Church Message to Smyrna
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last (1), who was dead, and came to life (2): “I know your works (3), tribulation (4), and poverty (5) (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 (6). Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer (7). Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison (8), that you may be tested (9), and you will have tribulations for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (10). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (11). He who overcomes (12) shall not be hurt by the second death.”’” Revelation 2:8-11
1) Yahweh is the First and the Last.
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6
2) Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
3) Works from the heart is evidence of salvation.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God
shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:34-35
4) Tribulation for believers is normal in godless societies.
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith,
and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:21-22
5) Jesus Christ never neglected the poor.
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you
hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed
and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Matthew 11:4-5
6) Synagogues remained places of unbelief.
Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of
the Jews and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of
the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Acts 14:1-2
7) Suffering for believers is normal in godless societies..
And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and
beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of
Jesus and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the
council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:40-41
8) Prison for believers is normal in godless societies.
But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they
seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the
authorities. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These
men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs
which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then
the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore
off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when
they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison,
commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a
charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in
the stocks. Acts 16:19-24
9) Believers’ faith in Jesus Christ will be tested.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be,
you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your
faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by
fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of
Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. 1 Peter 1:6-8
10) Believers will receive an imperishable crown of life.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives
the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who
competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to
obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
11) There is no one true organized church.
12) Believers are overcomers by faith in Jesus Christ.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone
who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this
we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His
commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is
born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:1-5