What was Jesus message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation? It is a synagogue of Satan. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed? In 1 Peter 4:12-19, what are some lessons for life concerning suffering? The name of Smyrna was equated with myrrh. I wish I had more time to go into detail of his story. 6. It was one of the chief cities of Roman-dominated Asia and competed with places such as Pergamos and Ephesus for the title "First City of Asia." Kingdom 103: Where Does the Governor Reside? Finally, Jesus warns His people to expect more suffering, persecution, and testing. 3:12). 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. He is an enemy who will stop at nothing. How does knowing that Christ, the Creator and Lord of the universe, approves you help you cope with "feeble mortals" telling you dishonorable things? How do you demonstrate faithfulness? 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? That is the idea. Yet, He is there, guiding us with a beacon that says. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting by Colin Hemer. They were doing Satans will and not Gods. It has been described as the most beautiful of the seven cities. You will not worship the Roman emperor, then we will make you! 5 Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, June 25. Are you secure concerning your eternal destiny? Maybe you are dealing with an illness. The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. Maybe you have a financial issue. First, we serve a God who knows, sees, and is with us through every fiery trial and dark night (Isaiah 43:2). What it tells us about Smyrna and its Christians has big implications for us today. We must not forget that the characteristics of all these Periods continue on in the Church down to the end. He does not want you to know that he loses. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! He will do anything to stop good things that God is doing. God is very much aware of all that is going on in your life and is not surprised by anything. Thus, it is not that much of a stretch or even a job relocation to be a church of Satan, since we are already such a place. 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. They might face death. My challenge is that we need to be on guard. Very few of us today know that kind of pressure, but they refused to worship Caesar. 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. Ch 1 Pt 2, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? In fact, it has been said that more Christians have lived in this region than any other Turkish city in the world. 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. Those crowns are not to make us feel good about ourselves. He knows the suffering that you are going through. It was home to the Greek poet Homer and Polycarp, a personal disciple of the Apostle John and the bishop of the church at Smyrna, known for his faithfulness to Jesus even to martyrdom. A third form of suffering for them was persecution in verse 9. What does He promise to the one who overcomes? We need to look for that end result. c. Slanderings. 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. You see, Smyrna had a lot of religions. 3. 4. It may seem as if people were the enemy, the Jews in the synagogue of Satan, or the government that wants you to worship its emperor. There are two words used in the New Testament for poverty and one just kind of means poor. What is your Motivation for Moving Forward? 19:39). Be hopeful. He just came in. (Notice the similarities to the description of Christ in 1:17-18). I will be the first to admit to you that I do not like to suffer. The closest that I have ever come to feeling that kind of pressure was when I was perfusionist at Texas Heart Institute in Houston. Or they could have agreed to call Caesar Lord, knowing they could later repent. They are cannibals. They accused them of immorality because they greeted one another with a holy kiss. She began to just blast me for my faith. It would be fine if they just left me alone. You know that it is spiritual warfare where you get discouraged by things you hear said. Called: Jude 1-4. 1.3 Orthodoxy. The ultimate reward is life. 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. He is aware of the enemys plans and the afflictions we face (Hebrews 2:17-18). 1 John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Revelation 1-11 (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 69. She would not teach me. Even after I left to go on staff of Campus Crusade, she wrote me while I was in ministry. Satan does not want believers to study the book of Revelation because he does not want you to know your eternal hope. The local church still thrives there too. The city rivaled Ephesus in grandeur and influence. Ironically, our sufferings are far less of a venture and sentence than our poor choices. I wanted to hurt her and I wanted her to go to hell. What should you do? People did not want to buy from them because they were Christians. Q. 5. This second death means that those who fail to accept Christ will also be resurrected, only to die again in the "lake of