Revelation 2:8-11 CSB
8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: 9 “I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.
The Enduring Faith of Smyrna
1. Who was Smyrna
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2. Jesus Himself to the church at Smyrna. (8)
8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: “
a. Jesus is and the : This title belongs only to the LORD, Yahweh.
Isaiah 41:4
“Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I am the LORD, the first and with the last — I am he.”
b. Jesus was and came to :
Mark 16:2
Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us? ” 4 Looking up, they noticed that the stone — which was very large — had been rolled away. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side; they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they put him.
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3. Rich not (9)
9 “I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
James 2:5:
“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?”
Our true value is not measured by our bank account or social standing, but by the richness of our faith in Christ.
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4. Don’t What’s Temporary, for God is in (10)
10a. “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days….
2 Corinthians 4:18
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.”
1 Peter 1:6
You rejoice in this, even though now, for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials
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5. Be Faithful Unto , and the Crown of Life (10)
10b. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
James 1:12:
“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
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6.The Closing (11)
11 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
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Community Life Group Questions
Revelation 2:8-11
- Why does Jesus introduce Himself as “the First and the Last, who was dead and came to life” to this specific church? Revelation 2:8
- What does Jesus mean when He says the church is “poor, yet rich”? Revelation 2:9
- How does the promise “Be faithful to the point of death” challenge our contemporary understanding of Christian commitment? Revelation 2:9
- How do we discern genuine spiritual opposition in our current context? Revelation 2:10
- How does this promise reshape our understanding of suffering and reward? Revelation 2:10
- In what areas of your life do you need to develop more spiritual resilience?
How can we pray for you?