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. Just say Caesar is lord to save your life. And he would not do it. Some suffered the Roman crucifixion, a horrible way to die. 7. We know from historical records that the church at Smyrna persevered in its faithfulness. Why would there be a need to be tested further? I went in and I just said, God I do not think I can do this. Hope-Full: Revelation 4 by Calvary Bible Church- Flagstaff 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. My challenge is that we need to be on guard. As a result, the Smyrnaean believers lived in genuine poverty for their faith. The first thing He promises is that they will receive the crown of life for being faithful until death. I want that kind of prayer life. But then we would always say, I dont want to go through what they went through. You see, the road to getting there is through suffering. He wants to discourage us. If I am trusting God then I should not be afraid. There was no rebuke for this church and because they were faithful until death, their candlestick has never been removed. 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). 8. Well, the first type of suffering they were going through is pressure. We will become lifesavers, thrown to those who are drowning. But, you know, they heard every word. Christianity has never completely left this city. 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. I. Jesus' Resurrection Gives Us Hope. 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. He who overcomes is any believer, anyone who has placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his savior. Because I was on staff here and was one of the instructors, I had to go to all the parties, all the festivities, and all the graduation dinners. When fear grips the human heart, and our very life is threatened, nothing can bring tranquility like faith in Him who is both the first and the last.3. Why do we do it? The Message to the Church at Smyrna. The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. They had no food. I do not think I can be like You. I went into that lab and got there before she did. Also, death is mentioned three times in these four verses. How then can I blaspheme my king and my savior? Well, they threatened to bring out live beasts and he said to bring them on. They might face death. They were boycotted. I need strength. She started and began by reading from Isaiah 53 about Jesus the suffering servant. We need to look beyond the trial. The purpose of this crown or crowns is not for you. 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. She used the Word of God to just muzzle me. 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. Right now, I hate this woman. So, I got up the next morning before dawn and I took a walk. 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. It is the only one of the seven cities still in flourishing condition. Some can endure physical sufferings under tribulation and poverty, yet few can . How Are the End Times Described in 2 Timothy? 2. The Church of Smyrna - Church Leadership 4 MacArthur, New Testament Commentary, 71. The Seven Churches of Revelation - Bible Meaning Explained Maybe you have a financial issue. They did not look at my life and go, wow, I love her life! They were looking at my life going, what a loser, you know, she cannot even get drunk. It was hard, but that still is not the kind of pressure that these Smyrna Christians went through. The fourth thing we need to remember is that the ultimate solution is trust. If they kill you, they just ended your physical life. Thank you for being that ultimate victor who won victory over death so we might have life eternal. It is eternal torment. Why is it that when we seek to run "His" church "our" way, we embarrass and dishonor Him and His Way? Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 7 Churches of Revelation: What Do They Signify? - Learn Religions 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. Smyrna: Faithful Until Death - Church of the Great God The second death is spending eternity in hell, separated from God forever. 3:12). He does not want you to go deeper in Gods Word. Most American Christians today will not be called to die a martyrs death. I do not agree with that. 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. The ultimate reward is life. First, we serve a God who knows, sees, and is with us through every fiery trial and dark night (Isaiah 43:2). According to Revelation 20:14-15 and 21:8, what is the second death and who would experience it? Jesus has no censure for the church Well, you know, God never promises us as a believer that life is going to always be fun. The Church of Smyrna You are struggling. Called: Jude 1-4. 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. Absolutely nothing is hidden from our all-knowing, all-seeing God. Then, they would want to pray with us. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. . We must not forget that the characteristics of all these Periods continue on in the Church down to the end. Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed childrens and youth programs for more than 20 years. These Jews were being used by him to carry out the works of Satan. Among them, 347 clergymen of the Smyrna region and Metropolitan of Smyrna Chrysostomos were tortured and martyred. With the warning comes the exhortation that they should not succumb to fear. In Him, we are more than overcomers. 4. Do not be afraid. What similarities to Revelation 2:8-11 do you see in this passage? Undoubtedly, the church of Smyrna could have justified any syncretistic actions to preserve their livelihood and lives by proof texted scripture or by claiming that their compromise was for the greater good of tolerance, love, and grace. 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.. Description. 2. Their poverty was most likely due to their faith in Jesus Christ, just like the Christians in Ephesus that we talked about last week. 