fire." It is emphatic in the Greek. The Church of Smyrna: The Church that Remains Faithful Amidst Persecution (Revelation 2:8-11) Summary and Explanation: Smyrna was home to a large Jewish community hostile to Christians. Christians were viewed as antisocial elitists for refusing to participate in it. And finally, Smyrna was the only congregation besides Philadelphia that did not receive admonishment from Jesus. However, Jesus wanted to remind them that their sufferings would anoint them for a Christlike death and burial that could only result in an eternal resurrected life. All they had to do was burn a pinch of incense and say Caesar is lord, but many of the Christians refused to do so. Most American Christians today will not be called to die a martyrs death. Seven Churches of Revelation - Life, Hope & Truth There were a lot of gods and goddesses, in addition to the emperor worship. The second death will be eternal separation from God in torment. What caused them to turn out to be a church of bitterness and strife? The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Every time that God has taken me through a difficult period of life, whether it is just a trial or suffering, I can always look back after it is over and go, yes, Lord, I see how You used that in my life. 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. The ultimate enemy is Satan and that is pointed out in these verses. All Christians cannot stand on their own feet and you could not do this if you had to. At first, the emperors did not want anything to do with it, but by the time Domitian became the Roman emperor, he made it mandatory that all citizens would worship the emperor or face death. 2. How can the fact that Jesus knows us more intimately that we can imagine, and desires us to be in Him strengthen your faithfulness? How did you handle the situation? Do not be afraid. So, I opened the door and walked through the lab. We are called to be faithful, even if it means death. Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna. Every day there is just a wonderful surprise and you are just in a great season of life. The church in Smyrna and the church in Laodicea stand in stark contrast to each other (Rev. God knows and He cares for you. But every born-again Christian is called to die to the things of this world (Galatians 2:20, Luke 9:23), become a bondservant of Christ (1 Corinthians 7:22; Ephesians 6:6; 2 Timothy 2:24), and to consider all earthly things loss compared to the worth of knowing Jesus as Lord (Philippians 3:8). 6. The fragrance from Myrrh is only released from the sap through crushing. The 2 nd century Church bishop and . Perhaps there are people in the church who are just trying to make life hard for you, but they are not really your enemy. He casts us in the fires of trial in order to refine us and strengthen our character. 105 views, 1 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Buncombe Baptist Church Lexington: Welcome to the home of Intentional. When we work our lives and church with our corrupt personal power we are in fact abandoning His power and Fruit. Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? 2. Today, we look at the letter to the church at Smyrna, a church known for suffering. Nor will we suffer hardships like imprisonment for our faith, and very few of us will face the choice between our livelihood or a life with Christ. He died for one reason: his unyielding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You do not need to fear or worry about the future! Why do we do it? He always will exist. I had no choice. What additional insight do these verses give concerning the crown of life? 6. Before they lit the fire, he prayed, Oh Lord, almighty God, I thank you for counting me worthy of sharing the cup of Christ among the number of your martyrs. . I will tell you that I do not want to stand there before the throne of God empty-handed. by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," January 2, 2009 . What helps you endure? The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. What was Jesus' message to the church in Smyrna in Revelation? This will give great comfort to this church because this was a church that was going to be persecuted. Such was the case for the ancient church at Smyrna. I was just going through my mind of what I was going to say. It's incumbent on us to listen up and give heed to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. The Church of Smyrna: A Study of Revelations - A Beautiful Mess If so, how is that evident in your life? We became great friends. All rights reserved. Time and time again, wars, massacres, earthquakes, and plagues have threatened to destroy Smyrna, but the city has always bounced back and rebuilt. He begins this like He did the last letter and every letter afterward with the words, I know. He knows everything. The first thing He tells them is be fearless. Unlike Ephesus, which today is uninhabited, Smyrna is still a large city (modern Izmir in Turkey). Jesus is passionately concerned with how and what we do in our churches, and wants to be intimately involved. Life was hard for these Christians. He was martyred for his faith in A.D. 156. What does He mean when he refers to their being rich in the midst of poverty? But believers need not to fear death, because it will only result in their receiving a crown of life. