Smyrna

Smyrna: Smurna – “myrrh”

Smyrna: an Ionian city in Asia Minor (EBD)

Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. – John 19:39 (NASB)

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.  – Matthew 2:11 (NASB)

They will bring gold and frankincense, and will bear good news of the praises of the LORD. – Isaiah 60:6 

Title (v.8) The First and The Last

“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.  – Isaiah 44:6 (NASB)

Commendation (v.9)

Tribulation: thlipsis – a “pressing together” (as of grapes), squeezing or pinching (ISBE)

Poverty: ptocheia – beggary, destitution, poverty

For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. – Hebrews 10:34 (NASB)

“You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.”…“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

– John 8:41-44 (NASB)

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

Exhortation: (v.10)

Notice: No promise of

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NASB)

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. – 2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB)

Great Reminder: This isn’t

(v.10) (Ten) Days: hemera – day; fig. a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context) – age, time, while, years

Emperor     Date                         Emperor     Date

1. Nero              54                              6. Maximin      235

2. Domitian    81                               7. Decius          249

3. Trajan          98                               8. Valerian       254

4. Hadrian     117                                9. Aurelian      270

5. Septimius 193                              10. Diocletian  284

(v.11)

He who is born once dies

He who is born twice dies

www.persecution.org

  www.persecution.com