Summary Revelation 2:8-11
Jesus addresses the church in Smyrna. He described himself as the First and the Last and as the one who died and was risen again. He assures the church that he knows about their affictions, poverty, and those who slander them. He says they will suffer, but to not be afraid. If they are faithful, they will receive the victor’s crown.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 4: Revelation 2:8-11
10) He described himself as the First and the Last and as the one who died and was risen again. He assures the church that he knows about their affictions, poverty, and those who slander them. Jesus encouraged the people by telling them that they are rich, but if they are faithful, they will receive the victor’s crown. He challenged them to be faithful, even to the point of death and to not be afraid of the suffering ahead.
Jesus’ exhortation or encouragement is, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”
11) The believers were rich because they had Jesus! They would not die; they would live forever. They are spiritually rich.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 4: Revelation 2:8-11
I love the similarities of Jesus’ introduction, as well as how he encourages believers. Isn’t it comforting that Jesus KNOWS us and our pain? Great stuff!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 4, Day 4: Revelation 2:8-11
Smyrna is another city controlled by the Romans. It was quite wealthy, but almost everyone there was pagan and practiced emperor worship. By this time, emperor worship was required by the Romans, and many cities (including Smyrna) has temples dedicated to the emperors.
Jesus describes himself as the First and the Last, which only God can do (Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, and 48:12.) Jesus used this terminology when he first appeared to John (Revelation 1:11, 1:17).
He chose to state his resurrection, as he is about to encourage the Christians in Smyrna that although they may face persecution and death, there is home and life after death. Again, Jesus has used this before with John (Revelation 1:18).
Jesus knows the works of the church (like he did with the Ephesians). He also knows their suffering and poverty. Bible scholars speculate that the Christians were poor despite the city’s great wealth because they were being persecuted for their faith.
All of us are rich because we have Jesus!
The Christians were afraid. Jesus tells them their suffering is from the devil, but it is limited to 10 days (Bible scholars debate the actual meaning of 10 days. Some think it is a figurative 10 days. Some think it refers to the reign of 10 Roman emperors. Others say 10 days was an expression used back then for a short time.)
If you were imprisoned, you would most likely be executed.
The attack was to test the Christians according to God’s purpose for their lives. Remember, we suffer to become more like Jesus (1 Peter 1:6-7 Romans 8:17)
Fun Fact: Smyrna is the only church out of the 7 not to have anything bad spoken about them from Jesus. This church is also the only one still surviving to this day.
Remember, crowns were made of leaves and flowers in ancient Rome and given as rewards for contests. Roman emperors wore crowns of laurel. Therefore, receiving the crown of life/victor’s crown was magnificent, indeed!
Jesus tells the church at Smyrna to hear like he told the church at Ephesus.
Polycarp was from Smyrna. He was a great Christian who was martyred. You can read his story HERE.
Those who overcome and stay true to their faith shall never face the second death, which is the final condemnation by Jesus for eternal hell (Revelation 20:14 and 21:8). Jesus conquered death once and for all.
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