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. (Look also at the story of Job in Job 1.). It was like the Word just pierced my heart. I want to begin by asking you a question. The church in Smyrna and the church in Laodicea stand in stark contrast to each other (Rev. Jesus thus says in effect, you know what, I know what it is like to be persecuted by your enemies. The characteristics of the church as seen in verses 9-10 are its tribulation and poverty and the insidious existence of a synagogue of Satan. released through Familius Publishing in 2020. The pressure came with these students. (Ephesians 1 is a good reminder of our riches in Christ.). He says, Do not fear.. Why does God allow Satan to bring tribulation in our lives if God is ultimately in control? Well, they were under pressure from several forces. 2. (NASB). The second thing He promises is eternal life. Their enemies can only take their lives once. God is very much aware of all that is going on in your life and is not surprised by anything. I went into the bathroom and I sat down and I cried. Ch 1 Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? The Bible tells us that. Welcome to the home of Intentional Worship! - Facebook Ironically, our sufferings are far less of a venture and sentence than our poor choices. For the first He says in Revelation 2:10, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Ch 1 Pt 2, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? I was doing an internship in medical technology at Baton Rouge General Hospital. If we are going to suffer well, the first thing we have to remember is that Jesus Christ is the ultimate victor. What harm can it do? She would not teach me. That is a way of worshipping Him, showing honor to Him. (NASB). Finally, Jesus warns His people to expect more suffering, persecution, and testing. He casts us in the fires of trial in order to refine us and strengthen our character. They had no way to make a living. Others roasted alive. Its streets were wide and paved. Even Jesuss greeting to the church reveals His loving, personal care. I just thought, you have no idea.. Life is hard. Oh, I do not think she should be doing that or I do not think he should be. Be careful. 5. 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. How have you seen God use trials and suffering in your life? How is Jesus described in verse 8 and which attribute(s) of God does His description emphasize? What are some reasons God allows suffering in our lives? 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. My human flesh cries out and I will do everything I can to avoid it. 1. 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. Well, the second thing we need to remember is that the ultimate test is suffering. Oct 04, 2021 41:20. 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. Sermon on Revelation 2:8-11 - The Church Of Smyrna - Study and Obey This article is part of our larger End Times Resource Library. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Smyrna was a proud Eastern Orthodox Church - Wikipedia What does God want me to share with someone? I was ready to share Christ with anybody and, you know, I could handle this lady. They will only last for a moment in life of the blessings that you will have for eternity. What Does God Say about the Church at Smyrna? As I said in your study this week that fear and trust are opposites. 1 John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Revelation 1-11 (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 69. I had no choice. Much of Smyrnas social life revolved around pagan worship. Others were taken to the Coliseum and fed to angry, hungry lions. Clarence Larkin :: Chapter 22. The Seven Churches - Blue Letter Bible He knows the thoughts and inclinations of our hearts (Psalm 94:11). Laodicea lay in Phrygia's Lycus Valley, ten miles west of Colosse and six miles south of Hierapolis. My exhortation for us with this is that we should be thankful. 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. The substance was used to make fragrant perfumes and anointing oils (Exodus 30:23) and was used in ancient burial preparations (John 19:39). I walked out and thank goodness it was 3:30 which was the time to go home. 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. 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? 2. I do not like it when life is hard. Even if these believers face death at the hand of the persecutors, it is not the end for them. Spend some time thanking Jesus for what He endured for us. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings. The people loved the Roman government because it was strong. 2007 - 2023 ChurchLeadership.Org - All Rights Reserved. You cannot do them at the same time. The ultimate reward is life. Be faithful even if it leads to your physical death. For example, the letter to Ephesus . So, they were infatuated with the Roman government and they worshipped the emperors. 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. The Seven Churches of Revelation: Why They | Zondervan Academic 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. Why Did Jesus Give Believers the Beatitudes? 1.2 Name. Christ not only knew their hearts, but He spoke to this flock using language and terms that held deep personal meaning for them. What season of life are you in today? What Do We Know About the Ancient city of . I was not Crickett then. in Christian Education with a focus on Women's Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. 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. They had sufferings to overcome and learn from, but most chose to run the course their way and tarnish His Way. (PDF) SO 2022, nr 3 (23) DRUK - Academia.edu Today, we look at the letter to the church at Smyrna, a church known for suffering. What should you do? He knows the suffering that you are going through. It reminds us of five things that we must remember if we are going to suffer well. Smyrna: The Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11. Also, death is mentioned three times in these four verses. