"THE BOOK OF REVELATION"

Letter To Smyrna (2:8-11)

INTRODUCTION
  1. Previously, we considered the letter to Ephesus, in which Jesus...
    1. Commended steadfast opposition to false apostles and false religion - Re 2:2-3,6
    2. Condemned losing their first love, with a call to repent and return to their first works - Re 2:4-5
    3. Promised to those who overcome, access to the tree of life in the Paradise of God - Re 2:7
  2. The second letter was written to the church in Smyrna. Some background information...
    1. The city of Smyrna
      1. One of most prosperous cities in Asia Minor - New Bible Dictionary ("Smyrna")
      2. It had the largest Jewish population of any city in Asia Minor - Revelation: Four Views
      3. It was a faithful ally of Rome long before Roman power became supreme - NBD, ibid.
      4. It became the headquarters for the imperial cult of emperor worship in that area - Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
      -- It is the only city of the seven churches that is still in existence today
    2. The church at Smyrna
      1. Probably began through Paul's work while at Ephesus - cf. Ac 19:8-10
      2. They had already experienced tribulation and poverty - cf. Re 2:9
      3. From the 2nd century, there are letters to and from the church in Smyrna (Ignatius to the church, Polycarp to the Philippians, and an account of Polycarp's martyrdom)
      -- One of two churches to whom Jesus spoke no word of condemnation (the other is Philadelphia)

[Little is known about the church of Smyrna in the Bible, and the letter Jesus had John write to the church is the shortest of the seven (only four verses), but it provides the setting for why and what is to follow in the Book of Revelation. As before, we begin with..]

  1. THE LORD'S SELF-DESIGNATION (8)
    1. "THESE THINGS SAYS THE FIRST AND THE LAST"...
      1. A designation spoken twice by the Son of Man in the vision of chapter one - Re 1:11,17
      2. Used together with "the Alpha and the Omega" - Re 1:11; 22:13
      -- Jesus used designations that clearly declare His deity with JEHOVAH - cf. Isa 41:4
    2. "WHO WAS DEAD, AND CAME TO LIFE"...
      1. As mentioned in the vision of the Son of Man - Re 1:18
      2. A reference to His own resurrection from the dead
      -- Perhaps spoken in light of the promise later to follow - cf. Re 2:10

    [As deity, Jesus is "the First and the Last"; in becoming flesh, He "was dead and came to life". To a church that had suffered tribulation and would experience more, we now read..."]

  2. THE LORD'S COMMENDATION (9a)
    1. FOR THEIR WORKS, TRIBULATION, AND POVERTY...
      1. Their faith was not dead, but had produced works - cf. Jm 2:17, 20,24,26
      2. They had experienced tribulation, like John their companion in tribulation - cf. Re 1:9
      3. Leading to poverty, often the result of persecution - e.g., He 10:32-34
      -- An indication of their circumstances: they had suffered some persecution
    2. BUT THEY ARE RICH...
      1. Rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom! - cf. Jm 2:5
      2. Having a better and more enduring possession in heaven - cf. He 10:34
      -- Though rich in faith, they had experienced tribulation and would experience more

    [Where was this persecution and tribulation coming from? We learn of one source as we read...]

  3. THE LORD'S EXHORTATION AND PROMISE (9b-11)
    1. "I KNOW THE BLASPHEMY OF THOSE WHO SAY THEY ARE JEWS AND ARE NOT, BUT ARE A SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN"...
      1. A reference to unbelieving Jews (unlike many Jews who did and do believe in Jesus)
        1. Who by their lack of faith in Jesus revealed themselves followers of Satan - cf. Jn 8:37-44
        2. For the true and faithful Jew is one who is circumcised in heart - cf. Ro 2:28-29; Deu 10:16
      2. A major source of persecution against the church leading up to 70 A.D.
        1. By unbelieving Jews in Judea - cf. Mt 23:34-36; 1Th 2:14-16
        2. By unbelieving Jews in Asia (Turkey) & Greece - cf. Ac 13:50; 14:2,5,19; 17:5-7,13; 18:12-13
        -- Remember that Smyrna had the largest Jewish population of any city in Asia Minor
    2. "DO NOT FEAR ANY OF THOSE THINGS WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO SUFFER"...
      1. "The devil is about throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested"
        1. The malevolent spiritual force behind their persecution - cf. 1Pe 5:8-9
        2. The Devil (slanderer) and Satan (adversary) who deceives the whole world - cf. Re 12:9
        3. Who manipulated unfaithful Jerusalem & pagan Rome in an effort to destroy the church
      2. "You will have tribulation ten days"
        1. In Revelation, numbers are often figurative or symbolic
        2. For example: "10 days" is a relatively short period of time in contrast to "1000 years"
        -- Thus their tribulation suffering will only be for a short time, to test their faith
    3. "BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE YOU A CROWN OF LIFE"...
      1. They were to be faithful until death
        1. For every Christian, one must be faithful till they die - cf. Mt 10:22
        2. Even if death if the result of their faith (i.e., martyrdom) - cf. Re 12:11
      2. The crown of life is promised to those who love Him - Jm 1:12
        1. Called an imperishable crown - 1Co 9:25
        2. Called the crown of righteousness - 2Ti 4:8
        3. Called the crown of glory - 1Pe 5:4
        -- A wonderful promise for remaining faithful and paying the ultimate price if necessary
    4. "HE WHO OVERCOMES SHALL NOT BE HURT BY THE SECOND DEATH"...
      1. The overcomer is one who remains faithful, loving, obedient, even if it means dying for Christ
      2. The "second death" is explained at the end of Revelation - Re 20:14; 21:8
        1. The first death is natural, physical death
        2. The second death is eternal punishment, depicted as a lake of fire
        -- Again He says, "He who has an ear, let him hear...!" Brethren, are we listening?
CONCLUSION
  1. From the letter to the church at Smyrna, we learn that Christians...
    1. Were experiencing opposition from unbelieving Jews, as did the apostle Paul
    2. Though rich in faith, they had suffered tribulation and poverty, with more suffering to come
    -- Doesn't this contradict the so-called "gospel of health and wealth"?
  2. We also learn of the two alternatives facing us in the future...
    1. The crown of life for those who are faithful unto death even if it leads to martyrdom
    2. The second death for those who do not overcome the Satanic forces against them
    -- Which will you receive: the crown of life, or the second death?

Through His letters to the seven churches in Asia, we learn the circumstances that prompted Jesus to have John write the book of Revelation. We also learn the sort of faith necessary for us to overcome and inherit the promises found in the Word of God!

Next we shall consider the letter to the church in Pergamos...