Revelation 2:8-11
Start by reading:
Revelation 2:8-11
8. “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9. “‘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.
10. 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. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11. 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.’
OPEN IT: If you could write your own epitaph, what would you have written on your tombstone?
Look at this verse: Read Revelation 2:8 (compare with Rev. 1:17-18) and answer the following questions:
Revelation 2:8
8. “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
Revelation 1:8
8. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
John 1:1-3
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2. He was in the beginning with God.
3. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
A little history…
The church at Smyrna could relate to Jesus’ identification, because the city of Smyrna ceased to exist from the seventh to the third century BC, when it experienced a kind of “resurrection” and became an ally of Rome. The designation of Jesus as eternal and the crucified and risen Lord would provide much encouragement to the believers at Smyrna in the face of their intense persecution. Even martyrdom could not end their lives; they belonged to the one who had conquered death and would escort them through death to their home in heaven.
a) Why does Jesus describe Himself as “First and Last”? What does this description tell us about Jesus?
Now look into this:
Revelation 1:17-18
17. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
18. and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Exodus 3:1-6
1. Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
2. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.
3. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”
4. When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”
5. Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
6. And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Isaiah 6:5
5. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Daniel 10:8-12
8. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.
9. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
10. And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
11. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
12. Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
When the apostle John saw the glorified Christ, he fell at His feet as though dead (Revelation 1:17). However, the Lord responded by telling Him not to fear. He identified himself as He did in verse 8 as the first and the last. Because believers are united by faith to Him, who is eternal, they too have nothing to fear.
b) What impact would the fact that the one addressing them had risen from the dead have on the church at Smyrna? Why?
2. Read Revelation 2:9-11 and answer the following questions:
9. “‘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.
10. 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. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11. 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.’
a) How can someone be poor and rich at the same time? (v. 9)
b) Consider the phrase, “synagogue of Satan.” What does this imply about this particular group of Jews? (v. 9)
c) Why would the Jewish people in Smyrna be so opposed to the Christians there?
d) How difficult would it be to follow Jesus’ admonition to not fear in the face of what was to come? (v. 10) What about Jesus’ identity (v. 8) could help in this area?
e) Do Jesus’ words (v. 10) imply that some of those He is writing to will face death for their faith? If so, how could they remain faithful during that time?
f) What challenge is given in verse 11? What assurance?
REFLECT ON IT:
1. What picture comes into your mind when you hear the word “persecution”? (check out www.persecution.com for updates on those being persecuted for their faith today)
2. How does knowing about the torture Jesus endured and triumphed over impact your ability to deal with hardships due to your faith?
3. If faced with the level of persecution the church in Smyrna endured do you think you would remain “faithful…to the point of death”? Why or why not?
4. Some have said that the church would be stronger if we had to suffer persecution? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
5. If next Sunday at church you were held at gunpoint and told “renounce Christ or die” what would you do?
6. How can we pray for you today?
Davis, Barry L.. Instant Bible Studies for Small Groups (pp. 30-32). GodSpeed Publishing. Kindle Edition.