Revelqtion to the 7even - Smyrna

/ NMBC/

This week during our Revelation to the 7even series we are studying Revelation 2:8-11. Sunday, October 9 was week 3 of the series. You can see the notes below or download them here.

Pray that God will bless your time of fellowship in his Word.

  1. This weekend is Thanksgiving, what is something that you’re especially thankful for? (Then read Rev. 2:8-11.)
  2. What kind of tribulation and poverty did the church at Smyrna face (2:9)? Why does Jesus say, “I know your poverty (but you are rich)?” How can he say they are rich if they are poor?
  3. What is so wrong about saying you are a Jew when you are not (2:9b)? Why the reference to “a synagogue of Satan?” How does John 8:39-47 serve as a parallel passage?
  4. What did the future hold for the church of Smyrna (2:10)? What were they encouraged to do? What is the stated purpose in their persecution? How does such testing help us to endure? See also 1 Peter 5:8-10, James 1:2-4.
  5. The most common command in the Bible is “do not fear.” Why do you think this command is repeated so often? Where does fear have a foothold in your life?
  6. What might suffering for the gospel look like in your area? How does the gospel and example of Jesus give us the power to live without fear and endure suffering?
  7. Are you willing to be “faithful unto death?” What does the following phrase mean: “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death” (2:11)? Is the “crown of life” salvation or a reward? How does James 1:12 help to interpret this phrase?

Pray for the Holy Spirit conviction to be able to overcome fear and compromise in our lives. Pray also for joy in the promise of the gospel and the kingdom to come.