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Progression of a Relationship
1. First Love
Progression of a Relationship
Loyality
Revelation 2:9 - 11
Symrna
Symrna
In the first century, it could have had about 200,0...
In the first century, it could have had about 200,000 residents. It had the status of a free city; it was a political, religious, and cultural center noted for the science and medicine that flourished there. It was proud of its famous stadium, library, and the largest public theater in the province, seating some twenty thousand people. It was a wealthy and exceptionally beautiful city, claiming to be “the glory of Asia.”
Description of Jesus
‘The words of the first and the last,
‘The words of the first and the last,
It mirrors the statement in Isaiah’s account of the God of the covenant: “I am the first and the last, and there is no God apart from Me” (44:6; cf. 41:4; 48:12).
The resurrected Christ is “one like a son of man” fulfilling God’s covenant promise to ancient Israel: “I will also walk among you and be your God and you will be My people” (Lev. 26:12).
The resurrected Christ is “one like a son ...
who died and came to life.
He experienced the worst that life could bring.
Jesus is telling them that no matter what might happen, he, the resurrected and glorified Lord, can help because he has gone through it. He remains faithful to his promise to be always with his suffering people.
I know
I know
your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Tribulation
Tribulation
External affliction
Possibility of physical abuse
Socioeconomic.
Smyrna was a free city, based on its relation with Rome.
It is probable that hostility and abuse were perpetrated by relatives
Emperor Worship
Emperor
- Temples
- Aqueducts
- Limited Autonomy
- Protection
- Loyalty
- Taxes
- Military support
Client Kingdom
Poverty
Their poverty is the result of the persecution.
The Christians in Smyrna lived in one of the wealthiest cities, and yet they are extremely poor. Although poor in material things, however, they are rich in grace and faith.
Material goods have no ultimate value, but will all ...
Material goods have no ultimate value, but will all be destroyed. Knowledge of this reality should bring a shift in priorities towards spiritual things which are truly lasting (2Pe. 2Pe. 3:10-11). The church at Laodicea had great material prosperity, but Christ said they were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. Rev. 3:17).
Jews
a large and strong Jewish population also very hostile toward Christians. In their bitterness, the Jews joined the pagans in hating and persecuting Christians. They slandered the Christians before the local government, making malicious accusations, thus stirring up the pagans against the Christians and inciting the authorities to persecute them.
"are not Jews"
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. (Rom. Rom. 2:28-29)
"are not Jews"
Christians were charged with being cannibals, atheists, and disloyal to the government.
Christians were charged with being canniba...
Rome didn't care if you worshipped God, as long as it had your loyalty.
Rome didn't care if you worshipped God, as long as it h...
?
Does the Devil care if you worship God?
Does he care if your loyal?
The Jews had a relationship with Rome.
Relationship between Christians and Jews grew hostile. espesically after A.D. 70 the destruction of the Jerusalem.
The Jews had a relationship with Rome.
Relationsh...
“The most striking instance [of persecution ...
“The most striking instance [of persecution by Jews] actually relates to Smyrna: the Jews gathered fuel on the Sabbath for the burning of Polycarp (Mart. Pion. 4; Cadoux, pp. 378-79).”
?
What set the Jews and the Christians apart?
Can this division exist among Christians?
Advice
Advise
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.
I am in control.
Jesus and Death fought and Christ conquered!
I am in control.
Jesus and Death fought and Chri...
10 days
Was the normal ancient expression for a relatively short period of test.
For the community of Smyrna the "ten days" represent a period of testing the faithfulness and endurance, like the ten days for Daniel and his friends
(Dan. 1:12 - 15)
Be faithful
Be faithful
unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
The phrase speaks of intensity rather than chronology.
"Christ does not mean, ‘to thy life’s end,’ contemplating life under the aspect of time; but ‘to the sharpest and worst which the enemy can inflict upon thee, even to death itself.’"
- Trench, Commentary on the Epistles to the Seven Churches in Asia, 108.
The phrase speaks of intensity rather th...
?
He did it first
Philip. 2:5 - 8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesu, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
The Crown
It is not a royal crown, but the crown of victory, the garland, given to the winner at the Olympic games, signifying the joy that comes from victory.
Promise
Rev 2:11
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says ...
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
"Shall not"
The double-negative emphasizing the impossibility of being hurt by the second death. “It is the strongest negative assertion about the future of which the Greek language is capable.”
Rev 20:6
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
Rev 21:8
Rev 21:8
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
?
What death did Jesus experience?