Sunday morning - The Persecuted church

For the next two months we are looking at the seven churches in Revelation. This morning I spoke on The Smyrna Church – The Suffering church, the text taken from Rev 2:8.

Why are there poor in the world?

1. Some are poor by Choice.
2. Because of Calamity.
3. Because of Sin and Laziness
4. Because of Oppression from the rich and powerful
5. Some because of their faith

There was no criticism for this church. Two noteworthy comments from Jesus, who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.

1. They were extremely poor
2. There were persecuted to the point of death

Why?

Because the refused to compromise their believe in the Lord Jesus and refused to bow to Caesar. They paid it with their lives.

But Jesus did not remove their suffering, instead he encouraged them to "Be Faithful"

Rev 2:11 - Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Who is this victories person: - One who is faithful in poverty and even in pain and suffering