Never Alone

Remarkable book of Revelation. This weird and wonderful message to the seven churches in Asia Minor that full of images and symbols that have in some ways forces us to admit that we don’t know as much as we think we know.

Most of our understanding of the book of Revelation come someone else’s explanation of what they think it means.

A-millennialism

Postmillennialism

Historic Premillennialism

Dispensationalism (Left Behind)

Most of us, have been heavily influenced by the dispensationalism view to the point that as a young believer, I would have told you it was the only way to view eschatology.

I can’t tell you what to believe, but I can tell you that one of the unfortunate side effects of the dispensationalist view of the end times is that it encourages us to read the book of Revelation with the bible in one and and the newspaper in the other.

Which causes us to miss much of the encouragement we would otherwise get from God’s Word.

As we go through this book, I will be faithful to share the different views of the book as well as my opinion, but here is what you need to keep in mind.

This letter was written to seven specific churches in a specific period of time for a specific purpose. We are given the privilege of benefiting from reading it, but it was written to them, so in order to understand what it says, we must view it from their perspective.

Message to the Churches:

Ephesus: Six Flags over Jesus. They did the right things, they were diligent, but Church had become a job. They lost sight of the why.

Think about how most Americans view Christmas….

Its about gifts, family, Santa Clause, the children. Its about the first advent of Christ Jesus and the redemption of mankind to God by what He would accomplish in a sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection.

We tend to lose sight of that…….

Similarly, Revelation tells us about the second advent of Christ and the Kingdom of God on earth. Jesus wins. As we continue this study, let us not lose sight of that.

The Persecuted Church

Revelation 2:8–11 NASB95

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say 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 cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until 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. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

SMYRNA was a port city under Roman command. Today called Izmir, it is Turkey’s third largest city. The name wasn’t changed until 1930 after the establishment of the Turkish Republic.

This message was only one of the two messages to the churches that didn’t come with an admonishment, but only encouragement.

Look how Jesus introduces Himself:

The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life…..

In the message to Ephesus His introduction made reference to His authority, but here it makes reference to His endurance. First/Last.

There never was a time that he was not, and there never will be.

But also about His capacity for empathy. Who was dead, and has come to life……

By His introduction, He is telling them that there is nothing that you can go through, that I haven’t been through first.

Soul on Fire: John O’leary Story. St. Louis guy who at the age of 9 decided to play with gas and matches and burned his parents house don’t, received burns over 100% of his body and was given a 1% chance of survival.

For 5 month he was in the hospital and endured excruciating treatments to try and save his life. He lost an ear, all his fingers, is covered in scars. He grew up with the pain of his injuries as well as the stares, and comments from people around him.

In spite of all that he endured, he graduated college, became a general contractor and later a motivational speaker. and the one thing that you cant help but think about after hearing his story, is, “What’s your excuse?”

I Know:

All the messages:

Tribulation:

The word here is the idea of a crushing pressure.

GORUCK LOG STORY.

They couldn’t get out from under it……

Poverty:

One of the hardest things about being poor is seeing other people that aren’t. But inspite of that Jesus tells them, (But you are rich)

Dancing man of Jonesboro: OZZY NEIL ROSE.

The name of the movie, Soul on Fire is from O’leary’s favorite quote, :

"The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire." - Ferdinand Foch

Blasphemy:

Revelation 2:9 NASB95

9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Stick and Stones was a lie!

Are not Jews: What is Jesus saying?

Romans 11 talks about the Olive Tree representing covenant fellowship with God through Christ. Those in that fellowship are represented by the branches……But that we, as not Jews, were grafted in, but the natural branches (the Jews were broken off.)

This gives weight to the argument that we are spiritual Israel.

SO Those that were blaspheming the church were ethnically Jewish, Jesus says they are not Jews, but a synagogue of Satan.

Blasphemy: Cannibals: Body and Blood:

Hated family: Called each other Brother and Sister.

Suffering to come:

Revelation 2:10 NASB95

10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Before you go crazy trying to figure out the 10 days. It symbolizes a short period of time.

Thrown into prison……

Martyred.

Polycarp: 155 AD.

CROWN: Smyna’s symbol was the Crown.

Architecture. Look like a crown.

Crown of Asia

Crowns awarded for games.

Crowns worn at festivals.

CROWN OF LIFE:

Philippians 1:21 NASB95

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Revelation 2:11 NASB95

11 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

Be faithful until death/Overcome…….

Philippians 4:13 NASB95

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.