The Church at Smyrna in Revelation | church of Christ

The Church at Smyrna in Revelation | church of Christ

Lessons From the Book of Revelation
Speaker	Sermon Title   (Right Click to Download)	Media
Bobby Stafford	Smyrna (The suffering church) Revelation 2:8-11  Lesson 5

The Letter to the Church at Smyrna

Lesson 5

Text:  Revelation 2:8-11 

Body: 

Verse 8

• The city of Smyrna was a major city of commerce about thirty-five miles north of Ephesus.  It was a center for Caesar (emperor) worship.
• Christ is described as “the first and the last.”  See:  Revelation 1:11  Christ is eternal, the emperor isn’t!
• For descriptions of Christ’s eternal nature, see Micah 5:2 and  John 1:1-2.
• Jesus was “dead, but is now alive.”  Death could not keep a hold on Him.  Acts 2:23-24

Verse 9

• Jesus had complete knowledge of all that went on in Smyrna.  He could read the hearts and minds of all.
• The Christians had suffered greatly.  They had been “crushed” by those who hated them because they had not bowed down to the emperor.  I Peter 4:12-16
• They were in poverty, destitute, due to their faithfulness to Christ.  Hebrews 10:34
• They had something better.  James 2:5
• Some Jews had bowed down to the emperor.  “synagogue of Satan”

Verse 10

• The Christian life is not an easy one.  Face trials with courage.  Matthew 10:28, Luke 6:26
• The real source of all the trials was Satan.  He would bring more persecution upon them.
• “Ten days” This was a symbol for the time of persecution.  While they would undergo great persecution, it would be short compared to eternity.  II Corinthians 4:17
• “Be faithful” even to the point of death!  This shows the sacrifice that may be required.  Matthew 10:21-22
• The reward is “the crown of life.”  It is one that will never wear out.  I Corinthians 9:24-25, I Peter 5:4  Those who endure persecutions and truly love the Lord will be rewarded.  II Timothy 4:8, James 1:12

Verse 11

• The promise is to those who overcome.  This is a key phrase in the book of Revelation.  Those who overcome are those who win out over tribulations.  They are not defeated by them.
• “Second death” is the final separation from God at the Day of Judgment.  Revelation 21:8, II Thessalonians 1:9
• Those who overcome will have eternal life in Heaven.

Bobby Stafford