to go through persecution (verse 10) This description of Jesus reminds them of the persecution that Jesus went through and how he was victorious over death giving them hope for the persecution they are about to go through 4

Describe the state of the church in the first half of verse 9 (works, tribulation, and poverty). What is meant by “(but you are rich)”? ◈ On the surface, someone may say they had little to offer (tribulation and poverty) ◈ Their works are called out despite their tribulation and poverty ◆ Don’t judge a church by the general social status of the members ◈ Reminds me of the churches of Macedonia in II Corinthians 8: 1 -5 ◆ In great trial of affliction…deep poverty ◆ Gave beyond their ability ◆ First gave themselves to the Lord, then to us ◈ Macedonian example says they were rich in their liberality (vs. 2) ◈ James 2: 5 says God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith ◆ James 2 talks about the importance of works they demonstrate our faith ◆ To be rich in faith in the context of James 2 implies rich in demonstrating faith ◈ Matthew 6: 19 -21 – lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven 5

What does the last half of verse 9 mean? ◈ I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan ◈ There were Jews that followed Paul causing harm to him and the churches ◆ Acts 13: 45, 50; 14: 2, 5, 19; 17: 5, and more ◈ The Jews were God’s chosen people in the past ◆ They should have been ready to accept Jesus ◆ These were filled with envy – Acts 13: 45 ◆ These did not have the attitude that should be associated with God’s chosen people (remember Jesus’ condemnations of the Pharisees in Matt 12: 34 – brood of vipers, and other condemnations) ◈ Instead, now they were carrying out the will of Satan ◆ They were persecuting God’s church 6

What is about to happen to the church from verse 10? Is this out of the ordinary for Christians? Explain why you say this. ◈ They were about to go through even more persecutions ◆ Throw you into prison that you may be tested, tribulation ◈ Not out of the ordinary ◆ James 1: 2 – count it all joy when you fall into various trials ◆ I Peter 4: 12 – the fiery trial which is to try you ◆ I Peter 5: 10 – after you have suffered for awhile ◆ John 16: 33 – in the world you will have tribulation ◆ Romans 5: 3 – we also glory in tribulation ◆ Many more 7

What is about to happen to the church from verse 10? Is this out of the ordinary for Christians? Explain why you say this. ◈ There are benefits from tribulation ◆ James 1: 2 – testing of your faith produces patience ◆ I Peter 4: 13 – rejoice that you partake of Christ’s sufferings ◆ I Peter 1: 6 -7 – trials show genuineness of your faith ◆ John 16: 33 – be of good cheer, I have overcome the world ◆ Romans 5: 3 – tribulation produces perseverance ◈ Interesting that Jesus uses the identifier “who was dead, and came back to life” ◆ Jesus went through persecution, so He knows their suffering 8

What is meant by “ten days” in verse 10? ◈ Period that they would be persecuted ◆ Various thoughts from periods of persecution, a persecution of 10 years, a literal persecution of 10 days ◈ I see it as a symbolic representation of a length (unspecified) of time ◆ A take-away is that even though they will be persecuted, there is an end to the persecution ◆ The length is small compared to the life with which they would be crowned 9

What must they do to be rewarded? What does that mean? With what will they be rewarded? ◈ Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life ◈ He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death ◈ Reward is eternal life with Jesus ◈ Be faithful until death ◆ Don’t waiver in your service even under persecution ◇ Matthew 10: 28 – don’t fear those who can kill the body, fear Him who can destroy the soul ◈ Live for Jesus, not just die for Him 10

How do we practically apply the Smyrna letter to make sure the church at Northside is pleasing to God? ◈ We may think the church doesn’t have the means to do great things for God ◆ The church’s level of service to God is not dictated by the means of the members ◆ Being rich in faith is demonstrated by our works ◈ We may think as an individual we don’t have that much to offer, but everyone can excel in their service to God ◆ Devote yourself to God and look for ways to contribute to His work 11

How do we practically apply the Smyrna letter to make sure the church at Northside is pleasing to God? ◈ We will likely not be put to death because of our faith in Jesus ◈ We must faithfully serve God until we do die ◆ Live for Jesus, not just die for him – Romans 12: 1 ◆ Most would say “I will die for Jesus” although they will likely never be tested ◆ However, when asked to wear a mask, they refuse ◆ Our American rights are not a part of Christianity ◇ Acts 17: 31 applies to all people everywhere, not just those with freedoms and rights ◇ Look at Paul’s feelings towards rights I Cor 8: 13, 9: 19 -23, 10: 31 -33 12

How do we practically apply the Smyrna letter to make sure the church at Northside is pleasing to God? ◈ Consider our example and influence the world sees and therefore associates with Christianity ◈ Air Force example: ◆ USAFA graduate capitol rioter ◆ Lt Gen Clark: Actions of USAFA grads, faculty, etc. will reflect on the institution for the rest of your lives. Because of your USAFA association, the nation will hold you to a higher standard. ◈ Consider what non-Christians think about the capitol rioters proclaiming Christ (visibly and verbally) as they raided the capitol ◆ Consider those claiming Christ who condemned the civil rights protests, yet participated in the capitol raid 13

How do we practically apply the Smyrna letter to make sure the church at Northside is pleasing to God? ◈ Matthew 22: 34 -40 – Love the Lord…Love your neighbor ◈ Matthew 5: 44 – Love your enemies…pray for those who spitefully use you ◈ Romans 13: 1 -7 – be subject to the governing authorities ◈ Matthew 5: 14 -16 – you are the light of the world ◈ James 1: 27 – visit orphans and widows, and keep oneself unspotted from the world ◆ Concept applies to more than orphans and widows care for and help those in need ◈ Philippians 2: 1 -4 – esteem others better than himself ◈ Galatians 5: 13 -15 – serve one another through love ◈ Many, many more ◈ All describe a way of life and attitude towards others 14

How do we practically apply the Smyrna letter to make sure the church at Northside is pleasing to God? ◈ Ephesians 4: 20 -24 – put on the new man ◈ Romans 6: 1 -3 – do not continue in sin ◈ Galatians 5: 16 -26 – walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh ◈ Matthew 28: 18 -20 – make disciples of all nations ◈ II Timothy 2: 15 – be diligent…rightly dividing the word of truth ◈ Jude 1: 3 – contend earnestly for the faith 15