What are some reasons God allows suffering in our lives? The 2 nd century Church bishop and . They were despised. Look at Revelation 2:8 with me, And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: (NASB). What helps you endure? Is there anything in your life that is causing you to be fearful? The Letter to the Church in Smyrna by Paul Gardner - Ligonier Ministries You and I and our congregation may not be a Smyrna church just now. Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? They might face death. It went on and on. Then, they would want to pray with us. The Seven Churches of Revelation: Why They | Zondervan Academic What is your Motivation for Moving Forward? Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. This is true of the Evangelistic and . 3. Smyrna -- The Suffering Church | Bible.org In fact, transactions in the world have never fruits and to lose belly been completely equal. What should you do? But we do experience our own pressures, suffering, and afflictions. What caused them to turn out to be a church of bitterness and strife? After college (the first time), Crickett was on staff with C More. In the center of the ancient city, Mount Pagos (modern name: Kadifekale) stood 500 ft. high and was encircled by a garland of architecturally impressive buildings and templeswhich was probably why the hill was known as The Crown of Smyrna.. I had decided how I was going to handle this. The city rivaled Ephesus in grandeur and influence. The church in Smyrna and the church in Laodicea stand in stark contrast to each other (Rev. Presumably, this church was founded during Pauls ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:10).1, The Greek word translated Smyrna was used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew word for myrrh, a resinous substance used as a perfume for the living (Matthew 2:11) and the dead (John 19:39). They cannot coexist. Their enemies can only take their lives once. In Revelation, the Apostle John records Jesuss address to seven churches in Asia Minor. I was kind of scared. Explain your answer. Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church. (NASB). That night my roommate came in and I was telling Tina about what had happened and my plan for the next day, and how I was going to really get her. How do you respond to suffering and tribulation? He does not like it and he will unleash his wrath on this church or any group of believers because he does not want you to grow. They would be thrown into prison probably for the purpose of forcing them to worship the Roman emperor. Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously. from A.D. c. 100-316; Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17), 'where Satan dwells' is suggestive of the church mixing with the world . 5. For instance, telling them that they were practicing cannibalism because they were partaking of the Lords Supper, eating of the body of Christ, drinking His blood. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History). 5. They had no food. They were doing Satans will and not Gods. What Does God Say about the Church at Smyrna? . A third form of suffering for them was persecution in verse 9. (1 Corinthians 15:50-57). How would these verses encourage you in the midst of tough times? In James 1:12, James write, Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him. They were once a vibrant, healthy church that was now starting to die. What would Jesus say to such a church? Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. 3. It is emphatic in the Greek. Why is Smyrna being praised? In fact, it has been said that more Christians have lived in this region than any other Turkish city in the world. How can you better realize the fact that our trials will be limited and temporary? 6. 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 know your afflictions and your povertyyet you are rich!Followers of Jesus living in Smyrna were seen as a cult and persecuted by the hostile Roman empire. Maybe someone in your family is causing you some grief. 6. Jesus had a reason for mentioning this fact. He is not just a Savior and/or best Friend; He gives us life, holds our lives, and will judge our lives. If we are going to suffer well, the first thing we have to remember is that Jesus Christ is the ultimate victor. The devil may harm their physical body, but he can not do them any spiritual harm. Are you a God pleaser more than a people pleaser? This was a message meant to encourage them in light of what they were facing presently and were about to face in the future. 6. It would protect them. God knows and He cares for you. 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 would go to these dinners hating it because all they would do was just drink and drink. I will tell you that I do not want to stand there before the throne of God empty-handed. The problem was that it bugged them that I did not drink. I want to begin by asking you a question. 1 John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Revelation 1-11 (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 69. How can such a church be turned around? The pressure came with these students. 2. I went in and I just said, God I do not think I can do this. The ultimate enemy is Satan and that is pointed out in these verses. Most scholars agree that the name Smyrna was a reference to the myrrh, which was the chief export of the area. Throughout the history of the Church the more that the Church has been persecuted the greater its purity and strength. It reminds us of five things that we must remember if we are going to suffer well. degrees -- one in Medical Technology and the other in Perfusion Technology. All rights reserved. What was Jesus message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation. How does this compare with the strong terminology Jesus uses in Rev 2:9? Home values, sales prices, taxes, school data, and more. Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously. . I know your afflictions and your povertyyet you are rich! What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? Oct 04, 2021 41:20. He died for one reason: his unyielding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I think it is a way to deal with stress in the operating room. You know that it is spiritual warfare where you get discouraged by things you hear said. It was mighty. Kingdom 102: Kingdom of Light or Darkness? I shut the door and I stood there. The members of the Smyrna church, though, are facing persecution because they are more focused on what God thinks than what man thinks. However, the church was wealthy, not in the temporal things that had brought their city fame. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Why do we do it? Is the Apocalypse Mentioned in the Bible? But, Jesus reminded them that they were poor here on this earth but you are so rich. There was no rebuke for this church and because they were faithful until death, their candlestick has never been removed. But, if we are really serious about going deeper, suffering is part of that process. I was doing an internship in medical technology at Baton Rouge General Hospital. (How does Romans 2:28-29 relate to this? 6. He casts us in the fires of trial in order to refine us and strengthen our character. Satan does not want believers to study the book of Revelation because he does not want you to know your eternal hope. I do not agree with that. Jesus was reminding these suffering Christians in Smyrna who may be facing death in the near future. They despised and hated Jesus Christ. Most of us will never die for our faith and I hope we do not. They had sufferings to overcome and learn from, but most chose to run the course their way and tarnish His Way. I had just started walking with the Lord that year before and I had gone on a beach project with Campus Crusade that summer. Throughout history, Smyrna has suffered its fair share of hardship. What causes a Christian to become belligerent against Christ and a church to turn on one another, forsaking their call and duty? The words of Jesus to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11 offer insight into the life of a first-century congregation, and there are many applications for today's believers. Be faithful even if it leads to your physical death. . Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrha sap-like substance extracted from tree bark. When we are faithful, we become beacons of hope and encouragement to others, too. They had absolutely nothing. 1.3 Orthodoxy. This is a church under persecution yet denounced every false pretension of Jews who were (Synagogue of Satan) abode of Satan. They were hated. 2. Revelation 20:14 and Revelation 21:8 tells us that the second death is the lake of fire and brimstone. For example, the letter to Ephesus . The second death will be eternal separation from God in torment. When we work our lives and church with our corrupt personal power we are in fact abandoning His power and Fruit. What was Jesus message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation? Very few of us today know that kind of pressure, but they refused to worship Caesar. Smyrna was a church where people's agendas were in opposition to Christ's. They had sufferings to overcome and learn from, but most chose to run the course their way and tarnish His Way. They will only last for a moment in life of the blessings that you will have for eternity. Why are they treading on dangerous ground? 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. She would totally ignore me. I wish I had more time to go into detail of his story. Spend some time thanking Jesus for what He endured for us. So I kept my guard there, but I said, have I done something? She told me to shut the door. Yet, we tend to fill His call with the void of our stubbornness, recklessness, and selfishness. What will I do about it? Well, the second thing we need to remember is that the ultimate test is suffering. 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. I have felt his warfare. Located just 35 miles north of Ephesus, at the head of the Aegean Sea, the thriving city of Smyrna was known for its beauty, wealth, and achievement. 9. My time came to rotate through that lab. As I said in your study this week that fear and trust are opposites. She read, He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. (NIV). List reasons why those Jews were not considered real Jews in Jesus eyes. So, there will be attacks on us to not study this Word, to not do this. She said, Janene, lets just get down on our knees. released through Familius Publishing in 2020. We need to be ready to stay firm and to stand and resist his attacks. Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? Be hopeful. When Jesus refers to the crown of life, is He referring to eternal life or to a reward for those who are faithful through tribulation on this earth? The first death means when we physically die and then go into eternity for rewards and to wait for the resurrection and the everlasting life. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Whatever it is, it is a hard season of life. They had laid up for themselves treasures in Heaven,where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20) No doubt, Jesuss commendation would have been a timely affirmation that their sacrifices had not been made in vainand that they should continue basking in the abundant life Jesus had purchased for them. 10. Christ will use us in the plights of others as hands to grab on to and pull others up when they are sinking. 