These are the Scriptures used for the message A Love Letter From Jesus to Smyrna preached on August 25, 2019. Also included are some of the notes I used for the message and back-up Scriptures. Much but will only allow our enemy to destroy of the body of Christ is failing to be what it ought to be because it is busy protecting itself from persecution. Playing the victim instead of being the victor creates much opportunity for believers to never realize the goodness of God. His grace provides opportunity for us to be persecuted. Lying low will not spare us but allow our enemy to make the testimony of Jesus' victory ineffective. The cure is knowing Jesus was dead but now lives.
Revelation 2:8-11 NKJV
Smyrna means bitter and Myrrh. Myrrh was used to embalm the dead and was given to Jesus while He was dying on the cross as it was mixed in with the water they gave Him on a sponge. Some of its purpose was thought to deaden the pain. Smyrna is the second largest Turkish commercial city. It is a rough city, very “blue collar” yet its’ inhabitants boast considerable wealth for the region. The church at Smyrna is a significant one at the time of the Revelation writing. In the late 1800 it was estimated that out of 150,000 residents about 70,000 professed to be Christians. Because of the rise of Islam the population of Christians in the region has dwindled to single digit percentages. It is the modern city of Izmir the most progressive and dynamic city in Turkey.
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Ten is a reference to the Law. This is their test. Will they fall under the Law again or will they continue in grace? The Jews spoken of in verse 9 had put the leadership of the church and the attendees under a lot of persecution from within to follow the Law. Jesus says these ones are of the worship place of Satan. Polycarp, the first presiding Bishop of the church at Smyrna was burned at the stake alive.
2 Timothy 3:10-17 NKJV
10) But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11) persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13) But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14) But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15) and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4:3-8 NKJV
3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Revelations 2
11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." '
Revelation 20:4-6 NKJV
4) And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5) But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Revelation 20:14-15 NKJV
14) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:4-8 NKJV
4) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
5) Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
6) And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
7) He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8) But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
James 1:12 NKJV
12) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.