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characteristics of the church of smyrna

    characteristics of the church of smyrna

    1. Called: Jude 1-4. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? It was probably six weeks. He knows exactly what you are going through. Perfusionists, for some reason, or at least the ones I know, love to drink and party. I do not like it when life is hard. With the warning comes the exhortation that they should not succumb to fear. The ultimate enemy is Satan and that is pointed out in these verses. People did not want to buy from them because they were Christians. 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. In Revelation, the Apostle John records Jesuss address to seven churches in Asia Minor. She went on and on and on and I was dumbfounded. Today it is called Izmir, Turkey. Others roasted alive. . 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. 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. As we look at this letter to Smyrna, this letter gives us insight into suffering. She would not spend one minute helping me, somebody who had thrown their life away believing in this fantasy of Jesus Christ. Why does God allow Satan to bring tribulation in our lives if God is ultimately in control? And finally, Smyrna was the only congregation besides Philadelphia that did not receive admonishment from Jesus. He just came in. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) Perhaps the most well-known of the seven letters addresses the church in Laodicea. I would leave every night saying, God, why do I have to go to these events? because I did not feel like I was having a witness. 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. Smyrna was a seaport city about 35 miles north of Ephesus. 7. (1 Corinthians 15:50-57). I. Jesus' Resurrection Gives Us Hope. Christ not only knew their hearts, but He spoke to this flock using language and terms that held deep personal meaning for them. It would be fine if they just left me alone. We would go and sit in their homes. They were Jews by race and that is it. Satan had plans to cast some of the Smyrna church into prison. What else do we learn about those over whom the second death has no power according to Revelation 20:6? Even though He died, He conquered death and He rose again. Facing Life Successfully and Effectively Pt 1, Facing Life Successfully and Effectively Pt 2, The Power of Motive and Faith in God's Word, Your Faith in Jesus the Christ: the Work of God, Your Faith in Jesus the Christ: the Work of God Pt 2, The Challenges of Your Faith In God's Written Word, God Created Marriage as a Foundational Institution, Populating the Earth Wasn't the Primary Purpose of Marriage, Citizenship Pt 2--Becoming a Kingdom Citizen, Citizenship Pt 3-The Concept of Dual Citizenship, Citizenship Pt 4: The Invisible Citizenship, The Kingdom Versus the Government of Man Pt 2, The Birth of the Kingdom, The Spirit of Dominion, Ruling the Visible World From the Invisible Realm, We Were Born to Rule, But Not Over Each Other, Jesus' Assignment Was to Restore the Kingdom, The Kingdom--Preached In Word, Demonstrated In Power, Understanding Principles of Kingdom Culture, Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Culture Pt 1, Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Culture Pt 2, Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Culture Pt 3, Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 1, Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 2, Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 3, Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 4, The Kingdom: Social and Economic Differences, Kingdom Culture vs The Culture of Christianity, Change Is Inevitable When Obeying the King's Word, Faith in the Written Word and Hardship Pt 1, Faith In the Written Word and Hardship Pt 2, The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 1, The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 2, The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 3, The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 4, The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 5, The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 6, The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 7, The Principles for the Nature of Your Purpose, The Lord Provides for His Purpose, Not for Our Plans Pt1, The Lord Provides for His Purpose, Not for Our Plans Pt 2, It's Imperative That One Knows Their Purpose, Your Purpose is Being Accomplished Through Christ. I never wanted to open my mouth to pray because my words seemed so shallow compared to the prayers of these godly men and women who had suffered greatly. If so, how is that evident in your life? Even if these believers face death at the hand of the persecutors, it is not the end for them. What it tells us about Smyrna and its Christians has big implications for us today. Their enemies can only take their lives once. He begins this like He did the last letter and every letter afterward with the words, I know. He knows everything. That should leave us to want to bring everyone we know to be with us in Heaven. Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed childrens and youth programs for more than 20 years. Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death. ), 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. You are so in love with the Lord. Christ will use us in the plights of others as hands to grab on to and pull others up when they are sinking. Then, I got my purse and I drove home. Oct 04, 2021 41:20. Today, it is known as Izmir, Turkey. They said you make light of that then we will burn you at the stake! The Jews who hated him gathered the wood for the fire. 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. 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. Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death. I had no choice. Well, Smyrna lay 40 miles almost due north of Ephesus. Thank you for the strength that You give us when our flesh just does not have it. I had decided how I was going to handle this. Christians were viewed as antisocial elitists for refusing to participate in it. Jesus is passionately concerned with how and what we do in our churches, and wants to be intimately involved. Janene Keeth (nicknamed "Crickett") holds a M.A. Kingdom 103: On What Foundation Does Your Faith Stand? Property Reports > U.S. > Georgia > Cobb County > Smyrna > 30080 > Church St > 975 . Whether it is because of our faith or whether it is because He wants to deepen our faith, we will suffer. They had no heart for God. Garlands of victory were bestowed only to the highest achieving athletes. Their businesses were shut down. My exhortation for us with this is that we should be thankful. We can have confidence as believers that we will spend eternity with God and not face the second death. You and I and our congregation may not be a Smyrna church just now. 3 Stott, What Christ Thinks of the Church, 44. So, I caught all kinds of grief, you know, comments made like: oh, you would fit well into grandmothers generation. You are really out of touch with reality today. Just cruel comments. They were despised. He is an enemy who will stop at nothing. In what ways are you rich in Christ? But, the second type they were dealing with was poverty. 6. All rights reserved. In 1 Peter 4:12-19, what are some lessons for life concerning suffering? It is emphatic in the Greek. And He genuinely cares about what happens to His children. 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). How do you respond to suffering and tribulation? Have you experienced suffering in your life where it was difficult for a time to stand firm? The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study): What does this passage say? 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. I do not want to simply stand there. When we refuse to heed His call, it will just be a short time until we are thrown away, given to the devil, since we are working for him anyway. Yet, He is there, guiding us with a beacon that says. I had just started walking with the Lord that year before and I had gone on a beach project with Campus Crusade that summer. 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. 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. 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. He died for one reason: his unyielding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. He mentions four ways that this church is suffering because He knows exactly how they are suffering. This second death means that those who fail to accept Christ will also be resurrected, only to die again in the "lake of fire." You know that it is spiritual warfare where you get discouraged by things you hear said. But believers need not to fear death, because it will only result in their receiving a crown of life. Explain your answer. (NASB). Rest in His presence. We will suffer in this life. The Holy Spirit is Christ's presence on Earth, forever guiding and convicting to keep his followers on the right path. I need strength. She started and began by reading from Isaiah 53 about Jesus the suffering servant. Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. 12. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. Olympian games were held in Smyrna. 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. It is a gift. Each of the letters to the churches is directly from Jesus and includes a piece of the description about Jesus from Revelation 1. That is a way of worshipping Him, showing honor to Him. The crown of life is one of several crowns mentioned in Scripture. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victors crown.(Revelation 2:8-10). According to Revelation 20:14-15 and 21:8, what is the second death and who would experience it? Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church. The members of the Smyrna church, though, are facing persecution because they are more focused on what God thinks than what man thinks. The pressure came with these students. He wants to discourage us. It was used to embalm the dead in the first century (Jn. 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. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:11). The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Verses 9 and 10 also go on to tell us a third thing we need to remember in order to suffer well. Some can endure physical sufferings under tribulation and poverty, yet few can . 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. How can the fact that Jesus knows us more intimately that we can imagine, and desires us to be in Him strengthen your faithfulness? 5. How Are the End Times Described in 2 Timothy? We would always leave and say, you know I want that kind of relationship with God! 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. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Smyrna was a proud Most of us will never die for our faith and I hope we do not. So, I went into her office, which was at the back of the lab. Their poverty was most likely due to their faith in Jesus Christ, just like the Christians in Ephesus that we talked about last week. If you have ever gone to a funeral or to a visitation and you have looked in a coffin to view the body, you see that physical body, but you know something is missing. We need to really commit to pray. One source is they were under constant pressure from the government to worship the Roman emperor because, you see, the city of Smyrna was a strong ally of Rome. Satan is the ultimate enemy. God is very much aware of all that is going on in your life and is not surprised by anything. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. How can this give you hope for your church? This was true of this church, all the seven churches, the church throughout the ages, and churches today. Are you a God pleaser more than a people pleaser? As a result, the Smyrnaean believers lived in genuine poverty for their faith. c. Slanderings. What season of life are you in today? Smyrna, originally peopled by Asiatics known as the Lelages, is located 56 kilometers (35 miles) from Ephesus and 79 kilometers (49 miles) from Pergamos (Pergamon). Do not fear. Even after I left to go on staff of Campus Crusade, she wrote me while I was in ministry. What is your Motivation for Moving Forward? Some Jews, like the Sadducees, believed this was annihilation (John 5:28-29; Rev. (Look also at the story of Job in Job 1.). 9. What are the other crowns and to what are they referring? We may not be worshipping Satan, but when we run the church by our ways and agendas, we are, in fact, worshipping Satan, because Christ is not only ignored, He is being opposed! 