DEc 15, 2024 Sun Message: Smyrna, the 2nd of the 7 Churches of Revelation - Pastor Chuck Kennedy

Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Smyrna

Close to Ephesus and a large city

Now, it is called Izmir, the 3rd largest city in Turkey and Turkey’s busiest port.

The name Smyrna comes from the Arabic word “murr”, which means “bitter.” Myrrh has a sweet but bitter smell, which is like our relationship with Christ; it is sweet in relation to Christ but bitter in relation to persecution.

myrrh, which was an aromatic substance used sometimes as a healing ointment but more especially for embalming the dead.

The message of the church in Smyrna

Fear not

Faithfulness in suffering

The name "Smyrna" is closely related to "myrrh." When certain plants are crushed, they emit a fragrant resin called myrrh. Similarly, when the church at Smyrna suffered, it produced a characteristic reaction.

Jesus does not bring a single criticism against this church in His letter.

Polycarp, the 2nd century Bishop of Smyrna, was martyred there because he would not worship anyone but Jesus.

Bitter persecutions repeatedly crushed the local church of Smyrna, and it was several times virtually destroyed, but it has always been restored to life. This church felt the full force of the pagan Roman persecutions of the second and third centuries.

This church is a great example to the church today

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

There are 2 kinds of scriptural suffering

1. To do the will of God

2. Persecution

Suffer to do His will and not ours means to die to our flesh

2Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2Cor 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2Cor 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

2Cor 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

2Cor 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

1Pet 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1Pet 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Persecution of the Godly

2Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Smyrna and Philadelphia were the only 2 churches with no correction from the Lord

Persecution is like a fire

It burns up the chaff, separating the fake from the real

Mark 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

Matt 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Matt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Persecution is dying to self.

Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

John 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

John 15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

John 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Reviewing Smyrna again

Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Jesus is the first and last

Was dead but arose from the grave victoriously!

Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Jesus walks through the tribulation and persecution with us

He never leaves us nor forsakes us

He knows the difference in the ones who say they are of God and are not

These Jews at this time it is reported that many assisted the Romans in their horrible torture of the Christians

Jesus calls them, the fakes, the synagogue of satan

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Fear not is the message.

As you stand for Jesus, the world will hate you and try to make you recant

Rev 12.11 Loved not your life to death

Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.