Revelation #4 – Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   February 23, 2023

Revelation CGS – Week 4

 

A letter to Smyrna – Stay Focused

 

Revelation 2:8-11

 

INTRODUCTION:  This week, we continue in the section of Revelation, the seven messages to the seven churches of Asia Minor, with the message to the church in Smyrna. Remember, the book of Revelation is a letter to real Christians who were facing real pressures and problems in the closing years of the first century. That is where the seven messages to the seven churches really help us to understand the original audience.

 

Smyrna (modern Izmir) was the second largest and reputedly the most beautiful city in Provincial Asia and is the only city of the seven that is still in existence today. Smyrna was the first city of Asia to build a temple to Roma, the spirit of Rome, in 195 b.c. In John’s day it was a city that had been “resurrected from the dead,” in that it had been destroyed 700 years earlier and had lain in ruins for 300 years.[1] Smyrna was a faithful ally of Rome in the days before Rome was acknowledged in the region, so its loyalty meant something. The city stretched down the slopes of a mountain to the Aegean seacoast, where an excellent harbor saw steady traffic from ships engaged in commerce. Associations of goldsmiths, winemakers, textile producers, and merchants contributed to the wealth of the city. The product of careful urban planning, Smyrna’s streets were laid out in straight lines, some paved with stone and bordered by graceful colonnades. The city boasted temples to the goddess Meter and other deities, as well as to the deified emperor Tiberius. As a cultural center, it had a good library and a shrine to the poet Homer. The Christian community was poor by comparison, although John declares that in Christ’s eyes they are “rich” in faith (Rev. 2:9).[2]

Life for Christians in Smyrna was very difficult. They were facing pressure and accusations from their neighbors that resulted in arrest and ultimately, prosecution and martyrdom. This is where the position and words of Jesus become a crucial message for them. They have lost their livelihoods and social connections, and now they are being pressed to death. Yet, Jesus reminds them he is the one who defeated death, and he offers his victory to them. So, even in this moment of great opposition and persecution, stay faithful because their hope is not rooted in this world, but in Christ. As we consider the message to this group, we do not face the same pressures (at least in the West), but the call to remain faithful still applies. The Christians in Smyrna were encouraged by Jesus to stay focused on their eternal hope and not on temporary suffering. The same is true for us today, we need to increasingly focus on our eternal hope. Faithfulness doesn’t happen by accident. In other words, when I aim at nothing, I’ll hit it every time.

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time this week, consider the importance of being intentional in order to be faithful. We know that faithfulness doesn’t happen by accident. Share about a time when you learned the truth of that statement. Or, share about a person who modeled faithfulness well for you. What stood out specifically to you about their example?

 

 

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

 

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

 

 

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

 

 

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

 

Note: Revelation can be a tough book. Here are some questions that might help with discussion.

  1. The Christians in Smyrna were facing the loss of life for the sake of Christ. We may not be able to relate to that reality in the US, but what is the thing I fear most to lose for the sake of Christ?
  2. In the two letters so far (Ephesus and Smyrna), both churches faced pressure to give into the culture at large. We might be more ready to identify the larger pressures of our day, but what are some of the more “innocuous” pressures that still pull us away from faithfully following Jesus?
  3. Faithfulness can feel like a very overwhelming or performative virtue. But, it is really about doing the next right and Godly thing. How does that idea change the concept of faithfulness for you?
  4. The Christians in Smyrna are told not to fear poverty, slander, and tribulation; how does the truth of Jesus’ character and nature help them to overcome their fear? How does the truth help us to overcome our fears?
  5. Who God is matters. It matters because his promises are hinged on his character. How often do you spend time actively remembering what God has already done and how he has been faithful? What is one intentional step you could take this week to actively remember those things?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Steve Gregg, Revelation, Four Views: A Parallel Commentary (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson Publishers, 1997), 66.

[2] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 67.