characteristics of the church of smyrna characteristics of the church of smyrna
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. 3. You see, Smyrna had a lot of religions. What was Jesus message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation? How did you handle the situation? It was the loveliest of all the cities. What does this passage mean? In verses 10 and 11, he makes two promises. If so, how is that evident in your life? I was on staff at Texas Heart as one of the instructors through the University of Texas. 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. Into Thy Word Ministries. And whenever we do, the vision of Jesus standing among us in all His glory, and the words of promise He speaks, will sustain and guide us.7, I hope you all have had a great week studying about suffering. But, the second type they were dealing with was poverty. He has always existed. 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). He mentions four ways that this church is suffering because He knows exactly how they are suffering. Because they did they were considered to be unpatriotic traitors: you do not love Rome. Thus they were tortured. 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. In Revelation 2:9 He says, , I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. He was faithful until death and he lost his physical life, but he gained so much more which brings us to the fifth reminder to help us suffer well. They got drunk. He does not want you to know that he loses. She went on and on and on and I was dumbfounded. Just trust the One who holds your life in His hands. Allow it to deepen your relationship with Christ, not push you away from Him. How can this give you hope for your church? When we suffer, we may think that Christ is absent, but He is not. released through Familius Publishing in 2020. 5 Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, June 25. The local church still thrives there too. All rights reserved. Even after I left to go on staff of Campus Crusade, she wrote me while I was in ministry. In Jesus name, amen. The fourth thing we need to remember is that the ultimate solution is trust. He has witnessed their continual affliction and the slander theyve suffered from those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. The fact that these hardships have not escaped their Saviors attention surely would have strengthened the Body and served as a loving reminder of Jesuss abiding presence. I was kind of scared. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It was mighty. Life was hard for these Christians. Death is that separation of the soul and the physical body. Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna. Why is Smyrna being praised? Smyrna was a hotbed for pagan worship. However, the church was wealthy, not in the temporal things that had brought their city fame. It would protect them. Also, death is mentioned three times in these four verses. But, if we are really serious about going deeper, suffering is part of that process. 1. It was used to embalm the dead in the first century (Jn. Read Revelation 2:8-11 (Our focus will be on verse 8 today, but read the entire letter to get an overview.). I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. It is not a question of, will you suffer? The question is, how will you handle it when it comes?. 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? 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 was so bitter. It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings. We Were Created to Inhabit This Earth Part 1, We Were Created to Inhabit This Earth Part 2, Kingdom 102: The Kingdom of God is Relevant, Kingdom 102: Knowing How to Apply the Kingdom Concept, Kingdom 103: He Needs No Assistance in Keeping His Promise, Kingdom 103: Seven Last Days Churches and Their Believers' Characteristics, Kingdom 103: Reconsidering the End Times, Kingdom 104: Misrepresenting the Kingdom Gospel. He does not want you to know that Jesus wins and that he loses. So with that context in mind, let's take a look at Revelation 2: 8-11. Christians are not exempt from suffering. When we work our lives and church with our corrupt personal power we are in fact abandoning His power and Fruit. The ultimate enemy is Satan and that is pointed out in these verses. Most of us will never die for our faith and I hope we do not. Hand over those difficult and overwhelming situations to the One who knows and cares. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. But, you know, they heard every word. Slander damages our reputation. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. But instead, through their surrendered lives, the Holy Spirit empowered the Smyrnaean Christians to choose spiritual wealth over worldly gain. 6. 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 casts us in the fires of trial in order to refine us and strengthen our character. Take some time to praise God for who He is in light of the Scripture you read today. They had no means whatsoever. God knows and He cares for you. If I am trusting God then I should not be afraid. I know your afflictions and your povertyyet you are rich! 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. My exhortation for us with this is that we should be thankful. List reasons why those Jews were not considered real Jews in Jesus eyes. The Eastern Orthodox Church, also called the Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox . My time came to rotate through that lab. What it tells us about Smyrna and its Christians has big implications for us today. God is very much aware of all that is going on in your life and is not surprised by anything. Jesus was reminding these suffering Christians in Smyrna who may be facing death in the near future. The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study): What does this passage say? But, Jesus reminded them that they were poor here on this earth but you are so rich. 7 Richards, L., The Teacher's Commentary (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1987), 1075. They already were in the midst of tribulation (v. 9) and Jesus had no rebuke or condemnation for them. She never came to the Lord, but I thank God for that roommate who kept me from making a huge mistake in my flesh and my anger. 