2:8-11. Appreciation for this transcription work goes to Marilyn Fine. He knows the tough times. What Is the Abomination of Desolation in the End Times? Seven Churches of Revelation - Life, Hope & Truth It was almost as if the city was trying to starve them out. He is like a lion prowling around looking for someone he could use. How does the fact that Jesus knows your pain and feels your pain help you persevere in times of trials and confusion? Q. Tina said, you know Crickett, or at that time I was Janene. What does God want me to share with someone? Laodicea lay in Phrygia's Lycus Valley, ten miles west of Colosse and six miles south of Hierapolis. Anyone who has said I cannot earn salvation on my own so I put my faith in the blood of Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for my sins. How have you seen God use trials and suffering in your life? Finally, Jesus warns His people to expect more suffering, persecution, and testing. Some people use this verse about dying the second death to uphold their view of the doctrine of annihilation. Many were placed on the rack where they were stretched so far that their legs and their arms were pulled out of their sockets. Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrh, a flagrant perfume used in burial. 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. What Scriptures come to your mind concerning this? Thank you for being that ultimate victor who won victory over death so we might have life eternal. I came back that fall and I was so on fire for the Lord. 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. Yet, He is there, guiding us with a beacon that says. Kingdom 103: Your Goals, His Purposeand Then What? He looks for people who oh, lets see, boy, shes always critical. She is always a gossip. She is always kind of stirring up the pot about one of the leaders saying I do not like the way he is doing this or I do not think they should. Be careful, because he is looking for someone he can just grab and go, yeah, build on that, talk that up in your church, yeah, talk about that leader. We must not forget that the characteristics of all these Periods continue on in the Church down to the end. He knows what you are feeling. 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. How can this give you hope for your church? We would be amazed at their love for God and just the depth of their walk with him. The people loved the Roman government because it was strong. So, they were infatuated with the Roman government and they worshipped the emperors. She used the Word of God to just muzzle me. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. We can have confidence as believers that we will spend eternity with God and not face the second death. She came in and I said, Good morning, how are you doing? If I am afraid that means I am not trusting God. Revelation 2:8-11 - The Church in Smyrna - Ministrymaker 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. Be thankful that He did this that He died for us. They were poor. It is a gift. People did not want to sell to them because they were Christians. Smyrna: The Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11 - Israel My Glory 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 Are the End Times Described in 2 Timothy? I had the opportunity while I lived there to visit in the homes of some Chinese believers who had undergone some serious persecution for their faith during the years of the Cultural Revolution. I lived in mainland China for four years and during those four years I studied the Chinese language of Mandarin. They were reporting false allegations to the government about these believers, saying things which were not true about them. Why does God allow Satan to bring tribulation in our lives if God is ultimately in control? The Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) How does 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9 and James 2:5 shed light on this? Perfusionists, for some reason, or at least the ones I know, love to drink and party. Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death. 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 Smyrna: The Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11. They just put a rope around his hands. 2. 19:20; 20:10-15). What was Jesus message to the church in Smyrna in Revelation? Every day there is just a wonderful surprise and you are just in a great season of life. He will do anything to stop good things that God is doing. He knows us more intimately that we can imagine and desires that we be in Him and glorify Him fully. Pagan worship, especially of Zeus but also of numerous other deities flourished there. My prayer for us is that we would suffer well. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. I was going in the next morning and I was going to tell this lady that she was going to hell and I was going to celebrate that she was going. You know, I was just going to let her know and express that I am glad you are going to hell. Ask what you dare if you will let me. ), Note: Jesus use of the strong term blasphemy, which was usually reserved for hostile words against God, indicates the slanders wickedness, intensity, and severity.4, 4. Do you ever feel that way that you are under that kind of pressure that it is just going to suffocate you? View property report for 975 Church St Se, Smyrna, GA 30080 on ATTOM's Property Navigator. How does this fact strengthen your faithfulness? St. Polycarp | Biography, Apostolic Father, Writings, Martyrdom She would take the other student aside and sit down and show her how to do the instruments and explain the physiology behind what we were testing. What Does God Say about the Church at Smyrna? - Christianity.com Another kind of pressure they were under was a pressure to worship the pagan gods and goddesses. The first thing He promises is that they will receive the crown of life for being faithful until death. Allow it to deepen your relationship with Christ, not push you away from Him. If so, how is that evident in your life? Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. Revelation 2:11a - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.". Smyrna was a large, important city on the western coast of Asia Minor, famed for its schools of medicine and science. Some of the first schools of science and medicine were founded in Smyrna, and on the beautiful slopes of Mount Pagos, the city erected a theater that sat twenty thousand people; the ruins of the theatre are still visible today. She and her husband have five childrenthree who have already flown the coop and two adopted teens still roosting at homeplus two adorable grands who add immeasurable joy and laughter to the whole flock. The Seven Churches of Revelation - Bible Meaning Explained What similarities to Revelation 2:8-11 do you see in this passage? Smyrna covers the second church period from approximately from 100 C. E. to 323 C. E.; the Age of Martyrdom, 200-250 years during the second and third centuries C. E. