Smyrna and Pergamum

Smyrna and PergamumRevelation - Lesson 3

Lesson 3 - Smyrna and Pergamum:
The Pressured Church & The Compromising Church

Revelation 2:8-17 Questions

Day 1 - Review

1.Whatdidyoulearninthecommentarynotesfromlastweek’slesson?

2.Whatdidyoufindmeaningfulaboutthelecture?

3.Inwhatwayhaveyoubeenchallengedinyourthinkingoractionsfromlastweek’slesson?

Day 2 - Revelation 2:8

Reading: Revelation 2:8; John 15:20; 2Timothy3:12; 1Thessalonians3:4; Matthew 5:10; 2Corinthians12:10; 2Thessalonians1:4; 2Timothy3:11

4.Smyrnawasacoastalcitysome40milesnorthofEphesus. Emperorworshipwasprevalentthere
inthefirstcentury,andChristianswereforcedtochoosebetweenJesusasLordorCaesaras
Lord. TherewasalsomuchJewishhostilityaimedatthoseinthischurch. RayStedmansays:“The
nameSmyrnameans‘myrrh’. Itisafittingnamebecausemyrrhisaperfume,thefragranceof
whichisreleasedbycrushing. Herewasachurchbeingcrushedthroughpersecution.” Describea
timeyouwerepersecutedbecauseofyourChristianfaith. (Hint: Persecution is simply being
mistreated because of your beliefs.)

5.HowisJesusdescribedinv.8?

6.Thought Question: WhatdoyouthinkissignificantaboutJesus’mentionofHisownresurrection
consideringHeisaddressingapersecutedchurch?

7.WhatdothefollowingversessayaboutthepersecutionofChristians?

John 15:20-

2Timothy3:12-

1Thessalonians3:4-

8.HowdothefollowingverseshelpaChristianunderpersecution?

Matthew 5:10-

2Corinthians12:10-

2Thessalonians1:4-

2Timothy3:11-

Day 3 - Revelation 2:9-11

Reading: Revelation 2:9-11

9.Listfactsthatstandouttoyouinvs.9-11. (Hint: Use only words from the passage and do not
paraphrase.)

Fact # 1-

Fact # 2-

Fact # 3-

Fact # 4-

10.Recordlessonslearnedfromthefactsjustlisted. (Hint: Look for a command to obey, a promise
to claim or a principle by which to live. What’s being done that is good? What’s being done that’s
bad? What do you learn about God?)

Lesson # 1-

Lesson # 2-

Lesson # 3-

Lesson # 4-

11.Howmightyoupersonallyapplytheselessonstoyourownlife? (Hint: State your personal
application in the form of a question.)

Application # 1-

Application # 2-

Application # 3-

Application # 4-

Day 4 - Revelation 2:9-11

Reading: Revelation 2:9-11; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Mark 7:6-7; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:15; Titus 1:16; James 1:12; Revelation 20:14, 21:8

There are several phrases used in vs. 9-11 that seem difficult to interpret. It’s always wise to interpret scripture with scripture. See what insights you glean from the cross references corresponding with some of these hard to understand passages.

12.Thought Question: Whatlessondoyoulearnfrom“youwillsufferpersecutiontendays”inv.10?
(Hint: Use 2 Corinthians 4:17 for your answer.)

13.Thought Question: WhenspeakingaboutfalseJewishapostles,whatdoesthephrase“asynagogue
ofSatan”inv.9mean? (Hint: Use Mark 7:6-7, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:15 and Titus 1:16 for your
answer.)

14.Thought Question: Whatisthe“crownoflife”mentionedinv.10? (Hint: Use James 1:12)

15.Thought Question: Whatisthe“seconddeath”mentionedinv.11? (Hint: Use Revelation 20:14
and 21:8)

16.Contrastyourunderstandingofthe“crownoflife”vs.“theseconddeath”. Whatdothesepromises
motivateyoutodo?

Day 5 - Revelation 2:12-13

Reading: Revelation 2:12-13; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians6:10-18

The city of Pergamum was known as an intellectual center. It had a 200,000 volume library and a medical center. We get our English word “scalpel” from the pagan Greek god of medicine named Aesculapius. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the great altar of Zeus (possible reason for reference to Satan’s throne) was located there.

17.Whatwasthesharp,double-edgedsword? (Hint: Read Hebrews 4:12)

18.InEphesians6:10-18,thereisareferencetotheswordoftheSpirit. Whatisthemainpurposeof
theswordinthisEphesianspassage? (Hint: Look at vs. 10-13)

19.ForwhatdidJesuscommendthisPergamumchurch?

20.WhenhasGodgivenyouanopportunitytoremaintruetohisname? Explainyouranswer.

Day 6 - Revelation 2:14-17

Reading: Revelation 2:14-17; Isaiah 32:6; Colossians 2:8

According to Henry Morris, “The doctrine of Balaam was to gain control over God’s people by seducing them to compromise with the world, especially in sexual sins and going along with those who worshiped false gods.”

21.ForwhatdidJesuscondemntheChurchatPergamuminv.14?

22.NotmuchisknownaboutthepeoplecalledtheNicolaitansortheirteachingsinv.15.What
conclusiondoyoudrawabouttheNicolaitans’teachingshereandinv.6? (Hint: Even though we
don’t know exactly what they taught, we do know how Jesus reacted to their teaching.)

23. Thought Question: Whyisitimportanttonotjustbelievetherightthingsbuttorejectthewrong
things? (Hint: Read Isaiah 32:6 and Colossians 2:8)

24.Whatemphaticcommandisgiventothischurch?

25.Whataretheconsequencesofrejectingthiscommand?

26.Basedonyourunderstandingoftheswordfrompassagescrossreferencedinquestions1718,
whatdoyouthink“fightingthemwiththeswordofHismouth”means?

27.WhattwothingsarepromisedbyJesusto“overcomers”?