SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA
CHURCH AT SMYRNA: “THE POOR LITTLE RICH
CHURCH”
Smyrna
Courtesy of:www.holylandphotos.org
THE TEXT
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: I know your
works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich);
and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews
and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”REVELATION 2:8,9
THE TEXT
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to
suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be
tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be
faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
REVELATION 2:10
THE TEXT
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not
be hurt by the second death.”
REVELATION 2:11
BACKGROUND
• 40 miles north of Ephesus. The “Ornament of Asia.”
• Favored as a Greek colony as far back as 1000 B.C.
• Destroyed in 600 B.C., rebuilt in 200 B.C.
• Well planned city with straight and broad roads.
• Seaport and trading center
BACKGROUND
• Some consider it the most brilliant city in Asia Minor
• Claimed to be the first in beauty, literature and loyalty to Rome
• First to erect a temple to the goddess Roma and to the spirit of Rome
• Center of Caesar worship—began to be strictly enforced. Real problem for the Christians in Smyrna.
BACKGROUND
• Famous for majestic buildings, schools of science and medicine
• Polycarp, a disciple of John, was martyred there in 155 A.D.
• “Golden Line Palace” a citadel stood on the mountain guarding the city.
• Temples of Cybele and Acropolis adjoined the palace.
BACKGROUND
• Center to worship of DIONYSUS originally a nature god of fruitfulness and vegetation who eventually became god of wine.
• Mock death, burial and resurrection of DIONYSUS celebrated annually.
• Chosen by Roman senate in 26 AD as site for new temple for the worship of Roman Emperor Tiberius
BACKGROUND
• Contained a large population of influential Jews who were hostile to the church.
• Jews got laws passed that forbade Christians to belong to labor unions—contributed to material poverty.
“FIRST AND THE LAST—DEAD CAME TO LIFE.”
• Eternal being— John 8:15; John 8:58
• He did die—John 19:30• Return from the grave—
Romans 1:4• The atonement for sin.• Philippians 2:6-8• Mocking false worship
COMMENDATIONS
• “I know thy works.”
• True and accurate accounting
• Take notes and inventory of all of our works!– Hebrews 4:13
“And there is no creature hidden from
His sight, but all things are
naked and open to the
eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
COMMENDATIONS
• “Tribulation and poverty.”
• Oppression and distress
• God knows our problems– 2 Timothy 3:12
“Yes, and all who desire
to live godly in Christ Jesus will
suffer persecution.”
COMMENDATIONS
• “Tribulation and poverty.”
• Oppression and distress
• God knows our problems– 1 Peter 4:16
“Yet if anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not be
ashamed, but let him glorify
God in this matter.”
COMMENDATIONS
• “But you are rich.”
• Amazing paradox• Materially—poor• Spiritually—rich – Ephesians 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ.”
COMMENDATIONS
• “But you are rich.”
• Amazing paradox• Materially—poor• Spiritually—rich – Proverbs 13:7
“There is one who makes
himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes
himself poor, yet has great riches.”
COMMENDATIONS
• “But you are rich.”
• Amazing paradox• Materially—poor• Spiritually—rich – Luke 12:15
“And He said to them, Take heed and beware of
covetousness, for one's life does
not consist in the abundance of the
things he possesses.”
COMMENDATIONS
• “Blasphemy.”• False
accusations• Disloyalty to
Caesar• Jews by race—
not by works!– Romans 2:28,29
“For he is not a Jew who is one
outwardly, nor is circumcision that
which is outward in the flesh; but he is a
Jew who is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the
Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but
from God.”
COMMENDATIONS
• “Blasphemy.”• Jews by race—
not by works!• Synagogue of
Satan!– Romans 4:12
“And the father of circumcision to
those who not only are of the
circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still
uncircumcised.”
WORDS OF CONSOLATION
• “Fear none of the things which thou shall suffer.”
• More is coming!• God will see
them through every ordeal– 1 Peter 5:7,8
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for
you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks
about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour.”
WORDS OF CONSOLATION
• “Fear none of the things which thou shall suffer.”
• More is coming!• God will see
them through every ordeal– Matthew 10:28
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to
destroy both soul and body in hell.”
WORDS OF CONSOLATION
• “Fear none of the things which thou shall suffer.”
• More is coming!• God will see
them through every ordeal– Romans 8:31
“What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?”
SOME THROWN INTO PRISON
• Satan’s influence will cause us to be tested!
• Must resist• 10 days—limited
duration– James 4:6,7
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He
says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS
• “Be faithful until death.”
• Martyrdom is possible
• Will it be worth it?– 1 Peter 5:4
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you
will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS
• “Be faithful until death.”
• Martyrdom is possible
• Will it be worth it?– 1 Peter 1:3,4
“…begotten us again to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance incorruptible and
undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven
for you.”
PROMISE
• “Not be overcome by the second death.”
• Never quit—not be indifferent
• 2nd death=eternal punishment!– Matthew 25:46
“And these will go away into everlasting
punishment, but the
righteous into eternal life.”
PROMISE
• “Not be overcome by the second death.”
• Never quit—not be indifferent
• 2nd death=eternal punishment!– Revelation 20:14
“Then Death and Hades
were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.”
To Church at Harrodsburg…
• I Know thy works…• You have a name…
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