Teaching Elder Duke Shelley of Black Forest Chapel continues a series on Revelation. Part 10 explores further the letter to the Church at Smyrna.

1. To the Church in Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11

2. • (8) "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna
write: The first and the last, who was dead, and
has come to life, says this:

3. • John 19:39-40 Nicodemus, who had first come to
Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of
myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.
(40) So they took the body of Jesus and bound it
in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial
custom of the Jews.

4. • Matthew 2:11 After coming into the house they
saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell
to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening
their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

6. • Isaiah 44:6 "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the
first and I am the last, And there is no God besides
Me.

7. • Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest
who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but
One who has been tempted in all things as we are,
yet without sin.

8. • (9) 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but
you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say
they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan.

9. • (9) 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but
you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say
they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan.
• Revelation 3:17 'Because you say, "I am rich, and
have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,"
and you do not know that you are wretched and
miserable and poor and blind and naked,

10. • Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in
Christ,

11. • Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in
Christ,
• Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted for
Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to
suffer for His sake,

12. • Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one
outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is
outward in the flesh; (29) but he is a Jew who is
one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart,
in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not
from men but from God.

13. • Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one
outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is
outward in the flesh; (29) but he is a Jew who is
one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart,
in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not
from men but from God.
• Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the crowds,
they were filled with jealousy and began
contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were
blaspheming.

14. • (10) 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into
prison, so that you will be tested, and you will
have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until
death, and I will give you the crown of life.

15. • Disapproval

16. • Disapproval
• Ridicule

17. • Disapproval
• Ridicule
• Pressure to conform

18. • Disapproval
• Ridicule
• Pressure to conform
• Economic sanctions

19. • Disapproval
• Ridicule
• Pressure to conform
• Economic sanctions
• Alienation from
community

20. • Disapproval
• Ridicule
• Pressure to conform
• Economic sanctions
• Alienation from
community
• Loss of employment

21. • Disapproval
• Ridicule
• Pressure to conform
• Economic sanctions
• Alienation from
community
• Loss of employment
• Loss of property

22. • Disapproval • Physical abuse
• Ridicule
• Pressure to conform
• Economic sanctions
• Alienation from
community
• Loss of employment
• Loss of property

23. • Disapproval • Physical abuse
• Ridicule • Mob violence
• Pressure to conform
• Economic sanctions
• Alienation from
community
• Loss of employment
• Loss of property

24. • Disapproval • Physical abuse
• Ridicule • Mob violence
• Pressure to conform • Harassment by officials
• Economic sanctions
• Alienation from
community
• Loss of employment
• Loss of property

25. • Disapproval • Physical abuse
• Ridicule • Mob violence
• Pressure to conform • Harassment by officials
• Economic sanctions
• Alienation from
community
• Loss of employment
• Loss of property

26. • Disapproval • Physical abuse
• Ridicule • Mob violence
• Pressure to conform • Harassment by officials
• Economic sanctions • Forced labor
• Alienation from
community
• Loss of employment
• Loss of property

27. • Disapproval • Physical abuse
• Ridicule • Mob violence
• Pressure to conform • Harassment by officials
• Economic sanctions • Forced labor
• Alienation from • Imprisonment
community
• Loss of employment
• Loss of property

28. • Disapproval • Physical abuse
• Ridicule • Mob violence
• Pressure to conform • Harassment by officials
• Economic sanctions • Forced labor
• Alienation from • Imprisonment
community • Physical torture
• Loss of employment
• Loss of property

29. • Disapproval • Physical abuse
• Ridicule • Mob violence
• Pressure to conform • Harassment by officials
• Economic sanctions • Forced labor
• Alienation from • Imprisonment
community • Physical torture
• Loss of employment • Murder or execution
• Loss of property

30. • “The greatest criticism of the American church
today is that no one wants to persecute it: because
there is nothing very much to persecute it about.”
George F. MacLeod

31. • “The greatest criticism of the American church
today is that no one wants to persecute it: because
there is nothing very much to persecute it about.”
George F. MacLeod
• 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly
in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

32. • “If you have not suffered as of yet, cheer up…you
will! So if you’re not experiencing severe
persecution, you are to do three things: (1) thank
God for your religious freedom, (2) recognize that
it is abnormal for followers of Christ, and (3) make
the most of today. Memorize Scripture and
spiritually prepare for the time when we will face
persecution for our faith.” Keith Krell.

33. • 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your
adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring
lion, seeking someone to devour.

34. • James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under
trial; for once he has been approved, he will
receive the crown of life which the Lord has
promised to those who love Him.

35. • (11) 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will
not be hurt by the second death.'

36. • Revelation 20:14 Then death and Hades were
thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second
death, the lake of fire.

37. • Hebrews 12:11 All discipline for the moment
seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those
who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields
the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

38. • Hebrews 12:11 All discipline for the moment
seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those
who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields
the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken
you but such as is common to man; and God is
faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the
temptation will provide the way of escape also, so
that you will be able to endure it.

39. • 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I
will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the
power of Christ may dwell in me.

40. • 1 Peter 5:10-11 And the God of all grace, who
called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you
have suffered a little while, will himself restore
you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To
him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.