The Church Of Smyrna Series

The church of Smyrna

Randall LaVere II

Quick review of Ephesus. Repent. Change your mind. Decide to go back to where it was when you first found Christ, where you had a boldness.

Rev. 1:19 Jesus said write the things which thou has seen, the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. We are currently living in the things that are. The things which are present, and they are all pertaining to the church. These messages are not dispensational, but are to be used for correction in righteousness today.

The letters to the churches in the book of revelation are for the church today, just as they were for the churches of 2,000 years ago.

The church of Smyrna. Rev. 2:8-11

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; these things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.

We established last week that the angel of the church is the messenger of the church, which is the new testament believer, and messenger of God.

Jesus starts out by telling the church exactly who is writing this letter. The first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.

We know from studying the bible, that Jesus Christ, the word of God, was in the beginning with God. Jn. 1:1-? So there is no doubt as to who was writing this letter.

We know that he was dead, and is alive. Jesus Christ the perfect sacrifice, who laid down his life for our sins. & on the third day he rose again. If Jesus had not risen, then we would have no hope.

v.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 starts out by saying I know thy works. We talked a little bit about this from last week, but He knows what you are working for. He knows the very thoughts and intent of your heart…..

I know your tribulation-gr. Thlipsis your trouble, distress, and affliction. He knows everything that you are going through.

1 Peter 1:7 that the trial of your faith being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, thou it may be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

God revealed through Peter, that the testing of our faith was more precious than that of gold which is tried with fire.

When gold is refined, it is put into a melting pot, and boiled at extremely hot temperatures. The purpose for this is to melt out all of the impurities so that all that is left is pure gold.

Malachi 3:2 says that God is like a refiners fire.

See the reason why that life seems like that it is so hot you can not handle it is because God is testing you, to see whether you are made of pure gold, or if you are just Gold plated. He is working out the impurities out of your life. When the fire seems the hottest, that is when God is working on you the most.

Candlestick- which represented the church was made of Gold.

Next he says that he knows your poverty, but you are rich! I know that you have a mentality that says to you that you are poor, but you are rich. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the thins which are not seen are eternal.

And I know the blasphemy of them which say they are jews, and are not, but are of the synagoge of satan.

Jesus said I know and can see the persecutions that you are going through by people who say that they love me. I can see how they talk about you behind your back, and lie on you. I can see how they slander your reputation, and drag you through the mud, but do not worry about them.

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

He said do not be afraid of what satan is about to tempt you with. It is a word from Jesus himself that tells us that we will be tried. Jesus told us in Jn. 16:33 In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world..

In the church of Ephesus the key to unlocking revival in our lives was to go back to our first love. In this second church, the church of Smyrna, the key is to trust God, that he has something special in store for those who trust him through the storms of life. and always remain faithful