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History). Slander damages our reputation. 6. 4. (How does Romans 2:28-29 relate to this? But we do experience our own pressures, suffering, and afflictions. What was Jesus' message to the church in Smyrna in Revelation? 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. 6. The first way they are suffering is through pressure. Well, Smyrna lay 40 miles almost due north of Ephesus. Very few of us today know that kind of pressure, but they refused to worship Caesar. 2006 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. 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. Seven churches of Asia - Wikipedia I shut the door and I stood there. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. 7 Richards, L., The Teacher's Commentary (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1987), 1075. So, I would go to these dinners hating it because all they would do was just drink and drink. Some were boiled alive in oil. This second death means that those who fail to accept Christ will also be resurrected, only to die again in the "lake of fire." If they sought praise from menif they wanted to please the people around themthey would not be so readily targeted for persecution. She began to just blast me for my faith. How does 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9 and James 2:5 shed light on this? They cannot coexist. The crown of life is one of several crowns mentioned in Scripture. Oh, youre too good for us. Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrha sap-like substance extracted from tree bark. How would you encourage someone who is being persecuted for his faith or going through a tough time? More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! She hated Christians. You know, none of us will probably be persecuted for our faith any worse than that. We try to go it alone when Christ is beckoning us to trust in Him, go His Way, and give our fears to Him. What can be done to invite Him further into your church? Second death. 4. There are two words used in the New Testament for poverty and one just kind of means poor. Jesus lived life in purity and sinlessness for our benefit, to enable us to have eternal life and partake in His fellowship. 7. All Christians cannot stand on their own feet and you could not do this if you had to. The second death will be eternal separation from God in torment. The name of Smyrna was equated with myrrh. He is like a lion prowling around looking for someone he could use. First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. Whether it is because of our faith or whether it is because He wants to deepen our faith, we will suffer. 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. Garlands of victory were bestowed only to the highest achieving athletes. Have I done something to offend you? 10. How do these verses help us understand the meaning of Christ as He who was dead, and has come to life? Maybe those are metaphors. It went on and on. It was the loveliest of all the cities. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. I have heard it said and I put this up on the screen to help you, If you are born twice, you will only die once. If you are born physically and then later you are born spiritually, you will only die once and that will be when you die physically, (unless the Lord comes back, in which case you would not die at all). They were going to nail him to the stake, but he said they did not have to nail me, I will stay. In Jesus name, amen. The second instruction He gives them is to be faithful until death. ATTOM AVM; Home Equity Data . My time came to rotate through that lab. Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church. I was on staff at Texas Heart as one of the instructors through the University of Texas. We need to be ready to stay firm and to stand and resist his attacks. Pt 3. While there, the Holy Spirit spoke to John and instructed him to record everything Jesus was about to reveal via a vision. The problem was that it bugged them that I did not drink. Kingdom 103: Where Does the Governor Reside? 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. It has been described as the most beautiful of the seven cities. The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. ), 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. So with that context in mind, let's take a look at Revelation 2: 8-11. In verse 11 he says, He who overcomes and again last week we talked about who the overcomer is. Who is it that overcomes the world? 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. What does He mean when he refers to their being rich in the midst of poverty? This is true of the Evangelistic and . In verse 9 when He says, I know your tribulations. That word used here for tribulation literally means pressure. John addresses the Church in Smyrna. After college (the first time), Crickett was on staff with C More. 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. I had just started walking with the Lord that year before and I had gone on a beach project with Campus Crusade that summer. Smyrna was named for the word myrrh, an aromatic gum resin that is bitter to the taste but sweet to the smell. 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. Jesus gave each one a short "report card." Ephesus had "abandoned the love it had at first," (Revelation 2:4, ESV ). Because they did they were considered to be unpatriotic traitors: you do not love Rome. Thus they were tortured. It is emphatic in the Greek. Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. I understand. He can walk right through it with them. In what ways are you rich in Christ? Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self. 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. 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. Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church. Such was the case for the ancient church at Smyrna. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
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