2. The Seven Churches of Revelation • A journey • Discovery & Exploration • What it meant then and now • Context • How to apply in our lives • Dictated by Jesus – written by John

3. The Churches of Revelation

4. Revelation 2:8-11 (NIVUK) • To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: • These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

5. Smyrna – history and background • The only reference to it in the Bible • No record of a visit by Paul but… • Acts 19:8-10 (NIVUK) • Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord

6. Smyrna – history and background • The only reference to it in the Bible • No record of a visit by Paul but… • Make disciples And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others – 2Timothy 2:2 (NIVUK) • 4 generational discipleship program • Me | You | Plus 1 | Plus 2

7. Smyrna – history and background • 35 miles north of Ephesus • Cultural & Commercial centre - birthplace of Homer • Founded 1,000BC; destroyed in 500BC • Rebuilt 300 years later • The pride or glory of Asia • Modern town planning • Backed onto a hill – “The Crown of Smyrna”

8. Key Messages • City had died and been reborn • City had a physical “crown” • Jesus knew what was happening • Afflictions and poverty • Slander • Know • Because you’ve been told • Because you’ve experienced • The difference between sympathy and empathy

9. Key Messages • Persecution • Financial • Religious • “Poor” – “abject poverty and destitution” • Rich – “inherit eternal life” “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” – Matthew 19:29 (NIVUK) “…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?” – James 2:5 (NIVUK) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” –2Corinthians 8:9 (NIVUK)

10. Key Messages • Tough times ahead – more persecution is coming • Freedom - prison • Increased oppression • Death “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” – 2Timothy 3:12 (NIVUK) “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” – 2Peter 1:3 (NIVUK)

11. Two promises • A crown of life for those who are victorious • “Crown” = “stephanos” • No second death • Jesus has gone before us and is alive forevermore • Uniquely positioned “Alpha & Omega” – Revelation 1:8 “The First and the Last – the Living One” – Revelation 1:18 “…because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself” – 2Corinthians 4:14 (NIVUK)

12. No criticism or censure • Weren’t perfect • They persevered through persecution and remained faithful – will we?