1. The Seven Churches of Asia Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11
NT Church

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
Ephesus – Left their first love Smyrna – Persecuted (poor-rich) Thyatira – Compromise (tolerating) Pergamos – Corrupt (immorality) Sardis – Dead (or dying) Philadelphia – An open door Laodicea – lukewarm (rich-poor)
Smyrna

4. Another prominent city in Asia, competing for title of “First of Asia”
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. Jesus describing His preeminence – 1:8, 17 Isaiah 44:6
The Letter to Smyrna – 2:8-11
Christ identified
The first and the last 2:8
Jesus describing His preeminence – 1:8, 17 Isaiah 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 1:18 1 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 possessions cf. 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 reputation 1 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 facing Acts14:2, 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 10:32-33 Philippians 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 9:62 1 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, 12:11 Psalm 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!
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 6:23 1st resurrection – obeying the gospel Romans 6:3-4, Revelation 20:6 2nd resurrection – from the dead – John 5:28 2nd 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 society 2) a generation taught to reject God 3) a “church culture” that compromises 4) 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?