1. Lesson 4

2.  History/Setting  Modern city of Izmir, Turkey  Excellent harbor, extensive trade  Temple for cult emperor worship of Tiberius  Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, martyred in AD 156  Conflict between Jews and Christians

3.  Revelation 2  The first and last  One who was dead and has come to life  Alive forevermore  I have the keys to death and Hades (1:17-18)  Rev. 1:5 Firstborn of the dead  Col. 1:15-18 Firstborn of all creation and He holds creation together  I Cor. 15 First fruits of those who are asleep which is the guarantee of more to come and the hope of resurrection for all who believe

4.  Acts 2 It was God’s plan for Jesus to be killed and to be raised up again  Hades: adou – the unseen world, realm in which all the dead reside, the present dwelling place of all the deceased/departed, grave, hell  Zod. The departed spirits of the lost  Hades, like death, will be thrown into the Lake of Fire Rev. 20:14  Luke 16 Rich man was in agony, in flames

5.  I know your:  Tribulation: thlipsis – pressing together  Poverty: ptocheian – beggary, destitution, extreme and abject poverty  Blasphemy/slander by the synagogue of Satan  The Jews/unbelievers were under Satan’s control, hence, the synagogue of Satan  John – fellow partaker in tribulation, kingdom and perseverance (Rev. 1:9)

6.  John 15 & 2 Tim. 3 If the world hated Jesus, it will hate those who live for His glory  I Pet. 2 Christ left us an example to follow  I Pet. 1 It is the proof of your faith  I Pet. 4 Do not be surprised that you share in the sufferings of Christ. You are blessed  Heb. 2:10; 5:8 Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered  Heb. 10:36 Believers enduring persecution are doing God’s will

7.  2 Tim. 1 Given a spirit of power, love and a sound mind, so you may endure  2 Cor. 1 The comfort in Christ is as abundant as the suffering  Luke 12 Holy Spirit is with us. Rejoicing and thanksgiving are the attitudes which should accompany persecution, trials and suffering  Rom. 8:29 Christians are being conformed into the image of Christ BY the suffering they endure

8.  None  You are rich, spiritually Matt. 6 2 Cor. 8:9

9.  Don’t fear what you’re about to suffer  Be faithful to death  Ps. 56 When I am afraid I will trust in God  The situation for the church at Smyrna wasn’t going to get any better, but worse  I Thess. 3 Christians are destined for afflictions, some come by the tempter  The devil was NOT gaining victory over them  You will have tribulation for 10 days  Some of you will be cast into prison

10.  He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death  You may die in prison, but I will give you the crown of life  How could He give them the crown of life?  He is the One who has come to life, therefore He could give them the crown of life.  I AM the way, the truth and the LIFE

11.  I want to be like the church in Smyrna; no reproof  I am rich spiritually which is better than being rich materially  Suffering doesn’t mean God is displeased with me, it actually means the opposite  Expect suffering, it is natural for the Christian  I will NOT be hurt by the second death  Jesus has a crown of life for me  Jesus holds everything together. He knows