for the Last-Day followers of Christ?

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.’

Revelation 2: 8-11

Jesus

Four Ways to Hear

1.) Understand the church for which the message was originally intended. What was the city, culture, and condition of the church?

2.) How does that church match up with our local congregation? When you hear the issues of the Revelation church, does it ring a bell related to your congregation? For example, is it loveless, lukewarm, etc.?

3.) How does the message speak to me personally? Are you loveless, lukewarm, etc.?

4.) The contemporary significance of each church as a historical marker of the church’s journey through the ages (Historist view). the first church of Ephesus

Regarding question #1. Here is the description of Smyrna at the time of Jesus message to them:

The Church of Smyrna. Who Were They? Is This Us?

1.) A political, religious, and cultural center noted for the science and medicine that flourished there.

2.) Entertainment was king. They were proud of their largest public theater in the province. It seated twenty thousand people!

3.) The city was wealthy and beautiful, claiming the title of “the glory of Asia.”

4.) It had a special relationship with Rome (the government). The first to build a temple of home to the pagan god Roma.

5.) Christians were not popular and minimized. At the time of the book of Revelation, emperor worship became mandatory. Each citizen was required to burn incense on the altar to the godhead of Creaser, then issued a certificate. To refuse could bring death (Rev. 13?)

6.) There was a large and robust contingency of Jews hostile towards Christians. They joined the pagans against the Christians and incited the authorities to persecute them. They slandered the Christians and made false accusations of creating trouble and misery for them (purposeful misinformation?). Jesus depicts these Jews as the “synagogue of Satan.” As Christians, are we quick to minimize and criticize other Christians, not of our particular denomination? In today’s society, we may be our own worse enemy!

Consequently, there was fear among the Christians. What direction did Jesus give them? Did he tell them to become survivalists and store weapons and food to survive? Did he ask them to compromise their faithfulness to Him? No! He said this: “Stop fearing the things you are about to suffer.”

Here is the message to local congregations and individuals in the church. Stop the gloom and doom messages. Be truthful about the destruction of Christ’s return, but stop fearing and believe in God’s protection for those who love Him and His appearing. If suffering is involved, God will provide the strength to endure! The world fears for the things they see coming upon the earth, not the follower of Christ!

Stop fearing and start trusting in Him!

Jesus message to this city is the shortest of the seven .

Jesus introduces Himself as the first and the last, the one who was dead and came to life (2:8; cf. 1:17) This introduction of Jesus is well suited for a suffering church passing through dire, constant persecution.

Revelation of Jesus Christ, Ranko Stefanovic, p.123

The fact that Jesus died and rose to life after three days is the bedrock of the Christian’s hope. Our hope is not in dying and going to heaven. It is the return of Christ and raising us from the dead. Paul makes this clear in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15. Like Jesus, we may be persecuted, but we have this hope that even though we die, we shall live again.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Jesus, John 11:25

The Crown of Life

This church was already faithful, but Jesus is telling them to endure and continue to be faithful. The Christian experience of salvation is not a one-time event, but a continued journey.

But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

The Crown is given at the return of Christ. Let those “with ears hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Paul- 2 Timothy 4:18

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Jesus-Revelation 22: 12, 13