Dr Tom Hover
April 14, 2024
Revelation 2:8-11 / Revelation 2:12-17
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA / THE WORLDLY CHURCH: THE CHURCH AT PERGAMOS
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA
Text: Revelation 2:8-11
Introduction: Note the pastors of the churches below:
1) Ephesus - Paul, Timothy, and John were the pastors.
2) Smyrna - Polycarp was a pastor. Revelation 2: 8 Revelation 2:9-11
I. THE TRIBULATION OF THE CHURCH Revelation 2:10-11
A. The Tribulation of Persecution
They faced the tribulation of persecution. This word tribulation that we see here comes from a Greek word, but it's not the ordinary word for tribulation. It's the word thlipsis, and it literally means, "to be crushed."
There are three ways I want us to look at the persecution that this church faced:
1. From the Human Viewpoint, it is Misery. Verse 10: "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer" (Revelation 2:10).
2. From the Satanic Viewpoint, it is Mystery. Verse 10: "Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison" (Revelation 2:10).
3. From the Divine Viewpoint, it is Ministry. Revelation 2:10 “that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. “It uses the term day to mean "a period of time." When the Bible says here that, "You shall have tribulation 10 days," it means, there are going to be 10 definite periods of tribulation.
Note: There were 10 Roman emperors, and each one of these Roman emperors came and had a definite time of tribulation and persecution against these early Christians.
B. The Tribulation of Poverty Revelation 2:9 "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty."
C. The Tribulation of Profanity Revelation 2:9 “and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” II Timothy 3:12, Matthew 5:11-12
II. THE TREASURE OF THE CHURCH Revelation 2:9 “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)”, I Timothy 6:5-7,
Deuteronomy 8:18
III. THE TRIUMPH OF THE CHURCH Revelation 2:10-11 Example: Polycarp
Matthew 25:21 The triumph of the church: "Be thou faithful unto death"—"unto death"—"and [I'll] give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10)
Conclusion: Every child of God should have a Ministry in the local Church and a Mission in the World. Matthew 24: 20-25, Isaiah 26:19-2, Matthew 24:29-31
PM SERVICE
THE WORLDLY CHURCH: THE CHURCH AT PERGAMOS
Text: Revelation 2:12-17
I. A WORD OF COMMENDATION Revelation 2:13
A. They were Loyal to the Lord's Person.
Revelation 2:13 “and thou holdest fast my name,”
1. Power is in the Name of Jesus
2. Salvation is in the Name of Jesus Acts 4:12
3. Blessing is in the Name of Jesus Matthew 18:20
4. Prayer Answered is in the Name of Jesus John 16:24
5. Authority is in the Name of Jesus Acts 3:6,4:17-21
B. They were Loyal to the Lord's Precepts
Revelation 2:13 “and hast not denied my faith”
II. A WORD OF CORRECTION Revelation 2:14-15
A. The Doctrine of Balaam
B. The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans Revelation 2:15, Matthew 23:9-11 They had corrupted the Body by Balaamism, and they had corrupted the head by Nicolaitanism.
III. A WORD OF COUNSEL Revelation 2:16
IV. A WORD OF COMFORT Revelation 2:17
A. Infinite Resources "I will give to him to eat of the hidden manna."
B. Instant Reception "I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written" (Revelation 2:17)
C. Intimate Revelation "And on that stone a name written that no man knows, saving he that receives it" (Revelation 2:17)
Conclusion: Do you want to be an overcomer?
