4.

Jesus’s message to the persecuted Smyrna and Perverted Pergamum

Revelation 2: 8-17

  • Session: 4
  • Week: 1
  • Day: 4
A4 Print PDF
Mobile PDF
Full Series PDF

Introduction

In this session, Revelation Chapter 2: 8-17, we focus on the state of the bride of Jesus Christ at Smyrna and Pergamum, where persecution and perversions were taking place. Jesus was last seen outside his house, knocking to be let inside by his bride. An increase in wickedness causes love to grow cold.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Understood the entire revelation of Jesus to his Bride, the Church, by piecing together his partial revelation to 7 different fellowships.
  • Comprehended the entire revelation of Jesus Christ to his Bride by listing how he revealed himself, his commendation to them, his command to them, his caution to them, and his promise to the overcomers.
  • Described how the fellowship started becoming cold in their love of Jesus because of increased hostility.

Outline

  • The current state of the church, from good to bad to worst.
  • The entire revelation to the seven churches
  • The bridegroom’s commendation, commandment, caution, and promise to overcomers.
  • Increase in wickedness

Group Study Time

Revelation 2: 8-17

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • Read Rev 2: 8-11. How did Jesus reveal himself to the Smyrna (crushed, persecuted) fellowship with 10 waves of coming hostility? What did Jesus praise them for?
  • What did Jesus comfort them for? What did Jesus promise this persecuted fellowship eternally?
  • Read Rev 2: 12-17. How did Jesus reveal himself to the Pergamum fellowship? (Perverse marriages, agreements, perverse and persecuted immoral fellowship, syncretic, mixture of faith and religions).
  • What did Jesus praise this fellowship in Rev 2: 13? What did Jesus warn about? Revelation 2: 14-15, what did Jesus command them to do? Rev 2: 16. What did Jesus promise this persecuted and perverted fellowship eternally? Rev 2: 17

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Jesus’s message to the persecuted Smyrna and Perverted Pergamum

Revelation 2: 8-17

Revelation 2:8-17

  • Context:
    • John relays Jesus’ messages to Smyrna and Pergamum, part of seven churches symbolizing the church’s 2,000-year journey, amidst heresies denying Jesus’ incarnation, using Luke 15 brothers for Jews/Gentiles.
    • Jesus, the reigning Priest, addresses churches facing persecution and internal compromise.
  • Letter to Smyrna: Persecuted Church (Revelation 2:8-11):
    • Jesus, the First and Last who died and lives, knows Smyrna’s suffering, poverty (yet spiritual richness), and blasphemy from false Jews (Satan’s synagogue) (v. 8-9).
    • Despite impending imprisonment and ten days of tribulation, He urges fearlessness and faithfulness, even unto death, promising the crown of life and exemption from the second death (v. 10-11).
    • Mercy sustains endurance through persecution.
  • Letter to Pergamum: Compromised Church (Revelation 2:12-17):
    • Jesus, with the sharp two-edged sword (God’s Word), acknowledges Pergamum’s loyalty despite living where Satan’s throne is, exemplified by Antipas’ martyrdom (v. 12-13).
    • Yet, He rebukes their tolerance of Balaam-like teachings (idolatry, sexual sin) and Nicolaitans, calling for repentance to avoid His judgment (v. 14-16).
    • Victors receive hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name (v. 17).
    • Mercy calls for purity amid worldly entanglement.
  • Application:
    • Endure persecution like Smyrna with faithfulness, trusting Jesus’ victory; reject compromise like Pergamum’s, repenting of worldly mixture—mercy empowers steadfastness and purity for eternal reward.