The (omniscient and omnipresent) risen Christ knew of the ___________ that the church of Smyrna was enduring at the hands of wicked men.
The Greek word tribulation (thilipsis) denotes __________ trouble and hardship, a burden that crushes.
The church of Smyrna was a _________ church. It was a dangerous thing to be a Christian in Smyrna. They were hated by the Roman government and hated by the _____.
Thus Jesus says to the believers at Smyrna, I know your poverty (in an ___________ sense) but you are rich (in a ___________ sense).
There is a _________ in spiritual things which has nothing to do with this world’s material wealth and of which the __________ knows nothing about.
Jesus knows something about ________.
2 Corinthians 8:9for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich,yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
How rich are we made in Christ?
Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. Romans 8:17
Not only were the believers at Smyrna being persecuted by the government, but they were also being _________ by unbelieving Jews, enlisted by ______ to do his will.
These Jews may have been physical descendants of ___________, but they were not _____ Jews by Paul’s definition in Romans 2:28-29
A true Jew is one ___________, and true circumcision is that of the heart by the ______.
By application, one is not a Christian ___________ only, nor is baptism merely outward and physical. No, a true Christian is one inwardly; and baptism is that of the ______ by the Spirit.
CHRIST’S EXHORTATION 2:10a
Jesus exhorts the believers at Smyrna not to be _______ of what they are about to suffer. He would give them ________ to endure it. John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 12:9
The believers at Smyrna are not to be afraid, though suffering is certain. Some will be imprisoned awaiting ______, and this is ascribed to the ______.
But God is supreme and sovereign. Even through the ______ and evil men He works His ___________.
Persecution and hardship of the Smyrna believers would test their character and the genuineness of their ______. 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-17
Jesus says to the Smyrna believers: you will have tribulation for ten days. The number ten in biblical numerology signifies ___________. Thus the number ten may well point to the ___________ of their suffering.
Satan’s major assault on the local church would be _______, but brief. ____, not Satan, has the last word in this matter.
CHRIST’S PROMISE 2:10b-11
Those who prove the genuineness of their faith by remaining faithful to the Lord until death will receive as their reward the crown of _____.
In the Greek there is an article with life (tēs zōēs) and none with death (thanatou). It is “the” life, _________ life that is in view here.
The believer who remains faithful even when it means death will receive the trophy of _________. His crown is “eternal life.”
God will see to it that all His children __________ to the end for “He who began a good work in you will perfect it; _______ it, until Christ comes again.” Philippians 1:6
Though persecuted believers may suffer the first, __________ death, they will never experience the second, _________ death.
The Greek word for “not” (ou mē) is an emphatic double negative. The overcomer certainly and emphatically will not be _______ by the _______ death. This would be a great comfort for those about to face martyrdom.
Even though believers may be put to death, (the first death, physical death), they are not going to be hurt by the second death; that is, will not be cast, _____ and _____, into the eternal lake of fire at Christ’s second coming, Revelation 20:14.
How many people do you know that in preparing for a two week vacation will purchase booklets and maps to find out all they can about their destination? And yet I wonder how many of them are preparing for their final ___________? Are you?
