Smyrna: Suffering in ChristRevelation 2: 8-11

Smyrna: Suffering in Christ Rev. 2:1-7Halley’s Bible Handbook:“Two were very good: Smyrna and Philadelphia. Two were very bad: Sardis and Laodicea. Three were part good and part bad: Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira.”

Jesus has no complaint of Smyrna, only praise and encouragement.

“What Christ Thinks of the Church” by John R.W. Stott

Smyrna: Suffering in Christ Rev. 2:1-7Famous for science, medicine, and majestic buildings…

‘crown of porticoes’ -public buildings ringed the Mt. Pagos summit. (v. 10)

Smyrna is modern Izmir in Turkey.St. John probably ordained Polycarp as bishop of Smyrna, the ‘angel’.

Jesus uses meaningful title to each church, here “first and last, who died and came to life again.”

Smyrna: Suffering in Christ Rev. 2:1-7Details prove again ‘Jesus knows!’History… and ‘your afflictions and your poverty.’ They were suffering!

Emperor worship was 300 years old!Local Jews made it worse for church.Suffering: Poverty and slander.Coming: prison and death.Yet they’re rich in heavenly wealth.Jesus comforts “do not be afraid.”

Smyrna: Suffering in Christ Rev. 2:1-7Prison fearful and terrible, death was also possible. (Polycarp 2-22-156…)

Stott (1957 “…we shrink from suffering… the world sees nothing in us to hate…the world hardly notices.”

Jesus ‘reveals’ he is the eternal one, the victorious one (even over death!)

See God is on the throne, purposeful, limits evil and suffering.

‘Crown of life’ is eternal life!