Suffering Smyrna

Suffering Smyrna"

First, in vv 9-10a - The church in Smyrna experienced much suffering and persecution

1. By physical impoverishment (9a)

2. By verbal abuse (9b)

3. By imprisonment and martyrdom (10a)

Second, in vv 10b-11 - The encouragements Christ gave the Smyrnan church to endure their suffering

1. Their suffering was designed by God to purify and refine them (10b)

2. Their suffering would be limited by God to a brief duration (10c)

3. Their suffering endured would be richly rewarded by God (10d-11)