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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg
The Seven Churches of Revelation Part 3
Revelation 2:8-11 Smyrna
Today we continue our teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”
Over the next several weeks we will seek to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today. Just like the rest of our Bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason.
Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.
Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be. Our series is specifically focused on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in Asia minor
Today we continue with the Church in Smyrna, found in Revelation 2:8-11.
Revelation 2:8-11
“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.
Smyrna was a beautiful and luxurious city with great significance in the Roman Empire. And although the letter brings no complaint against the Church in Smyrna, it does deliver an encouragement and a warning.
What does it mean to be faithful?
To be faithful means that we declare with our lives that Jesus is Lord!
Exodus 1: Shiprah and Puah in Egypt
2 Kings 5: Naaman and Elisha
Daniel 3: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abegnego,
Amos 4: Israel’s unfaithfulness
Luke 1: Mary’s song
For Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, we must surrender ourselves entirely to Jesus Christ.
Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
The challenging question for us to ask is: Who is Lord?
Who is the Lord of your life?
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