Church of
Christ Sermons From the Book of Revelation
|
|
Speaker |
Sermon Title 
(Right
Click to Download) |
Audio 
(Click to Listen) |
|
Bobby Stafford |
5. Smyrna (The
suffering church) |
 |
|
The Letter to Smyrna
Text:
Revelation 2:8-11
Body:
Verse 8
-
The city
of Smyrna was a major city of commerce about thirty-five miles
north of Ephesus. It was a center for Caesar (emperor) worship.
-
Christ
is described as “the first and the last.” See:
Revelation 1:11
Christ is eternal, the emperor isn’t!
-
For
descriptions of Christ’s eternal nature, see
Micah 5:2
and
John 1:1-2.
-
Jesus
was “dead, but is now alive.” Death could not keep a hold on
Him.
Acts 2:23-24
Verse 9
-
Jesus
had complete knowledge of all that went on in Smyrna. He could
read the hearts and minds of all.
-
The
Christians had suffered greatly. They had been “crushed” by
those who hated them because they had not bowed down to the
emperor.
I
Peter 4:12-16
-
They
were in poverty, destitute, due to their faithfulness to
Christ.
Hebrews 10:34
-
They had
something better.
James 2:5
-
Some
Jews had bowed down to the emperor. “synagogue of Satan”
Verse
10
-
The
Christian life is not an easy one. Face trials with courage.
Matthew 10:28,
Luke 6:26
-
The real
source of all the trials was Satan. He would bring more
persecution upon them.
-
“Ten
days” This was a symbol for the time of persecution. While they
would undergo great persecution, it would be short compared to
eternity.
II
Corinthians 4:17
-
“Be
faithful” even to the point of death! This shows the sacrifice
that may be required.
Matthew 10:21-22
-
The
reward is “the crown of life.” It is one that will never wear
out.
I
Corinthians 9:24-25,
I Peter 5:4
Those who endure persecutions and truly love the Lord will be
rewarded.
II
Timothy 4:8,
James 1:12
Verse
11
-
The
promise is to those who overcome. This is a key phrase in the
book of Revelation. Those who overcome are those who win out
over tribulations. They are not defeated by them.
-
“Second
death” is the final separation from God at the Day of Judgment.
Revelation 21:8,
II
Thessalonians 1:9
-
Those
who overcome will have eternal life in Heaven.
Bobby
Stafford
More on
Revelation
|
|
