February 9, 2025
Evening Service

Revelation 2:8  "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

         We start out this portion of Revelation with a couple of names with which we refer to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. The First and the Last and He who was dead and came to life! Both of these names are referred to in chapter one.

Revelation 1:17  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 

Revelation 1:18  I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

         John fell at the feet of Christ as if he were dead. The glory of Jesus in His kingdom was just overwhelming for John. Even though John had spent time with Jesus on Earth in his earthly body, the glory of Jesus in Heaven was over-powering and left John feeble. However, Jesus did not leave John in his feebleness; He laid His right hand on John and told him not to be afraid, and said who He was. Jesus told John that He was dead and is now alive forevermore. In addition to this, Jesus has the keys over Hades and over Death. When Jesus was crucified on the cross and was resurrected on the third day, He did not allow death the sting. After His resurrection, He holds the keys to Hades. Jesus will sit in Judgment over the whole creation of man. There is not one man on this earth currently that can enter into Heaven on his own merit. No not one! We must admit we are sinners and have no way to reconcile ourselves to God the Father; our only path to reconciliation is through Jesus. He paid the way for us and He paved the way for us. Christ Jesus is our path to eternal life with Him; no other way will allow you to enter into His kingdom except for His blood atonement.              

Revelation 2:9  "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

         Jesus tells the church that He is aware of the churches works, poverty, and tribulations. He goes on to say that even with all the misfortunes, the church is actually rich! Jesus says that He knows of the blasphemy of those who pretend to be Jewish and yet they are not! Living out lies and pretending to be something that we are not is being true to whom we are. The bible says that Jesus refers to them as a synagogue of Satan. We know that bearing false witness is a commandment and when these people pretend about their faith, they are transgressing this commandment. 

Revelation 2:10  Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

         Jesus tells the fellowship at Smyrna not to fear the things which they are about to suffer. He tells them that some of them will end up going to prison and will be tested. They will suffer tribulations, but it will last for a period of ten days. He tells the church at Smyrna to remain faithful even to the point of death and Jesus will give them the crown of life! This message to the church at Smyrna is similar to the message Jesus gave the disciples. He tells us to find Peace in Him! He tells us the world is full of tribulations and to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world!

John 16:33  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Revelation 2:11  "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." '

          In this last verse, The Holy Spirit says to the churches, “He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. In the Bible, the second death refers to eternal separation from God. The first death is the death of the body we now live in and operate daily in the flesh. The bible does say that not everyone will be suffering the first death.

1^st Thessalonians 4:16  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

1^st Thessalonians 4:17  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

On the day our Father in Heaven decides today is the day that Jesus will return to earth, we will find these previous two verses be carried out just as they are written. The way to avoid the second death is to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, put your faith in Him and walk daily in the ways of the Lord. The Lord wants to forgive everyone from their sins, but God left the action of repenting and believing up to us to express our faith. The path to redemption is a narrow path and few enter it, wide is the path to destruction and many will find their way to it. This is the deal of a lifetime; Jesus did all the work on Calvary years ago. He only asks that we believe He was the Son of God paying our sin debt on the cross, because we are not worthy to atone for our own sins. The sinless Lamb of God paid our debt because He loves us and does not want us to perish.