7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION - "Smyrna" - [Rev. 2:8-11] - Pastor Nathan Deisem - Fathom Church (2/7)

7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION – Smyrna - Revelation 2:8-11
“Be Faithful Onto Death” - Pastor Nathan Deisem - Fathom Church

o SMYRNA – “The Persecuted Church”
A large, important port city on the western coast of Asia Minor (Modern day Izmir, Turkey), famed for its schools of medicine and science, and in the promulgation of the Imperial Cult of Caesar worship (Tiberius 1st cent. & Hadrian 2nd cent.). Historian Strabo (Geography) said it had paved streets, library, gymnasium, Shrine to Homer (Who might have been born there). Large Jewish presence (believing and non-believing). Polycarp (church father and disciple of John) martyred there!

Revelation 2:8-11

Description of CHRIST:
8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life:

• Imminence & Transcendence: Revelation is a Letter written by Apostle John!
o Transcendence – “The First and the Last” (Alpha and Omega)Jesus is eternal! He was there at the beginning & we’ll all see him at the end!
• Isaiah 44:6
“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I AM the first, and I AM the last; and beside me there is no God.” (see also Isaiah 48:12)
• Revelation 1:8
“I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (see also Revelation 22:13)
o Imminence – “The one who was dead & came to life” (Crucifixion & Resurrection)
Jesus died and rose again! What we fear most he has already faced & defeated!
• Why these descriptions for this church??? ((( Let’s read on )))

COMMENDATION:
9 I know your affliction and poverty, but YOU ARE RICH. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

• Poverty: Two words frequently used in the NT for “poor!”o Πένης (penēs) - to toil for daily subsistence –working poor “Scraping by”
o Πτωχεία (ptōcheia) – Beggar, destitute, hopelessly lost!
With regard to Salvation no one is “working poor” we are all “destitute!”

• Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• Slander: 1st century church was very Jewish and definitely Jewish lead (all the disciples)
o Believing and unbelieving Jews were cordial until about 80AD (polytheism)
90AD edict past emperor is God! “Caesar is Lord” – No JESUS IS LORD!
o Rumors: were spread about the church…
Cannibalism – “eat my flesh and drink my blood” – communion
Arsonists – “Fire of the Holy Spirit” – Nero blamed them for burning Rome
Breaking up Families – “Hate father and mother” – families would excommunicate believers at baptism!
(380AD Christianity State Religion)
• Say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan
o John 8:39-44 “…Abraham’s Children … Your father (the devil)”
o Romans 2:12-29 “…Jewish inwardly and outwardly … Circumcision of the heart”
o Acts 14:2; 17:4 “Unbelieving Jews … Jews that were not persuaded”

CORRECTION: NONE WHATSOEVER!!!

COUNCIL:
10 DON’T BE AFRAID of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. BE FAITHFUL TO THE POINT OF DEATH, and I will give you “THE CROWN OF LIFE.”
• ACTS 12: James martyred by the sword – Peter is delivered by angelic intervention
o Corrie Ten Boom (dutch) survived the concentration camp – her sister died
Don’t be afraid - Jesus is faithful! Beginning & End – Died & Came to Life!
• TEN DAYS OF TORTURE THEN EXECUTION --- BE FAITHFUL ONTO DEATH!

• “THE CROWN OF LIFE”
o Not the royal crown “Diadem” (All hail the power of Jesus name)
Στέφανος Stphenos – Wreath of victory for the victorious athlete!
• 1 Corinthians 9:25
“Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.”
• James 1:12
“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
• 2 Timothy 4:7-8
“7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.”

COMMISSION:
11 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.
• Conquering means facing trials even onto death without denying Christ Jesus!o Second Death in Revelation 20 = The Lake of Fire!

#NathanDeisem #FathomChurch #SevenChurchesOfRevelation

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