PASSIONATE PURSUIT...

​STUDY GUIDE NOTES CHURCH OF SMYRNA
REVELATION2:8-11
AND UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH; THE FIRST AND THE LAST, WHICH WAS DEAD, AND IS ALIVE.I KNOW THY WORKS, AND TRIBULATION, AND POVERTY, (BUT THOU ART RICH) AND I KNOW THE BLASPHEMY OF THEM WHICH SAY THEY ARE JEWS, AND ARE NOT, BUT ARE THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN.
The church in Smryna Is also located in Western Asia in what is known as modern day Turkey. The church has been planted in what is known as Roman territory. The Romans of that time were heavily into emperor worship which is another form of idolatry and because of such expectation the Christian believers were greatly persecuted. Righteousness was not popular. The Lord speaks as the fist and the last to this church, as to state that he is the author and the finisher of our faith. The reminder is given here that Jesus Christ is risen who was once dead and is now well alive. Though the adversary had a plan to take the life of Jesus Christ it was the plan of God to overcome by conquering death and leading captivity captive. He overcame the will of the adversary.
The Lord declares that he knows our works that we do and also our tribulations and the troubles that we endure while doing such a work. He says he even knows the poverty meaning he knows our economic struggles and the things which affect our ability to thrive, though spiritually we are rich with spiritual treasures. He says he even knows those that blaspheme that say they are Jews and are not. There are some who they have been chosen. There are some who say they have been called. They say that they have been sanctified. They have been gifted to do a work for the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not something where someone has shortcomings or has come short of the glory of God. The Lord God calls it blasphemy; meaning they have boldly lied on His Spirit and have made it clear that they do not serve the truth but are servants of the enemy.
FEAR NONE OF THESE THINGS WHICH THOU SHALT SUFFER: BEHOLD, THE DEVIL SHALL CAST SOME OF YOU INTO PRISON: THAT YE MAY BE TRIED; AND YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION TEN DAYS: BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE.
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.
The enemy comes with threats, fear, and intimidation. But the Spirit of the Lord commands us to fear none of those things that shall come to pass for His name sake.
Acts 4:29
AND NOW, LORD, BEHOLD THEIR THREATENINGS: AMD GRANT UNTO THY SERVANTS THAT WITH ALL BOLDNESS THEY MAY SPEAK THY WORD…
The Lord warns in this message of the things that some will suffer because of the location of the church which is surrounded by such wickedness. Remain faithful even until death because the Lord has taken away the sting of death. The reward for your faithfulness is everlasting life. The flesh may die but to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. He will give you a crown of life.