10. What are some reasons God allows suffering in our lives? What two instructions did Jesus give them concerning the upcoming tribulation? So, I would go to these dinners hating it because all they would do was just drink and drink. It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings. I went into the bathroom and I sat down and I cried. In verse 11 he says, He who overcomes and again last week we talked about who the overcomer is. She prayed and asked God to give me strength to go in the next day and to handle this the way that Jesus would. How wonderful it would be if our church received an encouraging letter from Jesus, especially if it contained no criticism. Of the seven churches, Smyrna is one of two that received no reproof from Jesus, and it is the only church of the seven that still exists today, After His ascension, Rome became increasingly hostile toward Jesuss followers. The Eastern Orthodox Church, also called the Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox . Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously. Maybe someone in your family is causing you some grief. 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. She would not teach me. Pt 1, How Did We Lose the Gospel of the Kingdom? 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? We cannot do that as a church of Satan! I went into her office and I said you know I just wanted to ask you a question. 2. 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. View property report for 975 Church St Se, Smyrna, GA 30080 on ATTOM's Property Navigator. 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? degrees -- one in Medical Technology and the other in Perfusion Technology. This is true of the Evangelistic and . However, the church was wealthy, not in the temporal things that had brought their city fame. He who overcomes is any believer, anyone who has placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his savior. If so, pray for those who dont know Christ and dont have eternal security. 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). Be thankful that He did this that He died for us. Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self. 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. Jesus had a reason for mentioning this fact. The Second Coming of JesusWho Are the 144,000 in Revelation?Who Are Gog and Magog in the Bible?What Is the Apollyon?Is the Apocalypse Mentioned in the Bible?Signs of the End Times and the Rapture. In fact, it has been said that more Christians have lived in this region than any other Turkish city in the world. It is like Sally and I were saying this morning. I do not agree with that. I was just going through my mind of what I was going to say. But, maybe there are some of you who are in a very difficult season of life. They had no way to make a living. 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. 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. How is it possible to not fear impending tribulation and suffering? The city rivaled Ephesus in grandeur and influence. The application is that a dead or dying church with faithful, Christ-empowered people can be resurrected. He knows us more intimately that we can imagine and desires that we be in Him and glorify Him fully. He casts us in the fires of trial in order to refine us and strengthen our character. 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. We became great friends. How do these verses affirm Christs equality with God? My exhortation to you on this one is to be ready, to be ready for the suffering that will come into your life. 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. It reminds us of five things that we must remember if we are going to suffer well. Is there something difficult going on in your life today? (NASB). They got drunk. I was with another student, another medical technology student, and I noticed that this lady had very little to do with me. The fragrance from Myrrh is only released from the sap through crushing. Right now, I hate this woman. So, I got up the next morning before dawn and I took a walk. Life is hard. Time and time again, wars, massacres, earthquakes, and plagues have threatened to destroy Smyrna, but the city has always bounced back and rebuilt. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. What did the future hold for the church at Smyrna and what would be the purpose? But, you know, they heard every word. 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. I went in and I just said, God I do not think I can do this. Or they could have agreed to call Caesar Lord, knowing they could later repent. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. How does this compare with the strong terminology Jesus uses in Rev 2:9? 1. 5. If someone slanders you, what do you do? 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. Most American Christians today will not be called to die a martyrs death. 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. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! They could not advance in jobs. They took him to the amphitheater where the proconsul tried over and over to persuade him to renounce his faith. What Scriptures come to your mind concerning this? They were going to nail him to the stake, but he said they did not have to nail me, I will stay. Allow it to deepen your relationship with Christ, not push you away from Him. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History). Pt 2, Kingdom 103: The Unchanging Person and the Unshakable Kingdom, Kingdom 103: Staying Focused on Your Purpose Pt 1, Kingdom 103: Staying Focused on Your Purpose Pt 2, Kingdom 103: Staying Focused on Kingdom Priorities, Kingdom 103: Be Encouraged Through Difficult Times, Kingdom 103: Singleness, Divorce and the Results Pt 1, Kingdom 103: Singleness, Divorce and the Results Pt 2, Kingdom 103: Singleness From God's Viewpoint, Kingdom 103: Forgiveness, Always a Priority, Kingdom 103: Kingdom Principles Are Relevant to Our Way of Life, Kingdom 103: The Indwelling of His Spirit (the Governor), Kingdom 103: In the Kingdom, They are Filled with His Spirit, Kingdom 103: The Holy Spirit is for All Humanity.

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