The Story of the Church of Martyrs

ME:

Thank you Kim, for bringing God’s Word this morning.

*A tree or plant that is destroyed, spreads seeds that multiply

*Likewise the blood of Christians spreads like a seed that multiplies

*Tertullion quote

14 weeks ago, we were in Rev. 2:1-7,

The Story of the Church that Lost it’s Love.

Which we saw was addressed to the church in Ephesus.

Thus, we detoured from Revelation to study our Family Letter,

Addressing the Church that Lost It’s Love,

Studying the letter to the Ephesians.

This morning we return back to where we left off in Revelation,

In Revelation 2:8-11,

The Story of the Church of the Martyrs.

We will begin in vs. 8, looking at Christ’s powerful Words.

Followed with Christ’s Encouraging Awareness in vs. 9.

Then, we will focus the end of our time on Christ’s Comforting Command in vs. 10-11.

WE: Christ’s Powerful Words (vs. 8)

Let us begin by looking at Christ’s Powerful Words,

Beginning in Rev. 2:8;

Revelation 2:8 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

Just to refresh our memories from 14 weeks ago,

We are looking at the second of seven letters to seven churches.

These letters ultimately come from Christ,

Transmitted through His servant John,

Whom He has revealed Himself to.

Each of these churches were literal historical local churches,

But they also serve as types of different local churches that exist throughout history.

And each of these letters follow a general structure.

Begin with an address to the angel of the local church.

Followed with an identification of Christ that alludes back to the revelation of His majesty in Rev. 1:12-20.

Then Jesus claims some knowledge He has about the church.

Followed by an evaluation of the church,

Either a commendation or a rebuke.

Next, Jesus gives some sort of promise,

Including the phrase, “to the one who conquers.”

Which is either preceded by or followed by the call to listen,

Stated as, “He who has an ear, let him hear.”

We see this structure in our letter this morning.

GOD: Christ’s Encouraging Awareness (vs. 9)

YOU: Christ’s Comforting Command (vs. 10-11)

WE:

*The church that conquers death gets the crown of life.