Sermon Tone Analysis

Smyrna was a seaport city about 35 miles north of Ephesus.

It has been described as the most beautiful of the seven cities. Today it is called Izmir, Turkey.

Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts.

Presumably, this church was founded during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus.“The

Greek word translated ‘Smyrna’ was used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew word for myrrh, a resinous substance used as a perfume for the living () and the dead ().

Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna.

Like myrrh, produced by crushing a fragrant plant, the church at Smyrna, crushed by persecution, gave off a fragrant aroma of faithfulness to God.”

“The Greek word translated ‘Smyrna’ was used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew word for myrrh, a resinous substance used as a perfume for the living () and the dead ().

Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna.

Like myrrh, produced by crushing a fragrant plant, the church at Smyrna, crushed by persecution, gave off a fragrant aroma of faithfulness to God.”

This was a message meant to encourage them in light of what they were facing presently and were about to face in the future.

The church at Smyrna was to undergo some intense persecution and tribulation.

Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death.

Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church.

Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously.

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, 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.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, 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.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Introduction: Out of the seven churches of Asia, our Lord had words of condemnation and complaint against every one, except this one.

In His letter to the church at Smyrna there was nothing but commendation and encouragement.

The church at Smyrna faced three things that brought them great sorrow; tribulation[which included the fear of death], poverty, and the “blasphemy”.

Many Christians were killed and tortured in Smyrna during this time.

The church at Smyrna was under great persecution.

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, 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.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Concluding His message to the church of Smyrna, Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death” ().

Similar to His concluding words to Ephesus, Jesus again advises us to heed all of the messages given to the churches in order to receive eternal life.

This poem could have very well written about Polycarp.

Polycarp was the Pastor at Smyrna until his death by the Romans and Jews.

The proconsul gave to Polycarp the choice, If you will say ‘Caesar is Lord,’ you can have your life.

But if you say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ it means death."

I saw the martyr at the stake,

The flames could not his courage shake

Nor death his soul appall.

I asked him whence his strength was given.

He looked triumphantly to heaven

Polycarp was one of the martyrs.

Polycarp was the Pastor at Smyrna until his death by the Romans and Jews.

The proconsul gave to Polycarp the choice, If you will say ‘Caesar is Lord,’ you can have your life.

But if you say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ it means death."

And said, "Christ is all."

This poem could have very well written about Polycarp.

Polycarp was the Pastor at Smyrna until his death by the Romans and Jews.

The proconsul gave to Polycarp the choice, If you will say ‘Caesar is Lord,’ you can have your life.

But if you say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ it means death."

Polycarp refused to say, "Caesar is Lord."

They brought him to the stadium, the great hippodrome, and the proconsul urged him there, saying, "Swear and I will set thee at liberty.

Reproach Christ."

And Polycarp answered – this is one of the famous sayings and answers in all history – "Eighty and six years have I served Him.

And He never did me harm.

How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"

I found a poem that could have been written about him.

“Christ is All” Poem by W.A. Williams

I saw the martyr at the stake,

The flames could not his courage shake

Nor death his soul appall.

I asked him whence his strength was given.

Many Christians were killed and tortured in Smyrna during this time.

The church at Smyrna was under great persecution.

He looked triumphantly to heaven

And said, "Christ is all."

*****As we look at these verses, we see that Jesus begins by saying who the letter is to and introducing Himself.....

*****As we look at these verses, we see that Jesus begins by saying who the letter is to and introducing Himself.....

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

I. “the first and the last, which was dead, and is

alive; “

A. He is saying that He is God in the Flesh and

He suffered and died and rose to Life.

He knows what suffering is.

He died a terrible death on the cross for us.

2. The risen Christ has conquered the worst that

life can do.

He triumphed over pain, the cross,

the devil, sin, and death.

He defeated all the

enemies and He offers victory and the

conqueror’s crown.

3.

No matter what experiences God’s people

may have, Lord identifies with them.

3.

No matter what experiences God’s people

may have, Lord identifies with them.

No matter what experiences God’s people may have, their Lord identifies with them.

*****Jesus makes the church aware of who the letter is coming from.

It comes from an “All Knowing God” giving assurance that He has not forgotten them and He is aware of what they are going thru....

*****Jesus makes the church aware of who the letter is coming from.

It comes from an “All Knowing God” giving assurance that He has not forgotten them and He is aware of what they are going thru....

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, 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.

II.

Jesus knows:

**In verses 9-10.....

II.

Jesus knows and gives assurance:

A. What they have done.

[works]

1. Jesus knows their works.

He also knows ours.