I went in and I just said, God I do not think I can do this. Maybe you are in a season that everything is going great and you are just loving life. My exhortation for us with this is that we should be thankful. He does not want you to go deeper in Gods Word. Smyrna was named for the word myrrh, an aromatic gum resin that is bitter to the taste but sweet to the smell. Property Characteristics; Geocodes; Building Permits; Real Estate Valuation. They were doing Satans will and not Gods. The crown of life is a special reward for endurance in your persecution. This second death means that those who fail to accept Christ will also be resurrected, only to die again in the "lake of fire." Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. I do not think I can be like You. I went into that lab and got there before she did. For the first He says in Revelation 2:10, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Pt 2, Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? We need to be on guard and we need to commit to pray for the church for the leaders. Look at the conversation between Jesus and the Jews in John 8:31-47. John addresses the Church in Smyrna. Ch 1 Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? They were reporting false allegations to the government about these believers, saying things which were not true about them. The Bible tells us that. Anytime there is a sense of spiritual awakening or spiritual revival or the sense of the spirit of God moving in lives I will tell you, it makes Satan scream. I have felt it in my life whether it is just things that people say right before I get ready to teach or whether it is something that happens in preparation. WEALTHY WITHOUT WEALTH In the church Ephesus, the Lords finds a decay of first love, in Smyrna, we see Him voiding Satan's malice to restore the former freshness. So, I caught all kinds of grief, you know, comments made like: oh, you would fit well into grandmothers generation. You are really out of touch with reality today. Just cruel comments. Jesus has no censure for the church The promise Christ gives to overcomers in verse 11 is that they "shall not be hurt by the second death." The First and the Last 5. Smyrna, an ancient city now surrounded by the modern city of Izmir, was originally established around 1000 BC by Aeolian Greek settlers in "Old Smyrna" (Bayrakl Hy) on a small peninsula jutting out from Asia Minor into the Aegean Sea, similar to Old Tyre. Jesus is passionately concerned with how and what we do in our churches, and wants to be intimately involved. They got drunk. Why are these blaspheming Jews referred to as a synagogue of Satan? With the warning comes the exhortation that they should not succumb to fear. It went on and on. They were hated. No second-place prize existed. It reads, You will not in any way be hurt by the second death. As a believer, you do have eternal life and He is saying you may suffer the first death, you may die physically, but you will never die again. I went home that night and I got angrier the more I thought about it. When we are faithful, we become beacons of hope and encouragement to others, too. Smyrna is still a large seaport with the present population of about 275,000 people. That is the kind of pressure, a suffocating pressure that they are under. With a population of over 3 million, Smyrna continues to thrive today as the modern Turkish city of Izmir. What caused them to turn out to be a church of bitterness and strife? He always will exist. If so, how is that evident in your life? He is talking about that kind of pressure that comes from when you take a heavy rock and you put it on someones chest and you press down on their chest with all your force so that it suffocates the person. I was on staff at Texas Heart as one of the instructors through the University of Texas. c. Slanderings. I understand. He can walk right through it with them. Yet, we tend to fill His call with the void of our stubbornness, recklessness, and selfishness. They were once a vibrant, healthy church that was now starting to die. What was Jesus message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation. I do not want anyone to go there. The second thing He promises is eternal life. The church in Smyrna and the church in Laodicea stand in stark contrast to each other (Rev. He was martyred for his faith in A.D. 156. It is not a question of, will you suffer? The question is, how will you handle it when it comes?. It may seem like they are the enemy. I believe it is something so horrible that it is hard to describe in words. Be hopeful. He knows the tough times. Kingdom 102: Surrendering Our Heavenly Passport, Kingdom 102: A Break in Diplomatic Relations, Kingdom 102: We Are Prisoners In a Foreign Land, Kingdom 102: Understanding His Mission, Purpose and Who He Is, Kingdom 102: His Original Mission and Purpose, Kingdom 102: Developing a Kingdom Concept, Kingdom 102: Meditate on These Kingdom Principles, Kingdom 102: His Assignment, Preach the Kingdom, Kingdom 102: Preach and Teach the Gospel of the Kingdom, Kingdom 102: Representing the King: The Power of Our Position, Kingdom 102: Restoring the Kingdom and Its Mission Statement, Kingdom 102: The Kingdom Reintroduced Pt 1, Kingdom 102: The Kingdom