CENTRAL THOUGHT
The Church should not be in harmony with the world system.
Hymn: “When Peace Like a River Attendeth My Way”.
TEXT: REV. 2:8-11
INTRODUCTION:
The Lord Jesus Christ knows His church fully well. He is the Head, while the church is His body. The church derives her ministry and authority by being firmly rooted on the eternal foundation laid by Christ.
Seven revelational letters were written to seven churches as direct messages from the glorified Christ.
The church is Smyrna was one of the smallest among the seven churches mentioned and appears to be materially impoverished. It was suffering persecution from members of the church who were not active believers.
In this study we shall examine the contents of this letter with a view to drawing valuable lessons.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this lesson are to:
1.) Explain the significance of Christ’s introduction
2.) Identify points of commendation for this church
3.) State points of complaint against this church
4.) Discuss the instructions and promises to this church
5.) Relate the state of this church to present day Christian experience.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) HOW DID CHRIST INTRODUCE HIMSELF, AND OF WHAT SIGNIFICANCE IS IT? Rev. 2:8
Jesus Christ introduced Himself to the church in Smyrna as the First and the Last, which was dead and is alive. As opposed to the rest of humanity, Christ was there at the beginning and He will be there forever. He died as sacrifice for our sins, but now He lives to make intercession for our justification and acceptance in God’s sight.
QUESTION 2) WHAT ARE THE POINTS OF COMMENDATION FOR THIS CHURCH? Rev. 2:9
For this church the Lord Jesus Christ commended them for their work and took notice of their troubles, which included tribulation arising from their steadfastness in faith, their material impoverishment because they desired to have an unblemished testimony for Christ. Jesus Christ commented on the wickedness and falsehood of their enemies, who were blasphemous, claiming to be Jews, whereas they were not. These are those who pretend by word to obey the peculiar covenant-people of God but indeed are of the synagogue of satan. The synagogue of satan is a reference to impersonators of the children of God and their mission is to destroy the church.
QUESTION 3) WHAT WERE THE POINTS OF COMPLAINT AGAINST THIS CHURCH?
There was no direct complaint against the church in Smyrna. However, there were imposters within this church who were enemies of Christ in the strict sense of it. Their claim to
covenant right of salvation was false as satan was their master. The important thing is that the church in Smyrna stood her ground against these satanic agents.
QUESTION 4) DISCUSS THE INSTRUCTIONS AND PROMISES PLACED BEFORE THIS CHURCH.
Rev. 2:10
Christ gave a word of command to them to the effect that why should “fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.” The devil was behind it and it was intended to try their faith. The trial would involve being cast into prison, tribulation for “ten days”, and even death. This word assured them that God had gone ahead to procure their victory. The tribulation would only affect some, not all of them; was not going to be perpetual, but for a limited time. This was to try them (or prove their faith) and not to destroy them.
There are three vital lessons to learn from the instructions Christ gave to the church in Smyrna. The first is that God foreknows the future trials of His people. The second is that He forewarns them about those trials, while the third lesson is the He forearms or equips them to overcome the trial.
The promise made by Jesus Christ to this church is that of a glorious reward for their faithfulness. To be faithful unto death means to pay the price of martyrdom if it becomes necessary. It also means to be steadfast in faith as long as one lives. Christ has promised a crown of life to those who endure to the end.
QUESTION 5) HOW DO WE RELATE THE STATE OF THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA TO THE PRESENT-DAY CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE?
The message to this church has universal application and calls for universal attention. God is aware of every situation of His people. He pre-empts the strategies of the enemy and empowers His people to persevere.
There is a great trial of faith going on in today’s world. Believers are presently persecuted through violence, deprivations, and through the enactment of ungodly statues. The synagogue of satan is targeting core Christian values on marriage, family, and fellowship. But in all of these we are instructed by Christ to “fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer”. Our focus should transcend this earthly journey and be beamed on “the Crown of Life”.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The church is Smyrna struggled against internal and external forces of darkness, leading to persecutions of high magnitude. In spite of this, the brethren remained faithful to God, and Christ in turn commended their loyalty, as believers, we must realize that the church should never be in harmony with the earthly system and that this is a sure source of conflicts, but we have been forewarned and adequately forearmed for victory.
MEMORY VERSE:
REV. 2:11
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Be rich towards God. (Luke 12:21)
TUE: Patient continuance in well-doing. (Romans 2:7)
WED: He that endureth to the end. (Matthew 10:22)
THU: Be rich in good works. (1 Timothy 6:18)
FRI: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. (James 1:12)
SAT: The rich man and the kingdom. (Mark 10:22)