Smyrna- “the ornament of Asia”
staunch ally of Rome

description of Jesus-
“the First and the Last”
the One who died and came to life again.

Strengths of the church
in afflictions and poverty, yet they are rich!
affliction (thlipsin)- pressure or crushing
poverty (ptoxin) - “to cower like a beggar”

Those who persecute Christians belong to Satan's synagogue.
Spiritual wealth depends on an attitude and a relationship with God.

Rebuke
There is nothing bad that Jesus has to say about this church.

Exhortation
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.”
This doesn't mean that God ceases to maintain control.
The suffering was temporary and had an end.

Promise
“be faithful and I will give you the crown of life.”

Victor's crowns
1. Crown of Life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10)
2. Crown of Righteousness (II Timothy 4:7-8)
3. Crown of Glory (I Peter 5:4)

Jesus' message to us
1. I know what you are suffering.
2. You do not have to be afraid.
​3. I will give you a reward.

Pattern for the letters to churches
1. description of Christ
2. commendation
3. rebuke
4. exhortation
5. promise

Ephesus
a great commercial center as well as a religious center

Description of Christ
one who holds the seven stars and lampstands
stars = messengers to the churches
lampstands = churches themselves

Strengths
1. deeds, hard work and perseverance
2. did not tolerate wicked men and false prophets

Weaknesses
forsaken your first love (not talking about chronology, but preeminence)

All they were doing was not out of their love for God, but for some other reason.

Exhortation
1. Remember-what it was like when you first found the Lord
2. Repent -go back to that simplicity of heart and focus

Promise
​the right to eat from the tree of life

Theories that deny Christ's resurrection
1. Swoon Theory- Jesus never really died on the cross.
2. Fraud Theory – Jesus' disciples stole the body and fabricated the story.
3. Hallucination Theory – Those who claimed to see the risen Lord only imagined it.
4. Spirit Theory – Jesus did rise from the dead, but only in spirit form.

Myths that the true resurrection dispels
Myth #1: There is little or no cost to Christianity.
Truth: Salvation is free, but it isn't cheap.

Myth #2: People are basically good and surely a loving God will accept everyone into His heaven.
Truth: We are sinners, fallen from grace, lost and in need of a Savior.

Myth #3: Some believe it would be impossible to save them.
Truth: If you believe Jesus rose from the dead, that means your sins can be forgiven.

Myth #4: Jesus was just a great spiritual leader.
Truth: Jesus was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:4)

Jesus knew the conditions surrounding the people, and he knew the condition of the people's heart.

Jesus did everything the people didn't want, and so the cheering stopped.

Why?
1. They did not recognize His purpose. (44)
God's “coming to you”- episkeptoamai- to relieve.
They had their eyes on their immediate circumstances instead of their current condition.


2. They refused to accept His terms. (42)
The people wanted peace through conflict.
Jesus offered peace in the midst of conflict.


3. They did not realize it would bring judgment. (42-44)
70 AD- over one million Jews were killed. The temple was destroyed.

There is a “too late” in dealing with God.
Jesus was faithful to you and me, even when the cheering stopped.