“Jesus’ Assessment of the Church at Smyrna” 2/24/08
Revelation 2:8-11
BACKGROUND of PATMOS-
SMYRNA is from Myrrh, which was used as burial spice in embalming
(John 19:39)
Economic – City of great wealth
& trade. Claimed to be the ‘glory of Asia’.
Political
– Free city
and assize town where Roman governors dispensed justice.
Religious – First and greatest in
Caesar worship. “Caesar is Lord.”
A.
The
letter to the church contains the CORRESPONDENT’S TITLE
(Rev 1:17-18; John 10:28-29; Phil 1:21-23; Isaiah
44:6; Hebrews 2:14)
“And
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone
snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater
than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.” John 10:28-29
WHAT ARE YOUR FEARS? Health?
Financial? Lost Son or Daughter?
B.
The
letter to the church contains Jesus’ COMMENDATION
He knows their works:
1)
TRIBULATION- this words means
pressure and can refer to anything
2)
POVERTY- this word means destitute. Versus Penia which means
a person has to work for a living.
(They are RICH)
“For
you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of
your property, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves
in heaven.” Hebrews 10:34
3)
BLASPHEMY- John 5:23; Romans 2:28-29; John 8:44
C.
The
letter to the church does not contain any CRITICISM not PERFECT
(see also Revelation 3:7-13 where there is none to
Philadelphia)
D.
The
letter to the church contains Jesus’ COUNSEL
(Rev 2:10; Matt 10:28-33;
7:13-14; James 1:1-12)
1) Do Not Fear; 2) Be
Faithful unto Death POLYCARP
3) Crown of life (2 Tim 4:8;
1 Pet 5:4; 1 Cor 9:25; 1 Thess 2:19)
“Caesar is Lord” is all they had to say.
E.
The
letter to the church contains Jesus’ CLOSURE
(‘Second Death’;
Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8)
“Who
is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of
God?” 1 John 5:5
Deeper uncompromising life for Him?
“They profess to know God,
but in works they deny Him.” Titus 1:16