Study
4 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 2:8-17
1-
Reconstruct from verses 8-11 the situation with which the
believers in Smyrna were confronted. What does Christ declare concerning (a)a
their immediate, and (b) their final future?
In What ways were they already rich? How were they to conquer? To what result
would such conquest lead?
2-
Satan could not break the rocklike steadfastness of the Church
in Pergamum by frontal attack (verse 13), so he employed another method,
tempting believers to ask, ‘Is it necessary to be so uncompromising in our
attitude toward idolatrous practices and pagan morals? What is Christ’s answer
to this sort of question?
Notes
1-
Verse 10. ‘Ten days’: i.e., for a short period
2-
Verse 11. ‘The second
death’: cf. 20:14, 15; 21:8.
3-
Verse 13. ‘Where Satan’s throne is’: Pergamum was the official
residence of the Roman proconsul of the province, and the chief centre of the worship
of the emperor.
4-
Verse 17. ‘The hidden manna’: the Rabbis taught that the Messiah
when He came would give the people manna to eat, now hidden in heaven. What is
said here is that Christ is the true manna, the bread of life. Cf. Jn.
6:-48-51. ‘A white stone’: stones engraved with names supposed to posses’
magical qualities were highly valued in heathen circles. Christ gives privileges,
personal to catch recipient, which exceed all that can be found outside of Him.
