Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
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Intro: The Destination of the Letter
RECAP:
Rev1: John’s vision of Jesus.
Let to Eph… Re-ignite first love (simple trust in X, independent from works)!
TODAY: Smyrna.
Smyrna was an Outreach from Ephesus
1/2 nothing negative to say about it
Major export - Myrrh (gets its name)
City that had died, and lives again
“The first City of Asia,” “The Glory of Asia;” known for the “The Crown” hill
Revelation 2:8-11 ““To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!
I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”
Re: vv.8… “These are the words of...”
NET "This is the solemn pronouncement of" || oT: "Thus saith the LORD."
// LXX: tade legei = ~350x
Declaration of the very Words of the LORD.
The Diagnosis of their Suffering
Pressure
vv.9a “Know your affliction...”
“Affliction” = θλῖψις [thlipsis] - a pressing together, pressing, pressure, tribulation/trouble
Considered Disloyal to Rome
Like Ephesus, were plagued with pressure to call Caesar Lord.
FLSB: "It was the home of a temple to the Roman emperor Tiberius and was a center of the Roman imperial religion."
Poverty
vv.9b “Your poverty...”
Robbed of money, pushed out of the city, not welcome in the agora, pariah in the market
“When cities had large concentrations of artisans and craftsmen, trade guilds or unions were established.
These guilds often required their members to participate in certain pagan activities.
The believers’ unwillingness to participate in these activities resulted in exclusion from the guilds and financial hardship.”
- FLSB
Starving to death for your faith…
Outside of the potential richness of the big city, the Xians were struggling.
Persecution
vv.9c “slander.... [by] jews [who] are not”
False Jews: “synagogue of satan” &, of course, Romans
“Satan” = opposer; supreme opposer - against everything that is good, everything that is GOD’s good order/plan.
Synagogue was a gathering place for the teaching of Torah (ways of YHWH, God)… flipped!
Gathering to oppose Him!
Not only facing GENTILE, but JEWISH persec., too.
Most common sticking pt./divide in early church.
See: Saul/Paul
“about to suffer.... 10 days”; [θλῖψις]
Yet… unlike Eph; X has NOTHING neg. to say!!
Had eyes on the promise!
Eyes on first love - Jesus.
In letter, X makes these promises of His supremacy…
Reminder for us!
True today…
Jesus Reigns Supreme!
Christ’s Reputation was Better than Rome’s
vv.8 "First & the Last… who died & rose again”
[Died & rose] Same thing Smyrna known for.
However, human effort and wealth source of their ‘resur’.
X’s death and resurrection an eternal promise!
Not just of his availability (still around), but for THEIR future as well!
Promised SAME kind of resurrection.
[First and Last] Reputation of Smyrna was nothing compared to Christ
Jesus was the one who was ALWAYS there.
Well before Smy was there, Christ/logos IS. // After Smy will be gone, Christ/logos IS.
Christ’s Recognition was Better than Rome’s
“I Know…” - He’s been there
Once again, X is THERE with them, in midst of lampstand.
While Rome overlooked (championed) church’s thlipsis, X knows (initimate, close, involved) what they’re going thru…
Not only is X present NOW in suffering (YOURS), he has Been-There-Done-That…
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Jesus can relate.
The Godhead can relate to your migrane, betrayal, sorrow, anxiety, overwhelmedness… And he feels for us in our frailty; promises reward —>
Christ’s Riches were Better than Rome’s
“You are rich!”
(In a spiritual sense)
Apocalypse, uncovering…
Reality all around them: poor, needy, downtrodden
X’s good news: Spiritually wealthy, communally wealthy, have much reward!
Matthew 6:19-21 ““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Any needs they have will be taken care of.
(not nec.
‘wants’…)
Christ’s Reckoning of Time was Better than Rome’s
“about to suffer.... 10 days”; [θλῖψις]
NOT literal 10 days… but has end date.
finite!
#10, perfect number - used of finality
Time is in God’s hands
Suffering may seem like an eternity, but it’s small in comparison with the might of eternity
There is an end!
It is only temporary
NOTICE… didn’t promise deliverance.
Actually promised or foretold pers.
[Death was deliverance!]
Let that mess w.
Am. theology of comfort!
Christ’s Offered Rewards were Better than Rome’s
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