TEXT: Revelation 2:8-11
Jesus concludes this letter with a serious admonition - "Be faithful unto death"
Persecution usually clears out the true and the false!
The Caesar cult "worshipping him as Lord" became big during Smyrna - failure to recite those words resulted in death
Jesus promises the martyrs a "crown of life" (James 1:2, 1 Peter 5:4)
The more stronger our faith becomes the stronger our walk with God becomes - because of HIS grace
Smyrna was poor materially - she was rich spirituality in Christ
Laodicea was rich materially - she was poor spirituality in Christ
The church flourishes during tribulation, it suffers during times of persecution
FAITHFUL - faithfulness is the chief virtue of all covenant people! We either deny or embrace our king during tribulation!
The crown of life is for the martyrs!
B. The Overcomer and The Spirit
11. The Holy Spirit has spoken to the church of every time in history!
12. To Smryna - "be faithful unto death" - same tonight!
13. The second death refers to Revelation 21:8 - the lake of fire where all the unsaved will be banished forever
14. The promise to escape this is to the Overcomer!
15. Faith IS the victory - faith in the ONE walking among the candlesticks!
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