Reintroduced Pt 2, Kingdom 102: God's Plan to Restore Our Place, Kingdom 102: Preparation for the Counselor (Holy Spirit), Kingdom 102: Preparing for the Indwelling, Kingdom 102: A New Order is Here, in the Last Stage, Kingdom 102: The New Order and Its Citizens, Kingdom 102: The Final Process: Becoming One With the Holy Spirit, Kingdom 102: The Kingdom is the Good News Pt 1, Kingdom 102: The Kingdom is the Good News Pt 2, Kingdom 103: The King's Viewpoint of Giving. What Do We Know About the Ancient city of . Of the seven churches, Smyrna is one of two that received no reproof from Jesus, and it is the only church of the seven that still exists today, After His ascension, Rome became increasingly hostile toward Jesuss followers. And finally, Smyrna was the only congregation besides Philadelphia that did not receive admonishment from Jesus. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It was probably only 15 minutes, but it seemed like hours. Pt 1, How Did We Lose the Gospel of the Kingdom? Their enemies can only take their lives once. Jesus gave each one a short "report card." Ephesus had "abandoned the love it had at first," (Revelation 2:4, ESV ). The substance was used to make fragrant perfumes and anointing oils (Exodus 30:23) and was used in ancient burial preparations (John 19:39). In what ways are you rich in Christ? Most American Christians today will not be called to die a martyrs death. Toggle Name and characteristics subsection 1.1 Definition. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. 3. I do believe that hell is a literal place. Third, at the end of Smyrnas letter, Jesus makes this promise to whoever has ears to hear: He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death (Revelation 2:11, KJV). What does God want me to share with someone? The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. 2. He is aware of the enemys plans and the afflictions we face (Hebrews 2:17-18). I came back that fall and I was so on fire for the Lord. She read, He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. (NIV). Why would this description of Christ be especially encouraging for this church? She was saying you know Crickett God has lain on my heart that because things are going so well right now that we are going to be right in the middle of some spiritual warfare soon, because Satan is not going to like what God is doing. He will do anything to stop good things that God is doing. How have you seen God use trials and suffering in your life? There are two words used in the New Testament for poverty and one just kind of means poor. A fourth form of suffering that they were not facing yet, but would soon be facing (as if these first three were not enough to kill them). Ironically, our sufferings are far less of a venture and sentence than our poor choices. 10. I do not like it when life is hard. 4. God is very much aware of all that is going on in your life and is not surprised by anything. He knows what you are feeling. We would always leave and say, you know I want that kind of relationship with God! He is an enemy who will stop at nothing. Faith banishes fear.6. What was Jesus message to the church in Sardis in Revelation? The trade unions would have nothing to do with them. What was Jesus message to the church in Thyatira in Revelation? Oh, I do not think she should be doing that or I do not think he should be. Be careful. We will throw you into prison until you do. Whether you interpret these ten days as referring to a literal 10 days (I take that view), or whether you interpret it as referring to just a brief period of time, or whether you interpret those 10 days as referring to 10 periods of persecution under 10 Roman emperors, the point being made is the same. I wish I had more time to go into detail of his story. I went into her office and I said you know I just wanted to ask you a question. Hand over those difficult and overwhelming situations to the One who knows and cares. Ancient coin inscriptions describe Smyrna as first of Asia in size and beauty, and The Ornament of Asia.. Well, Smyrna lay 40 miles almost due north of Ephesus. 1.2 Name. Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously. Do you want a cup of coffee? I am thinking, I do not know where that came from! I will tell you it was turning point because she did not say one more word to me negatively. I went into the bathroom and I sat down and I cried. What was Jesus message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation? Ch 1 pt 3, Kingdom 104: Masculine-Minded Men of the Kingdom Government Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Masculine-Minded Men of the Kingdom Government Pt 2, Kingdom 104: The Benefits of Understanding the Simplicity of the Kingdom, Kingdom 104: The Benefits of Discernment, The Kingdom Is the Crux of the Problem Pt 1, The Kingdom Is the Crux of the Problem Pt 2. Also, death is mentioned three times in these four verses. 