Revised

               REVELATIONS. Studies by Mr K.Gerner B.A

Audio Visual Ministries, 152 High St, HOLYWOOD, Co Down.BT18 9HT.N.Ireland

Lesson 3. GIVEN MESSAGE TO CHURCH AT SMYRNA

REVELATION Chapter 2 V 8 TO V.11

 

1. POSITION

     50 miles North of Ephesus at the sea end of another great trade route. The Church there was financially poor, but spiritu­ally rich. This may have been due to a trade boycott by the Smyrna traders, who were largely Jews and who had set themselves against the Christians. They had rejected their Messiah and the Lord shows their synagogue as a house of Satan. (From this we see how God views Jews who reject His Son!) This city, now called ISMIR, is still rich in Turkey and situated on the coast of the modern Aegean sea.

2.PRAISE. v.8 to 11

REV 2:9 AV>"I know your WORKS...

(a) PERSONAL EFFORTS. We have seen that the effects of REAL FAITH are seen in "works" (cf James 1:25) so that every work for God is a "work of faith"

2TH 1:11 NIV , we constantly pray for you, that our God may... fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

Although we are NOT saved BY works (Ephes 2:8) we are saved UNTO works (Ephes 2:10) and godliness is associated with good works,especially in women who are attached to the Church, seeking a ministry

1TI 2:10 NIV but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to  worship God.  God has actually, set us apart, as a people to serve thus.   That  is one reason why Christ died and gave Himself:

TIT 2:14 NIV who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wick­edness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL THINGS WE HAVE DONE FOR hIM ?

(B) PERSECUTION "tribulation.." We have seen that the Church is NOT promised immunity from the Great Tribulation, or from any trouble on the way.(i) Here the Lord commends their faithful stand & teaches that :

MAT 13:21 NIV But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.(WE MUST remain faithful, in order to have harvest)

 

JOH 16:33 NIV ". In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (Victory is in Christ over the world)

ACT 14:22 NIV strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.(Paul & Barnabas clearly taught converts the same truth)

ROM 5:3 NIV Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;(Aim at going through times of suffering to produce perseverance)

ROM 8:35 NIV Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?(None of these things separate us from God's LOVE)

2CO 1:4 NIV who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (Our ministry springs from going through trouble)

2CO 7:4 NIV. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.(God can even cause us to REJOICE  through trou­bles !)

1TH 3:3 NIV so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.(Paul saw Divine calling to trouble for all his converts !)

2TI 2:12 NIV if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;(We need to suffer with Him in order to reign with Him !)

REV 1:9 NIV I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.(John's personal experience confirmed this calling !)

JESUS HIMSELF suffered and died, and KNOWS ALL ABOUT OUR TRIALS AS HE HAS BEEN THROUGH MOST OF THEM HIMSELF ! Trials (even to death) are NOT out of the will of God, but there is a sure prom­ise of GRACE TO GIVE US VICTORY.   Paul had this in mind, when he wrote :

ROM 8:37 NIV No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

(ii) POLYCARP was a member of this Church when this letter was written. When martyred in AD 155, he had been saved 26 years. IGNATIUS (on his way to Rome to be martyred in 108 AD) wrote to Polycarp at Smyrna, as leader of the Church. He died in glory. In our own time many thousands are still dying daily for the Lord, and can claim the promise of REV 2:11 NIV He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

IN THE LAST 7 YEARS OF THIS AGE, MANY OTHERS WILL DIE FOR CHRIST AND MEDITATION ON THIS PROMISE MAY WELL HELP THEM.

(iii) THE LORD WARNS THAT SATAN HIMSELF IS BEHIND THIS PERSECU­TION for where Christians will not compromise or deceived by his coming as an angel of light, he comes as a roaring lion to try to inspire FEAR.

MAT 10:17 NIV "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.18 On my account  you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say

LUK 21:15 NIV For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

PHI 1:28 NIV without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved that by God.29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

(iv) GOD TRUSTS US WITH SUFFERING AS A GIFT !

(God allows Satan to try to destroy the faith of His saints, in order that the world may see and be challenged by the faithful witness of God's people. The faith of Christians is proved by such experiences and is found to glory at the coming of Jesus. 1PE 1:7 NIV These have come so that your faith greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by firemay be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. cf.1PE 5:10 NIV And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suf­fered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

(v) Christ searches our hearts and allows trials to come our way to show the good, as well as the bad, which is in them

While we are on trial, He is interceding for us and this tribula­tion, if it is faced with Christ, can only do us good. He did the same for Peter (Luke 22:31to 34) and His prayer prevailed to bring Peter through to Pentecost and a leading ministry.

(vi) Those faithful to death, are promised a CROWN OF LIFE from Christ

who was faithful in the same way.

1PE 5:4 NIV And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

(c) POVERTY

REV 2:9 NIV I know your afflictions and your poverty  yet you are rich!   MATERIAL PROSPERITY is NOT THE MAIN AIM of Christians and we need to be careful of this kind of teaching.

(i) POVERTY in itself is NOT COMMENDABLE, THE POOR ARE LOOKED UPON BY GOD WITH SPECIAL CONCERN

(ii) CHRIST CAME TO PREACH TO THE POOR and the Early Church were mostly poor people.

LUK 4:18 NIV "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. 1CO 1:26 NIV Broth­ers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

(iii) The early poverty at Jerusalem was largely because it cost the converts everything to be saved. How much has it cost us ?

ROM 15:26 NIV For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

JAM 2:5 NIV Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

(iv) POVERTY CAN DRIVE US TO PRAYER AND DEPENDENCE ON GOD. When the Church becomes rich, it can become spiritually bankrupt, as the wise priest commented on the Book of Acts

ACT 3:6 NIV Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

"The Church may have the silver and gold now, BUT HAS IT THE SAME MIRACLES ?"

(v) THE POOR CAN OFTEN BE LED ASTRAY BY THOSE OFFERING PROSPERITY AT A MATERIAL LEVEL, INSTEAD OF SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD MAT 6:33 NIV But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

We need to see that Jesus WANTED FOR NOTHING, but that He died without leaving anything and was dependent on another man for His very grave. BE CAREFUL OF THE TEMPTATION TO BECOME RICH AT THE EXPENSE OF LOSING SPIRITUAL POWER. MAT 5:3 NIV "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(Remain in the Spirit while you are poor)

(d) PROMISED A CROWN OF LIFE

REV 2:10 NIV Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer..... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

(i) If the Church remains faithful in prison, there will be a Crown of life.

Just to be saved will be wonderful, but to overcome and have this promise of reigning with Christ, is beyond all thought.

2TI 2:12 NIV if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;

JAM 1:12 NIV Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

(ii) THE LORD PROMISES EVENTUAL DELIVERANCE FROM THIS TRIAL

2PE 2:9 NIV if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials .

3. PROPHETIC WARNING

REV 2:11 NIV He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

(a) Salvation is only promised to the OVERCOMER

There is no basis for a teaching of "once saved, always saved", and we must OVERCOME to avoid the SECOND DEATH. This is taught throughout this Chapter

REV 2:7 NIV He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

(b) SALVATION only comes as we FINISH THE COURSE

2TI 4:6 NIV For I am already being poured out like a drink offer­ing, and the time has come for my departure.7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-- not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

WE NEED TO CARRY ON TO THE END IN ORDER TO AVOID THE SECOND DEATH.ARE WE DOING THIS ?