Chapter # 2 Paragraph # 2 Study # 1
August 13, 2023
Broadlands, Louisiana
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Thesis: The messenger to Smyrna is called to a willingness to be a martyr.
Introduction: In our last study we looked into the message of the Spirit to the Churches by way of the message to Ephesus, and we saw that it contained a concept of "additional perks" that reach beyond the basic salvation package that all, who believe, receive.
This evening we are going to look into the message to the leader of the church in Smyrna.
- I. The Letter To Smyrna.
- A. The chosen self-description of Jesus.
- 1. He is "the first and the last".
- a. In 1:11 this phrase is used of Jesus in respect to the Alpha and Omega; this is a reference to His identity as The Word of God, which refers to the integrity of His words as trust worthy.
- b. In 1:17 this phrase is tied to the fact that Jesus lives even though He was dead...a strong indicator of how we are to view death without fear.
- c. In 22:13 this phrase is related to "the Alpha and Omega" and "the beginning and the end".
- 2. "He was dead and lived [again]."
- a. This not only identifies Jesus as the Victor over Death, but strongly sets the stage for the summons "to be faithful unto death".
- B. The knowledge of the leader of the church by Jesus.
- 1. "I know your tribulation..."
- 2. "...and your poverty...", a non-reality because "...you are rich...": this is "material" vs. "relational".
- 3. "...and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews...", another non-reality that is related to the claim of the Jews to be the possessors of the true meanings of Scripture.
- a. "...and they are not..."
- b. "...but are a synagogue of Satan": as the Opposer of God, their doctrine is blasphemous and intended to derail the faith of those who believed Christ and His apostles.
- C. Jesus' counsel.
- 1. "Fear not what you are about to suffer..."
- a. "The devil will cast of you into prison that you may be tried..."
- b. "...and you shall have tribulation ten days".
- 2. "Be faithful unto death..."
- D. Jesus' promise: "I will give you a crown of life".
- E. The summons to "hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches: the overcomer shall not be hurt by the second death".
- 1. This fairly clearly makes "martyrdom" for the faith a non-negotiable.
- 2. This is what is commonly taught as "dying grace"; the ability to face death without hesitation or drawing back (as in Hebrews 10:39).
- a. At some point, "faith" must go to the heart of the Truth of Eternal Life.
- b. If it does not go there, it is not a biblical "faith".