3. Pagan worship, especially of Zeus but also of numerous other deities flourished there. Read Revelation 2:8-11 (Our focus will be on verse 8 today, but read the entire letter to get an overview.). You are so in love with the Lord. It would be fine if they just left me alone. Finally, Jesus warns His people to expect more suffering, persecution, and testing. It was the loveliest of all the cities. What are the other crowns and to what are they referring? So, I went into her office, which was at the back of the lab. Then, they would want to pray with us. How does knowing that Christ, the Creator and Lord of the universe, approves you help you cope with "feeble mortals" telling you dishonorable things? I had decided how I was going to handle this. They, and the zealot Jewish leaders, hated Christians and prohibited them from working, buying, or selling, any time they got a chance. The first thing He promises is that they will receive the crown of life for being faithful until death. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The Message to the Church at Smyrna. Not only was this bustling seaport considered a center of prosperity, but the city prided itself as a hub of intellect, art, religion, and athletic prowess. Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. How do you respond to suffering and tribulation? 6. 5. The only place the Bible mentions the Church at Smyrna is in Jesus letters to the churches: To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. He is with us fully. I was not Crickett then. We will suffer in this life. Kingdom 103: On What Foundation Does Your Faith Stand? Go ahead and turn with me to Revelation 2. Life is not going so great. Her debut childrens book, What Is A Family? As with all Jesuss letters to the seven churches, His letter to Smyrna ends on a note that invites every Believer, in every age, to hear and receive these important messages. How would you encourage someone who is being persecuted for his faith or going through a tough time? Time and time again, wars, massacres, earthquakes, and plagues have threatened to destroy Smyrna, but the city has always bounced back and rebuilt. 2. I never wanted to open my mouth to pray because my words seemed so shallow compared to the prayers of these godly men and women who had suffered greatly. It is because the soul is no longer there. We need to look beyond the pain and look for that purpose that He wants to accomplish in our life. How did you handle the situation? If you receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people. Oswald Chambers5. Even Jesuss greeting to the church reveals His loving, personal care. What is your Motivation for Moving Forward? If they kill you, they just ended your physical life. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. 3:17); it is impossible for a person to be in Smyrna, before the Lord, yet at the same time be in Laodicea, before the world. It can be seen that Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7), though a local church in the apostle's day, is typical of the first century as a whole; Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) characterizes the church under persecution, e.g. If this was your church, what could be done to make sure it did not die but be revived to its formerly healthy and vibrant ways? How would Jesus words in Luke 12:4-7 encourage someone about to suffer for his faith? But, if we are not faithful, there is no outstretched hand, only missed opportunities and an infamy to a community, a life wasted, a church of dysfunction, and a crown of shame instead of a crown of life. This was true of this church, all the seven churches, the church throughout the ages, and churches today. 4. My human flesh cries out and I will do everything I can to avoid it. Jun 21, 2021 42:17. They had no love for God. 1. What does He promise to the one who overcomes? Unlike Ephesus, which today is uninhabited, Smyrna is still a large city (modern Izmir in Turkey). Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 1-5). When we go through the troubles of life, we can either take shelter in Him or seek to go it alone in our fears and pride. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) Perhaps the most well-known of the seven letters addresses the church in Laodicea. They were boycotted. Be thankful that He did this that He died for us. Is the Apocalypse Mentioned in the Bible? John is grabbing their attention by reminding them (and us) who Christ is and what He has done. Pt 2, Kingdom 104: Christianity Misrepresents the Kingdom Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Christianity Misrepresents the Kingdom Pt 2, Kingdom 104: A Focused Representative of the Kingdom, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? Today, it is known as Izmir, Turkey. Specific Messages to 7 Churches of Revelation Some of these seven churches kept closer to the gospel than others. 5. Why do we do it? Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? They were Jews by race and that is it. In 1 Peter 4:12-19, what are some lessons for life concerning suffering? Until recently, we who live in the United States and Canada have had many personal liberties, particularly the freedom to worship God.In the post-World War II era, most other modern Israelitish nations have also enjoyed such freedoms, and thus most in the church of God are not accustomed to widespread or severe persecution. Father, I pray that we would be people who suffer well, who would please you in a way that we handle anything that comes up. She is so right. How do our stubbornness, recklessness, and selfishness contribute to a church's dysfunction? Jesus thus says in effect, you know what, I know what it is like to be persecuted by your enemies. She finally said, do you have anything you want to say? I said nope. I did not know what to say because I thought I knew I was going to cry. Smyrna: The Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11. 