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Smyrna: The Church Under Persecution
Revelation 2:8-11
8 Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive:
9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
11 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.”—Revelation 2:8-11 (NLT)
- Thlipsis (Affliction) – Original meaning was, “
No matter how much the world tries to
Ptōcheia (Poverty) – Is a person who has
- Jesus says the poor are blessed by God. (Luke 6:20).
Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,
“God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.”—Luke 6:20 (NLT) - James says God chooses the poor in this world to be rich in faith. (James 2:5)
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?—James 2:5 (NLT)
- Jesus says the poor are blessed by God. (Luke 6:20).
Imprisonment- 10 days was an expression to say “
Jesus never says we will not experience hardships for believing in Him, but He does promise to be with us throughout
If we cause a person of faith to sin then we too are
We are victorious when we place our “
Next Week: The SEVEN Churches of Revelation: Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17)