Do not be Afraid, Be Faithful!

Rev 2:8-11 (NIV)

· Smyrna = myrrh, Two hundred thousand people, Beauty of Asia, City of Life and strength, 35 miles from Ephesus

· 195 BC built a temple Goddess of Rome 160 years before the Plax Romania. By 26AD they built a temple to Emperor Tiberius. 20,000 seat theater.

· Golden Street a street of temples. Temple of Sebelie, Temple of Apollo, Temple to Aesculapius, Temple of Zeus

· 155 BC Polycarp burned at the Stake. “86 years I have served him and he has done me no wrong, how can I blaspheme my king, bring on the flames!”

· Book written in 90AD. 90- 155= 21 Polycarp must have been a young pastor between 21 and 30.

· The church was so affected by Polycarp’s testimony at death that Rome had to slaughter another 1,500 Christians, later 800 more till the blood flowed down Mount Pegas!

Rev 2:8-11 (NIV)

⁸ "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: (Mat 2:11, John 19:39-40, Isa. 53:4-5) These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. (John 11:25-26, Luke 23:39-43, Rom. 8:35-39)

⁹ 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. (Rev. 3:17-18, Acts 26:9-11, Rev. 3:9, John 8:42-44, Romans 2:28-29)

¹⁰ 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. (Eph. 2:1-2, Eph. 6:12-13, 1Peter 5:8-11, 2Tim. 4:7-8, 1Peter 5:4, James 1:12-15, Rev. 12:11, Luke 21:12-19, Acts 7:55-60)

¹¹ 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. (1John 4:2-4, 1John 5:3-5, John 16:33, Mat. 16:17-18, Rev. 20:14-15, Rev. 20:6, Rev. 21:7-8)