1. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 1 Christ’s Address to the Church in Smyrna By Eric Douma

2. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 2 Church at Ephesus:  Commendable: Stance against the “Nicolaitans”  Rebuke: Loveless – orthodoxy  Correction: Remember, repent, do “the first deeds”  The promise: “…To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” Tree of Artemis = Protection for criminals to do evil Tree of life = Protection for the saints to do righteousness

3. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 3  Smyrna = “Bitter”  Greek term is used in the LXX to translate the Hebrew term for “myrrh”  Myrrh was a gum used for embalming!  Domitian demanded sacrifice on Caesar’s altar (issued a certificate)  The Jewish population “informed” on the Christians  Polycarp was martyred here

4. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 4 Revelation 2:8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.

5. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 5 A. King and His Redeemer: The only God (verse 6) B. The incomparable God: Master of history (verse 7) A. Comforter, revealer, rock: The only God (verse 8) Isaiah 44:8 Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.

6. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 6 Revelation 2:9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

7. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 7 Revelation 2:10-11 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. τὸν στέφανον τῆς ζωῆς. “the crown that is life itself”

8. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 8 John 17:15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. Tereo = guard, protect, keep Ek = from Ek with verbs of motion Ek with verbs of protection

9. Revelation 2:8-11: Christ’s Message To Smyrna 9 1 John 5:18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son… Christ’s Camp Satan’s Camp