Entitled this series “Things are not as they seem.” Revelation wants to help us see reality in light of an unseen future and a present reality seen only with the eyes of faith. This series will be based largely on Darrell Johnson’s book, Discipleship on the Edge. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

John, a prisoner on the island of Patmos, is worshipping God on Sunday. He hears a voice. He turns around to see Jesus standing among 7 lamp stands [churches.] Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

The format of these messages to each of the 7 churches. 1.Description of Jesus [related to the church] 2.Things he commends them for. 3.Things he has against them. 4.Tells them how to change and the consequences of not changing. 5.Promises if they do Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Scripture Reading Revelation 2:8-11 Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Last time we looked at the letter to Ephesus and saw that they had lost their first love. Why did they loose their first love? Why do we loose our first love? Why is it so hard to stay faithful? Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

This second message was to Smyrna -Loveliest city in Asia - “The crown/flower of Asia” -Birthplace of Homer -Present day city of Izmir, third largest city in Turkey Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

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How Jesus introduces himself in each of these messages relates directly to the church. Rev. 2:8: “These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.” Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

“These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.” Isaiah 44:6: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God beside me.” Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Smyrna considered itself “first” - Emperor worship - Rivaled Ephesus for “first” title - Stamped on their coins, “First City of Asia in Size and Beauty.” Smyrna prided itself for coming back to life - destroyed in 580 B.C. rebuilt in 290 B.C. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

“These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.” To the church in Smyrna, Jesus says, “Your lives are not bracketed by Caesar, nor by the policies of the powers that be, your lives are surrounded by me – the First & the Last.” Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

“I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” v.9 Jesus knows the afflictions Greek: thlipsis = pressure, crushing pressure Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Smyrna – emperor worship -To maintain their “First” status Jewish population also persecuted them to protect their exemption status. Property confiscated. Martyrdom Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

“I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” v. 9 In spite of this loss of property, Jesus calls them “rich.” Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Why were the Smryneans experiencing pressure? Had they done something wrong? Lost first love? Become lukewarm? Compromised the gospel? Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

No! Nothing negative is said here. They were feeling pressure because they were being faithful followers of Jesus. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Johnson: “The word Jesus uses, the word thlpsis, is a technical word in the NT. It is never used of the normal frustrations of life, of the normal trouble we all experience in a broken world. It is always used in connection with the coming of the kingdom of God. Thlipsis is the pressure experienced as the kingdom of god comes up against the kingdom of human beings in rebellion against God.” Discipleship, p.67 Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

We would like it if Jesus said next: “I know your pressure. And I am here to take it away.” But he doesn’t Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Jesus says: “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.” v.10 Not relief. More suffering! Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

This pressure is inevitable. Already in Rev. 1:9 John links three things: “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus,...” Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Suffering, Kingdom, & patient endurance go hand in hand. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

“To be ‘in Jesus’ means to partake of the kingdom of God, which means partaking of the tribulation which the in-breaking of the kingdom naturally causes and partaking of the perseverance being in the kingdom produces.” Discipleship, p.68 Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Being a citizen of the kingdom of God means that we will experience pressure. If you are a faithful disciple of Jesus, you are experiencing pressure. And it looks like that pressure will grow not decrease. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Teenagers who want to be faithful to Christ are experiencing the pressure to compromise. College students who acknowledge Jesus as Lord are feeling the pressure. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Parents who are trying to raise their children to follow Jesus feel the pressure. Workers of all types, who seek to work from kingdom principles, will experience greater pressure the more faithful they are to Jesus. Discipleship, p.68 Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

But notice that it is not just pressure from political powers or religious leaders: “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.” v.10 Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

As members of the kingdom of light we will be attacked, pressured by the kingdom of darkness. Things are not as they seem. There is more going on than our eyes can see. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

In light of this crushing pressure which will get worse and not better, Jesus says: “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 the crown of life.” v.10 Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

“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 the crown of life.” v.10 Two things to do: Do not be afraid. Be faithful. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

“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 the crown of life.” v.10 Yes, you will suffer/be pressured. But don’t be afraid. Be faithful. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Jesus concludes: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” v. 11 Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” v. 11 One commentator put it this way, “the overcomer is promised immunity against the second death.” R. Mounce, p.9 Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna

You will be the ultimate “survivor.” Immunity from the last death. The prize is not a Million dollars. The prize is eternal life. Smyrna Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Smyrna Keeping Faith Under Pressure Smyrna