Today's Sermon
“Message to the Seven Churches”
Pastor Kim Wenzel
The Message to the Church in Smyrna
"Second Church Message"
Revelation 2:8-11 NLT
8 “Write
this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message
from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now
alive:
9 “I
know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the
blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are
not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. 10 Don’t
be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of
you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you
remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of
life.
11 “Anyone
with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is
saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the
second death.
Commentary "Wesley's Notes On The Bible
2:10 The first and last words of this verse are particularly directed to
the minister; whence we may gather, that his suffering and the
affliction of the church were at the same time, and of the same
continuance. Fear none of those things which thou art about to suffer -
Probably by means of the false Jews. Behold - This intimates the
nearness of the affliction. Perhaps the ten days began on the very day
that the Revelation was read at Smyrna, or at least very soon after. The
devil - Who sets all persecutors to work; and these more particularly.
Is about to cast some of you - Christians at Smyrna; where, in the first
ages, the blood of many martyrs was shed. Into prison, that ye may be
tried - To your unspeakable advantage, 1Pet 4:12,14. And ye shall have
affliction - Either in your own persons, or by sympathizing with your
brethren. Ten days - (Literally taken) in the end of Domitian's
persecution, which was stopped by the edict of the emperor Nerva. Be
thou faithful - Our Lord does not say, till I come, as in the other
letters, but unto death - Signifying that the angel of this church
should quickly after seal his testimony with his blood; fifty years
before the martyrdom of Polycarp, for whom some have mistaken him. And I
will give thee the crown of life - The peculiar reward of them who are
faithful unto death.
Today's Verse
1 Peter 2:24-25
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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