Letter to the Church of Smyrna

1. The book of Revelation contains seven letters addressed to seven different churches. The second one is the church of Smyrna, a Greek name which means:
   «Bitter when tested».
   «Fool when zealous».
   «Sweet-smelling when crushed».
   «Corrupt when powerful».

2. In the letter to the church of Smyrna, in the book of Revelation, Jesus is portrayed as follows: «These things says the and the , who was , and came to .» This message of hope is especially well adapted to the local church of Smyrna, which was the scene of violent persecutions against the Christians.

3. One of the most famous martyrs of the local church of Smyrna had been the head minister of this church for more than 40 years. He was condemned to the stake in A.D. 155. What was his name?
   Polycarp.
   Cyprian.
   Ignatius.
   Hippolytus.

4. Besides their local application, the seven letters also have a prophetic application, describing the seven stages of the Christian Church history, from the days of John until the end of times. Which period is prophetically described by the letter to the church of Smyrna?
   The Apostolic Church, from A.D. 31 to 100.
   The Persecuted Church, from A.D. 100 to 313.
   The Compromising Church, from A.D. 313 to 538.
   The Corrupt Church, from A.D. 538 to 1517.

5. In His letter to the church of Smyrna, Jesus mentions the positive points of this church: «I know your works, , and (but you are ).» The continuation of the letter indeed brings out the hard times which this persecuted church had to go through.

6. On the other hand, which reproach does Jesus direct at the church of Smyrna?
   Abandonment of its first love.
   Discouragement in the midst of trial.
   Doctrinal compromise.
   No reproach is directed at this church.

7. Jesus says that the church of Smyrna has to undergo «the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not». On that subject, the Epistle of Paul to the Romans specifies what follows: «For he is not a Jew who is one , nor is that circumcision which is outward in the ; but he is a Jew who is one , and circumcision is that of the .»

8. In the letter to the church of Smyrna, Jesus foretold the severe persecution launched by Roman emperor Diocletian against the Christians. Jesus even announced the precise length of this persecution, that is:
   5 years.
   7 years.
   10 years.
   15 years.

9. The letters to the seven churches also contain a personal message for each one of us. The advice and promises specifically addressed to the church of Smyrna can indeed be of great help to us, because:
   very difficult times will come before Jesus' return.
   it is always easier to yield to compromise.
   the fire of our first love must be kept alive.
   our faith can turn into cold formalism.

10. The letter to the church of Smyrna ends with this promise for him who perseveres until the end: «Be faithful until , and I will give you the of life. (...) He who shall not be hurt by the second death.» And Jesus offers us the power we need to overcome!

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