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. You do not need to fear or worry about the future! 2. We are called to be faithful, even if it means death. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the letter to the second church: the church of Smyrna. We will become lifesavers, thrown to those who are drowning. He is with us fully. We will suffer in this life. I came back that fall and I was so on fire for the Lord. Be hopeful. Such was the case for the ancient church at Smyrna. First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. We would go and sit in their homes. She would not spend one minute helping me, somebody who had thrown their life away believing in this fantasy of Jesus Christ. I went home that night and I got angrier the more I thought about it. Another warning for us is do not let him use you. They had no way to make a living. He knows us more intimately that we can imagine and desires that we be in Him and glorify Him fully. Christians were viewed as antisocial elitists for refusing to participate in it. We know from historical records that the church at Smyrna persevered in its faithfulness. So, there will be attacks on us to not study this Word, to not do this. Do not let him use you. Or they could have agreed to call Caesar Lord, knowing they could later repent. 4. The letter to the church at Smyrna is unique for several reasons. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! She read, He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. (NIV). martyr, one who voluntarily suffers death rather than deny their religion by words or deeds; such action is afforded special, institutionalized recognition in most major religions of the world. Whatever it is, it is a hard season of life. This article is part of our larger End Times Resource Library. I was ready to share Christ with anybody and, you know, I could handle this lady. He is an enemy who will stop at nothing. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. 1.2 Name. It was already being persecuted. 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. They were boycotted. Property Characteristics; Geocodes; Building Permits; Real Estate Valuation. Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously. 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. With a population of over 3 million, Smyrna continues to thrive today as the modern Turkish city of Izmir. If you receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people. Oswald Chambers5. We need to really commit to pray. It is because the soul is no longer there. What does He mean when he refers to their being rich in the midst of poverty? Kingdom 102: Kingdom of Light or Darkness? (NASB). 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. She also has two B.S. 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. I had no choice. I do not think I can be like You. I went into that lab and got there before she did. Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. I lived in mainland China for four years and during those four years I studied the Chinese language of Mandarin. 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). So, they were infatuated with the Roman government and they worshipped the emperors. It has been described as the most beautiful of the seven cities. I understand. He can walk right through it with them. They are cannibals. They accused them of immorality because they greeted one another with a holy kiss. The church at Smyrna was to undergo some intense persecution and tribulation. What causes a Christian to become belligerent against Christ and a church to turn on one another, forsaking their call and duty? All Christians cannot stand on their own feet and you could not do this if you had to. 2. Jesus lived life in purity and sinlessness for our benefit, to enable us to have eternal life and partake in His fellowship. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. The letter to the church at Smyrna is unique for several reasons. 2. What is your Motivation for Moving Forward? 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. 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. That is all they have done, but your spiritual life continues on forever. Jesus had a reason for mentioning this fact. They were dirt poor. The Apostle John was arrested for preaching the Gospel and exiled to Romes penal colony on the island of Patmos, near Asia Minor. Pt 1, Kingdom 104: What Profit Has Righteousness in the Kingdom? He is not just a Savior and/or best Friend; He gives us life, holds our lives, and will judge our lives. So, I opened the door and walked through the lab. If they kill you, they just ended your physical life. The third thing we need to remember is that the ultimate enemy is Satan. Are you secure concerning your eternal destiny? 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? The first thing He tells them is be fearless. There was coming another form of suffering and that is prison in verse 10: Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for 10 days. Throughout history, Smyrna has suffered its fair share of hardship. Well, Smyrna lay 40 miles almost due north of Ephesus. As I said in your study this week that fear and trust are opposites. You are so dependent on this myth and you are crazy. He just came in. The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. 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.
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