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? We would go and sit in their homes. Laodicea lay in Phrygia's Lycus Valley, ten miles west of Colosse and six miles south of Hierapolis. The question we have to ask ourselves is, are we operating to the opposite tune that Jesus commands as this Synagogue and the church of Smyrna were starting to? In verse 11 he says, He who overcomes and again last week we talked about who the overcomer is. They were a synagogue of Satan because they were attacking the church. 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. He wants to stop us. They were once a vibrant, healthy church that was now starting to die. 2. Well, the second thing we need to remember is that the ultimate test is suffering. I do not agree with that. Christ not only knew their hearts, but He spoke to this flock using language and terms that held deep personal meaning for them. released through Familius Publishing in 2020. First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. We need to be ready to stay firm and to stand and resist his attacks. In verses 10 and 11, he makes two promises. Others roasted alive. Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. My entire senior year was spent at the hospital as we would rotate through labs. The problem was that it bugged them that I did not drink. That is how bad I felt. 3. Kingdom 103: Your Goals, His Purposeand Then What? Welcome to the home of Intentional Worship! - Facebook Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church. The second instruction He gives them is to be faithful until death. You are so dependent on this myth and you are crazy. When we seek to do His church on our own, we turn it into a church of evil, as diametrically opposed to Christ, as Satan is opposed to Him. I was doing an internship in medical technology at Baton Rouge General Hospital. I noticed it and after a few weeks I thought you know I think I need to say something to her. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. But, if we are really serious about going deeper, suffering is part of that process. I do not like it when life is hard. Throughout the history of the Church the more that the Church has been persecuted the greater its purity and strength. The Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) (NASB). It is just the beginning because He is the victor and He conquered death. Why would this description of Christ be especially encouraging for this church? 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. The Seven Churches of Revelation - Bible Meaning Explained I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. A person spends 35 pence from a small stall. They just put a rope around his hands. If someone slanders you, what do you do? Seldom has a decade gone by without a significant event ravishing the city. Most scholars agree that the name Smyrna was a reference to the myrrh, which was the chief export of the area. They were going to nail him to the stake, but he said they did not have to nail me, I will stay. Pt 3. These actions would have given the believers could a measure of favor with the government and secured a much easier life. Each of the letters to the churches is directly from Jesus and includes a piece of the description about Jesus from Revelation 1. So, there will be attacks on us to not study this Word, to not do this. And He genuinely cares about what happens to His children. That should leave us to want to bring everyone we know to be with us in Heaven. After repeatedly just not doing it, he said for 86 years I have served Him and He has done me no wrong. I went in and I just said, God I do not think I can do this. I walked out and thank goodness it was 3:30 which was the time to go home. When we suffer, we may think that Christ is absent, but He is not. Why are they treading on dangerous ground? Kingdom 103: Trusting in Mankind While Believing in God's Word? 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. 3. Kingdom 102: Kingdom of Light or Darkness? What two instructions did Jesus give them concerning the upcoming tribulation? They were despised. Their businesses were shut down. The first way they are suffering is through pressure. The Bible notes that slanderous accusations by Jews against Christians had led to Christian persecution by Roman authorities (Acts 14:2, 19: Acts 17:13). I lived in mainland China for four years and during those four years I studied the Chinese language of Mandarin. For example, the letter to Ephesus . We would always leave and say, you know I want that kind of relationship with God! It was probably only 15 minutes, but it seemed like hours. Life is hard. After introducing the first vision, John is commanded to write a letter to seven churches. The crown of victory belonged to the victor alone, and every other competitor was considered defeated. What was Jesus message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. The term may also refer to anyone who sacrifices their life or something of great value for the sake of principle. So, how is He involved in your church? The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study): What does this passage say? How does the fact that Jesus knows your pain and feels your pain help you persevere in times of trials and confusion? This approval will take place when we as believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and He will evaluate us for all the works that we have done on this earth. We would be amazed at their love for God and just the depth of their walk with him. 