REVELATION 2:1-7 YOUR FIRST LOVE THE FIRST OF THE - “7 letters to the 7 Churches”

The 7 Churches of Revelation

1. Ephesus –The Loveless Church2. Smyrna – The Lasting Church 3. Pergamum – The Lenient Church4. Thyatira – The Licentious Church5. Sardis – The Lifeless Church6. Philadelphia – The Loved Church 7. Laodicea – The Lukewarm Church

THE THREE COMMON ELEMENTS OF THE LETTERS

1. Commendation - A recounting of the “good things.”

2. Condemnation – A listing of the “bad things.”/NOTE – Smyrna has NO CONDEMNATION!

3. Challenge/Charge – A word of instruction or warning.

Read Text: Revelation 2:8-11

SMYRNA – THE “LASTING” CHURCH

I. THE COMMENDATIONS “ I KNOW…”1. Works -

2. Tribulation /Poverty-

3. Enduring the slander of “brothers” - (Claiming to be “Jews,” but of the Synagogue of Satan.)

II. THE CHALLENGE A "TEN DAY" suffering Jesus - "in this world you will have tribulation" (John 15:18) (John 16:33 ) "The Devil will put…" - Since Jesus is telling - He is in control! (Remember Job? Satan could do NOTHING without God's say-so)"Some of you in prison" (not ALL - the others were to minister and continue the gospel in spite of…) "To test you" - life is a continual refining and testing of our faith… (How are YOU doing - so far?) (James 1:2-4) "For 10 days" (there is an end…a short time…a fixed time)

III. THE CHARGE

Be FAITHFUL – even unto the… POINT OF DEATH!