We became great friends. The second death will be eternal separation from God in torment. What was Jesus message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation. 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. Be thou our vision. Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna. You see, Smyrna had a lot of religions. THE CHURCH OF SYMRNA(THE PERSECUTED CHURCH) - Pastor J.T Awe Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study): 1. Which attributes of God most comfort you in the midst of trials and why? Faith and fear are opposites. That should leave us to want to bring everyone we know to be with us in Heaven. They were reporting false allegations to the government about these believers, saying things which were not true about them. They got drunk. (PDF) SO 2022, nr 3 (23) DRUK - Academia.edu Satan is the ultimate enemy. Smyrna: The Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11 - Israel My Glory She hated Christians. I went home that night and I got angrier the more I thought about it. Kingdom 103: Where Does the Governor Reside? He always will exist. You are struggling. As a matter of fact, He promises us that if you are a believer, you will face suffering and you will have some persecution in your life (2 Tim. My exhortation to you on this one is to be ready, to be ready for the suffering that will come into your life. I lived in mainland China for four years and during those four years I studied the Chinese language of Mandarin. We are called to be faithful, even if it means death. . 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. 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. How can such a church be turned around? I was on staff at Texas Heart as one of the instructors through the University of Texas. 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. But, if we are really serious about going deeper, suffering is part of that process. by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," January 2, 2009 . If so, how is that evident in your life? Well, the second thing we need to remember is that the ultimate test is suffering. That is according to I Corinthians 3:13-14 which talks about that approval, that standing before him, to be evaluated for our works. from A.D. c. 100-316; Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17), 'where Satan dwells' is suggestive of the church mixing with the world . Is there anything in your life that is causing you to be fearful? The trade unions would have nothing to do with them. It's incumbent on us to listen up and give heed to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. According to Revelation 20:14-15 and 21:8, what is the second death and who would experience it? Slander damages our reputation. Just trust the One who holds your life in His hands. There was no rebuke for this church and because they were faithful until death, their candlestick has never been removed. Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? She went on and on and on about my faith in Jesus Christ. For example, the letter to Ephesus . You would listen to these believers pray and you would just think they are on a different level than we are. How can the fact that Jesus knows us more intimately that we can imagine, and desires us to be in Him strengthen your faithfulness? Even after I left to go on staff of Campus Crusade, she wrote me while I was in ministry. 12. There were a lot of gods and goddesses, in addition to the emperor worship. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 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. The members of the Smyrna church, though, are facing persecution because they are more focused on what God thinks than what man thinks. Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. He does not want you to know that Jesus wins and that he loses. They were once a vibrant, healthy church that was now starting to die. Maybe you are in a season that everything is going great and you are just loving life. Pt 1, How Did We Lose the Gospel of the Kingdom? Some suffered the Roman crucifixion, a horrible way to die. Annette has also written curriculum for character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. How does the fact that Jesus knows your pain and feels your pain help you persevere in times of trials and confusion? 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. It reminds us of five things that we must remember if we are going to suffer well. They are cannibals. They accused them of immorality because they greeted one another with a holy kiss. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed? In fact, transactions in the world have never fruits and to lose belly been completely equal. They were going to nail him to the stake, but he said they did not have to nail me, I will stay. 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. 3. Smyrna -- The Suffering Church | Bible.org Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? The Message to the Church at Smyrna. Spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. The church in Smyrna and the church in Laodicea stand in stark contrast to each other (Rev. How does this apply to me? All Christians cannot stand on their own feet and you could not do this if you had to. Smyrna - Life, Hope & Truth In Revelation, the Apostle John records Jesuss address to seven churches in Asia Minor. Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrha sap-like substance extracted from tree bark. Jesus was reminding these suffering Christians in Smyrna who may be facing death in the near future. Unlike Ephesus, which today is uninhabited, Smyrna is still a large city (modern Izmir in Turkey). It was almost as if the city was trying to starve them out. Today, we look at the letter to the church at Smyrna, a church known for suffering. The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. (NASB). Let me tell you one other thing. What should you do? Why are they treading on dangerous ground? He is the One who overcame life and death for our benefit, and when we seek to run His church our way, we embarrass and dishonor Him and His Way. The name of Smyrna was equated with myrrh. I was kind of scared. Also, death is mentioned three times in these four verses. We will become lifesavers, thrown to those who are drowning. Maybe someone you love is hurting. 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. Like myrrh, produced by crushing a fragrant plant, the church at Smyrna, crushed by persecution, gave off a fragrant aroma of faithfulness to God.2. 5. 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). All rights reserved. 4. They could not advance in jobs. But, you know, they heard every word. How does this fact strengthen your faithfulness? 2 Corinthians 4:4, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=43133&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=43139&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=43138&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=43137&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0. It is emphatic in the Greek. Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. The period 1923-1924 was followed by the . Very few of us today know that kind of pressure, but they refused to worship Caesar. Kingdom 103: Smyrna, Its Believers' Characteristics The fragrance from Myrrh is only released from the sap through crushing. It was like the Word just pierced my heart. (Notice the similarities to the description of Christ in 1:17-18). 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. Smyrna: Faithful Until Death - Church of the Great God Their enemies can only take their lives once. They will only last for a moment in life of the blessings that you will have for eternity. They had no love for God. (NASB). First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. It was used to embalm the dead in the first century (Jn. What two instructions did Jesus give them concerning the upcoming tribulation? Pagan worship, especially of Zeus but also of numerous other deities flourished there. Rev. John addresses the Church in Smyrna. If someone slanders you, what do you do? He is not just a Savior and/or best Friend; He gives us life, holds our lives, and will judge our lives. He was martyred for his faith in A.D. 156. 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. 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. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. Well, you know, God never promises us as a believer that life is going to always be fun. They made up whatever they could and went to the government and they were persecuted. Mailing address: Kingdom Citizens, 1027 S Pendleton St Suite B-242 Easley, SC 29642, Kingdom Concepts: Understanding Religion Part 1, Kingdom Concepts: Understanding Religion Part 2, Past Tragedies In History While Seeking the Kingdom, The Contrasts Between a Kingdom and a Democracy, Christ's Message Was on His Kingdom, It's What He Preached, The Kingdom of God Versus The Government of Man, Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Territory, The Name Christian Is Neither God Sent Nor God Given, The Unshakable Kingdom and Unchanging Person, Everything That God Created Has Potential, Being Obedient, Is Much More Important Than Sacrifice, How Did We Lose the Gospel of the Kingdom? These early believers could have participated in a few cultural customslike sprinkling incense on the fire that burned in front of the emperors statue. Kingdom Citizen, not "Christian"--What's In a Name? Finally, Jesus warns His people to expect more suffering, persecution, and testing. 11. Kingdom 103: Honoring the Father Through the Son, Kingdom 103: Living in the Kingdom Culture, Kingdom 103: Power and Authority in His Name, Kingdom 103: Many Little Kingdoms, But Only One is True, Kingdom 103: Kingdom Citizens Are Examples. Jesus is passionately concerned with how and what we do in our churches, and wants to be intimately involved. 9. 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. Why is Smyrna being praised? 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. Another warning for us is do not let him use you. I had no choice. Appreciation for this transcription work goes to Marilyn Fine. When Polycarp, the pastor of the church in Smyrna, was commanded to worship Caesar and renounce Christ in 155 A.D., he refused and said, Eighty and six years have I served Him, and in nothing hath He wronged me; and how, then, can I blaspheme my King, who saved me? As the fire was kindled around his feet to burn him at the stake, Polycarp was heard singing and praising the Son of God. The use of the strong term, blasphemy, here indicates how evil, how wicked, how intense this slander was. While there, the Holy Spirit spoke to John and instructed him to record everything Jesus was about to reveal via a vision. You cannot do them at the same time. They had no food. (NASB). When we work our lives and church with our corrupt personal power we are in fact abandoning His power and Fruit. He is an enemy who will stop at nothing. It is believed that a man named Polycarp was the pastor of this church at Smyrna when this letter was written. ), 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.