February 21, 2008

Revelation 2:8-11 - The Church at Smyrna

-The Persecuted Church Age - 100-313AD

v8 Smyrna - means bitter

-we get the word myrhh from Smtrna

-Jesus is our example to follow - He suffered

-we will all face bitter times

1 Corinthiams 5:7 and Exodus 12:1-12 - The Lamb

1. vs3,5 - The lamb is Jesus Christ -

-lamb - means a kind, gentle, pet lamb

v5 - no blemish - without sin and a male

2. v4 - the Lamb is for eveyone

-invite others over to have some

3. Your Lamb - v5 - a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is needed for salvation

4. v6 - Jesus came for those who are Jewish and Gentile

5. v10 - eat all of the Lamb

-all of Jesus and His word is good

6. v8 - bitter herbs - take a bite of the Lamb with some bitter herbs

-bitter experiences will be a part of the Christian life

-not every bite of Lamb includes bitter experiences

When bitter times arise:

1. remember there are angels all over the place - to strengthen us

2. remember the Lord is always present - I am the First and the Last - I am alive...

4 Things the Lord Knows:

1. I KNOW YOUR WORKS - good or bad - v9

-this is mentioned 7 times in Rev 2-3.  7 is the number of completeness

-to be complete we need to be serving

-do something

2. I KNOW YOUR TRIBULATION - means to be pressed or squeezed - v9

-it is a picture of grain being beaten by a club to break the kernels from the husks

-some people think we will not suffer as a Christian - Acts 14:22

-some think people suffer by being out of God's will

-some people think suffering is because people are in sin

3. I KNOW YOUR POVERTY - v9

poverty - means to possess absolutely nothing

rich - refers to their heavenly bank account

4. I KNOW THE SLANDER - v9

blasphemy - means to slander

-slanders origin is the enemy

-synagogue of Satan - this is not a building, but a gathering of people discussing how to hurt Christians

-slander is the result of doing something for Jesus..................

v10 - 10 days of tribulation - refers to 10 periods of time or seasons of tribulation for the church

---one of the main reasons for tribulation was the refusal to worship Caesar...

Rewards - vs10-11

v10 - receive a crown of life

-this is for faithfulness

-faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-25

v11 - we will not be a part of the second death - Rev 20:11-15

-this is the Lake of fire