2. She also has two B.S. Perfusionists, for some reason, or at least the ones I know, love to drink and party. If you have ever gone to a funeral or to a visitation and you have looked in a coffin to view the body, you see that physical body, but you know something is missing. My time came to rotate through that lab. They were dirt poor. But, you know, they heard every word. How does this compare with the strong terminology Jesus uses in Rev 2:9? Even though the people would throw them into prison, it says the devil is about to cast some of you into prison. He is the ultimate enemy and we need to be on guard. How would these verses encourage you in the midst of tough times? I just thought, you have no idea.. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victors crown.(Revelation 2:8-10). How do these verses affirm Christs equality with God? As believers, we should expect persecution and suffering in this life. When Jesus introduces Himself as theFirst and the Last, who died and came to life again,He is drawing their attention to the power of His resurrection. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Smyrna was a proud We became great friends. Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. It would protect them. 5. An aspect of maturity is being slow to respond to accusation-as our Lord did. But we do experience our own pressures, suffering, and afflictions. Absolutely nothing is hidden from our all-knowing, all-seeing God. Jesus is upfront about the fact that we will experience trouble in this world, but He has also promised that His peace, grace, and abiding presence are our refuge during our trials (Matthew 28:20). I am so thankful. But, in the process, when I am in the middle of it, it is hard to find joy in why He has me there. May I be accepted this day before you as an acceptable sacrifice. They lit the fire, but strangely enough, the wind blew the fire away from his body so it would not touch him. 9. I want to begin by asking you a question. The second death is spending eternity in hell, separated from God forever. Editor's Note: a lightly edited transcription of the attached audio file will be found at the end of this originally written daily study guide. And finally, Smyrna was the only congregation besides Philadelphia that did not receive admonishment from Jesus. If they sought praise from menif they wanted to please the people around themthey would not be so readily targeted for persecution. By surrendering our lives to our born-again existence, we join our Smyrnaean brethren as overcomers who wont be harmed in the second death, which is the final judgment of the wicked (Revelation 20:6, 20:14, 21:8) Jesus Christ paid for our sin on the cross at Calvary. You know that it is spiritual warfare where you get discouraged by things you hear said. Another warning for us is do not let him use you. He wants to stop us. It is emphatic in the Greek. Kingdom 103: Your Faith is Essential in the Kingdom, Kingdom 103: They Praise Him, But Fail to Obey Him, Kingdom 103: The King's Will and the King's Word, Kingdom 103: Know Your Purpose While on This Earth. He knows exactly what you are going through. Hope-Full: Revelation 2:1-7. ATTOM AVM; Home Equity Data . (Look also at the story of Job in Job 1.). I was so bitter. Based on His intimate awareness of their spiritual condition, Jesus uses these letters to dig deep into the inner workings of each church and flesh out areas of commendation or correction. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! 6. And just like myrrh requires crushing to release the sweet perfume of its fragrance, the church at Smyrna would continue to be crushed through adversity. Q. How does this fact strengthen your faithfulness? 3. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously. People did not want to buy from them because they were Christians. He mentions four ways that this church is suffering because He knows exactly how they are suffering. Revelation 2:11a - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.". (NASB). All Christians cannot stand on their own feet and you could not do this if you had to. How can the fact that Jesus knows us more intimately that we can imagine, and desires us to be in Him strengthen your faithfulness? Maybe those are metaphors. There was no rebuke for this church and because they were faithful until death, their candlestick has never been removed. Second death. What Is the Abomination of Desolation in the End Times? What season of life are you in today? What harm can it do? . He does not want us to move toward spiritual revival. Death means separation. I need strength. She started and began by reading from Isaiah 53 about Jesus the suffering servant. Kingdom Citizen, not "Christian"--What's In a Name? As we look at this letter to Smyrna, this letter gives us insight into suffering.

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