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. He assures His people that their continued faithfulness, even to the point of death, will earn them a reward that far outweighs their earthly trialsa victors crown. The crown of life is a special reward for endurance in your persecution. In Revelation, the Apostle John records Jesuss address to seven churches in Asia Minor. It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings. In fact, transactions in the world have never fruits and to lose belly been completely equal. Christians are not exempt from suffering. They already were in the midst of tribulation (v. 9) and Jesus had no rebuke or condemnation for them. As a matter of fact, she began to teach me. It was like the Word just pierced my heart. Property Characteristics; Geocodes; Building Permits; Real Estate Valuation. Scripture does not record the founding of the church of Smyrna. Hand over those difficult and overwhelming situations to the One who knows and cares. In verse 9 when He says, I know your tribulations. That word used here for tribulation literally means pressure. If you are only born once, you will die twice. If you are only born physically, you will die physically and you will die spiritually. Well, the first type of suffering they were going through is pressure. 11. Pt 2, The Unchanging Individual and the Unshakable Kingdom, In God's Kingdom, We Are Sons and Daughters, Not Servants, The Returning of the King and His Kingdom, The Birth of the Kingdom--Dominion Authority, The Experience of Living Under a Lord--Part 1, The Experience of Living Under a Lord--Part 2, The Lord's Motivation for His Divine Creation, God's Priority and Assignment for Mankind, It is Just What it is, the Good News of the Kingdom Pt 1, It is Just What it is, the Good News of the Kingdom Pt 2, Kings, Prophets--All Are Representatives of the Kingdom, Keys to the Kingdom, Understanding Its Concept, The Bible is the Constitution of God's Kingdom, Kingdom Perspective: The Eternal Message Pt 2, Christianity, a Religion, vs Kingdom Government, The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 1, The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 2, The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 3, Condemning is Not Our Responsibility Pt 2, Diluting the Kingdom Message While Being Deceived, Believers Who Are Blinded, Distracted and Deceived, Believers Who Are Blinded, Distracted and Deceived Pt 2, He Rules and Reigns: Citizenship in Kingdom Government, Only One Culture, One Mindset and One Spirit, The World Loves its Own, But We Belong to Him, Your Eternal Future Hinges on His Promise, Mankind's Refusal to Answer to His Creator, Kingdom 101: The Spirit of Dominion Part 1, Kingdom 101: The Spirit of Dominion Pt 2, Kingdom 101: Disobedience Is an Act of Treason, Kingdom 101: The Lord God Promised a Kingdom, Kingdom 101: His Intent of the Original Kingdom, Kingdom 101: We Are Government Citizens, Not Religious Members, Kingdom 101: Your Relationship or Your Religion, Kingdom 101: He Rules the Visible World From the Invisible Realm, Kingdom 101: He is the King of the Invisible and Visible Worlds, Kingdom 101: You--Mankind--Were Created to Rule, Kingdom 101: The Lord God's Contract with Man, Kingdom 101: Born to Rule, Not to be Ruled or Controlled, Kingdom 101: Man Shall Manage Earth, It's the King's Law, Kingdom 101: Man Shall Manage Earth, It's the King's Law Pt 2, Kingdom 101: The Lord God Requires a Body, Kingdom 101: Building a Kingdom Mentality, Kingdom 101: New Birth, But Not Converted, Kingdom 101: A Complete Change of Mentality, Kingdom 101: Making Preparations for the King, Kingdom 101: Making Preparation for the King Pt 2, Kingdom 101: Making Preparation for the King Pt 3, Kingdom 101: The Essence of a Kingdom and Its King, Kingdom 102: Honoring His Son in the Kingdom, Kingdom 102: A Kingdom Focus on the Beatitudes, Kingdom 102: Staying Focused on His Word in Time of Conflict, Kingdom 102: Setting Priorities While Living in Two Kingdoms, Kingdom 102: Characteristic of Kingdom Culture, Kingdom 102: Citizens Represent Their Kingdom and Culture, Kingdom 102: Kingdom Government Principles, Kingdom 102: The Kingdom Government and the Republic, Kingdom 102: Carrying Out the King's Policies and Principles, Kingdom 102: Fusing a Kingdom With a Democracy, Kingdom 102: Information: Knowledge From the King, Kingdom 102: Information--Knowledge From the King Pt 2, Kingdom 102: Knowledge is Very Important, Kingdom 102: Seek the Kingdom, Encourage One Another, Kingdom 102: Seek the Kingdom, A Divine Command.