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:11). Smyrna was a seaport city about 35 miles north of Ephesus. Look at the conversation between Jesus and the Jews in John 8:31-47. They had no heart for God. This article is part of our larger End Times Resource Library. Sermon on Revelation 2:8-11 - The Church Of Smyrna - Study and Obey Pt 1, How Did We Lose the Gospel of the Kingdom? 11. Let me tell you one other thing. In verse nine, Jesus praises and affirms the church by recognizing their material poverty in contrast to their vast spiritual prosperity. 5. Death means separation. The Church in its "Ephesian Period" having lost its "First Love," the Lord is now about to "chastise" it, so as to cause it to return to Him. But, you know, they heard every word. 2007 - 2023 ChurchLeadership.Org - All Rights Reserved. Ironically, our sufferings are far less of a venture and sentence than our poor choices. It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow? But, the second type they were dealing with was poverty. They were being slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. These Jews were physical descendants of Abraham. You see, Smyrna had a lot of religions. Fruits And Vegetables To Lose Belly Fat - The largest student-run I just thought, you have no idea.. Just say Caesar is lord to save your life. And he would not do it. How would Jesus words in Luke 12:4-7 encourage someone about to suffer for his faith? Annette has also written curriculum for character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. 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. The Church at Smyrna would have been familiar with the extreme honor associated with a victors crown. The city was well known for its Olympic-style athletic contests. What season of life are you in today? The local church still thrives there too. Each of the letters to the churches is directly from Jesus and includes a piece of the description about Jesus from Revelation 1. 2006 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. Those crowns are not to make us feel good about ourselves. Smyrna was a hotbed for pagan worship. Pt 2, Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? Toggle Name and characteristics subsection 1.1 Definition. The closest that I have ever come to feeling that kind of pressure was when I was perfusionist at Texas Heart Institute in Houston. Ephesus & Smyrna & Pergamum - Barabbas Road Church in San Diego, CA Such was the case for the ancient church at Smyrna. 3 Stott, What Christ Thinks of the Church, 44. Kingdom 103: The Governor is Meant For All, Kingdom 103: The Holy Spirit is Your Guide and Teacher, Kingdom 103: Your Legacy and the Kingdom, Kingdom 104: The Misrepresentation of the Kingdom, Kingdom 104: Earthly Holidays Misrepresent the Kingdom, Kingdom 104: His Name is All Authority and Power, Kingdom 104: His Law, the Source of All His Principles and Truth, Kingdom 104: Failing to Know Your Kingdom Assignment Brings Boredom, Kingdom 104: The Purpose of the Sabbath--Rest and Teach, Kingdom 104: The Sabbath or Seventh Day God's Way, Kingdom 104: The Sabbath or Seventh Day God's Way Pt 2, Kingdom 104: Living in the Kingdom Culture, Kingdom 104: Your Eternal Foundation Will Sustain You, Kingdom 104: The Diluting of the Kingdom Message, Kingdom 104: Being Deceived From Your True Identity Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Being Deceived From Your True Identity Pt 2, Kingdom 104: Being Deceived Without a Solid Foundation, Kingdom 104: What Profit Has Righteousness in the Kingdom? It is not for you to carry around and have them saying, wow, look at my crown! Your crown is a little small there. Look how many I have. These crowns are not for the purpose of making you feel good about your life on this earth because we are told in Revelation 4:10 that we will go before the throne of God and we will go on our knees and our faces before Him and we will cast our crowns at his feet. They are cannibals. They accused them of immorality because they greeted one another with a holy kiss. That is all they have done, but your spiritual life continues on forever. The first thing He tells them is be fearless. He is with us fully. You are so in love with the Lord. What was Jesus' message to the church in Smyrna in Revelation? I had not ever said anything about the Lord to her. But, maybe there are some of you who are in a very difficult season of life. It is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible other than these four verses, but it is believed it is with the other churches that were founded while Paul spent two years in Ephesus on his third missionary journey. And finally, Smyrna was the only congregation besides Philadelphia that did not receive admonishment from Jesus. The church at Smyrna was to undergo some intense persecution and tribulation. How do these verses affirm Christs equality with God? They got drunk. Judging from the characteristics of his appearance, Fuming gave him a very good impression now arctic diet pills Shuerjia can only keto fuel pills review form his first impression based on his appearance. Spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. 6 Stott, What Christ Thinks of the Church, 43. Specific Messages to 7 Churches of Revelation Some of these seven churches kept closer to the gospel than others. That is the doctrine or the view of annihilation of hell. The fragrance from Myrrh is only released from the sap through crushing. Well, you know, God never promises us as a believer that life is going to always be fun. (8) Revelation 2:8 - "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
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