Revelation 2:8-11

The church at Smyrna was intensely persecuted because they did not conform to the idolatry that was required of them. And they suffered for it. Some of the main lessons from this church are that we have the strongest fragrance for Christ when we are pressured by persecution, riches are only found in Christ, and we have a different perspective than the world—an eternal perspective—that allows us to be faithful even unto death. May we have courage like the believers of Smyrna did.

Smyrna: the Lacerated church

I. The Location (literal local church)

• • Smyrna was a thriving commercial Roman city, a center of business
  • They had a temple to the emperor, where worship to caesar was required
  • Citizens had to offer a pinch of incense on the altar to the emperor
  • Christians were excluded from the economic successes of Smyrna
  • If you have seen the movie Polycarp, it describes this city
  • There was intense persecution here, and many Christians caved
  • The name means “crushed” signifying the making of Myrrh, an incense
  • When myrrh is crushed, it gives off a sweet-smelling fragrance

II. The Likeness of Christ

• • “The first and the last” - unchanging, constant, outlasting
  • “Which was dead, and is alive” - conquered death
  • The embodiment and provider of eternal life
  • He died, faced the ultimate persecution, to give us life
  • Jesus knows…

III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)

• • Works, tribulation, and poverty for their steadfastness
  • In the world’s estimate they were in poverty, but they were rich in Christ
  • They were courageous in the face of pain and poverty
  • They labeled things the way that God did
  • Nothing negative is said about this church
  • They are told to not fear, though things would not get better physically
  • The reality that things might never get better in this life for us
  • They were to stay faithful and stay focused on the eternal rewards

IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative)

• • There were ten Roman emperors who intensely persecuted the church
  • This was the period of AD 64-310 (extending beyond these churches)
  • From the apostolic time to Emperor Constantine, ten great periods
  • It would be intense, one right after the other
  • But there was a light at the end of the persecution
  • There was a beginning and an end
  • Compared to eternity, it is brief

V. The Lesson for us (type of church)

• • We serve a Savior Who is alive and the author and finisher of our faith
  • When we face persecution or exclusion, we are an incense to God
  • True wealth and riches are found in Christ
  • Live for the eternal rewards, not the circumstantial

Revelation 2:1-7

We left off discussing the various views of these churches, and today we jump into the letter to the first of these churches. Christ presents Himself to the church at Ephesus—who had been given premier teaching on the church from Paul and the qualifications for church leaders through Paul’s letter to Timothy—as the One who cares for the messengers of the church and walks in the midst of His body. Most of the contents of this letter to Ephesus is praiseworthy, but there is a warning issued them to return to their first love. There is much for us to learn from the letter to this church.

Ephesus: the Loveless church

I. The Location (literal local church) #1

• • Very important Roman city in the province of Asia
  • City of Diana the pagan Greek goddess
  • Church Paul spent the most time at
  • Timothy ministered there, as did John, possibly as elders
  • Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is the masterpiece treatise on the church, there were no problems addressed in this epistle, contains spiritual depth, it is in the letter to Timothy we have the qualifications for pastor and deacon
  • Gave his parting sermon in Acts 20

II. The Likeness of Christ

• • Christ’s relationship with His church
  • Caring for the elders and walking in the midst of the members

III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)

• • ✅Intolerance towards evil & error
  • ✅Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (domineering over the people)
  • ✅Had remained faithful and patient in their works and labor
  • ❎Left their first love
    • Their fervor and affection was abated over time
    • Probably due to trials due to their location

IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative) #3

• • Represents the Apostolic Age AD 70-170
  • This is a call to patience, to bear under great trials, to continue long in obedience

V. The Lesson for us (type of church) #2

• • Wilmington’s helpful outline:
  • Remember the faith they had loved (give their heads to Christ)
  • Repent (give their hearts to Christ)
  • Repeat their first works (give their hands to Christ)

Revelation 2-3

This is a really important part of Revelation because this is where we are living right now. This is the things which “are” so we should take note because it is written to our current time frame. In this first episode on these two chapters, we are introducing the seven churches and the three aspects of these churches as (1) literal local churches, (2) symbolic or types of churches, and (3) historic representative churches throughout the church age. Looking forward to jumping into the church of Ephesus next week!

Revelation 1:17-20

John is here given the outline for the revelation he would record (1) the things which he had seen, (2) the things which were, and (3) the things which would be hereafter. When these last remaining things begin to happen, they will take place suddenly and in rapid succession (1:1). May we meditate on these things of eternal value and long to see the Lord face to face.

Revelation 1:13-16

These verses give us a glimpse of Jesus, as He will be in the day of the Lord. For now, we can see Jesus as we study the truth of His Word, watch prophecy line up for His return, interact with other believers who are part of His Bride, and meditate upon Him personally. We need but to listen and turn and look as John did. And one day we will see—not just a glimpse of Jesus—but we will see Him as He is. That is what motivates us to purity and hope (1 John 3:2-3).

Revelation 1:11-16

At the beginning of John’s vision, he hears the voice of God telling him to record the things he would see (beginning with a vision of Jesus Himself) to spread to the churches in the region. We then get a window into the voice and description of Jesus here. These verses remind us of how we have come to possess the Word of God and the privilege of being the church of God. Next week, we will pick up with this seven-fold vision of Jesus.

Revelation 1:9-10

In these two verses, we get a window into the life of John and what he was experiencing after his imprisonment and exile to the Isle of Patmos. But even there, his mind was on the Lord’s Day. They can imprison our bodies, but they cannot capture our hearts and minds. The important truth for us is that even when we feel exiled in this world and on an island spiritually, we can meditate on the culmination of God’s plan in our spirit.

Revelation 1:7-8

We will all see Christ return to earth, the question is how will we respond. Some will mourn over not believing Christ sooner, others will be angry that God is coming to crush wickedness, and those of us who are saved right now will actually return with Him and watch Him set up His kingdom. So how should we live right now? We should live with trust in God, believing that His way is best and that He will keep His promises. He is eternal and almighty, and nothing can interfere with His designs for human history. Ours is only to trust Him and live for Him.