4 MacArthur, New Testament Commentary, 71. What can you do to grow in this area and to glorify Him more fully? I have felt it in my life whether it is just things that people say right before I get ready to teach or whether it is something that happens in preparation. Be hopeful. 2. He wants to stop us. The term may also refer to anyone who sacrifices their life or something of great value for the sake of principle. How Are the End Times Described in 2 Timothy? You see, Smyrna had a lot of religions. He wants to discourage us. Allow it to deepen your relationship with Christ, not push you away from Him. 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. Life is not going so great. 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. Do you fear God more than people? It was already being persecuted. Toggle Name and characteristics subsection 1.1 Definition. Among them, 347 clergymen of the Smyrna region and Metropolitan of Smyrna Chrysostomos were tortured and martyred. 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! 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 do not want anyone to go there. Their enemies can only take their lives once. 1. Look at the conversation between Jesus and the Jews in John 8:31-47. We must not forget that the characteristics of all these Periods continue on in the Church down to the end. c. Slanderings. So, I went into her office, which was at the back of the lab. Appreciation for this transcription work goes to Marilyn Fine. 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. 1. Ch 1 Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? The first way they are suffering is through pressure. I have a picture of modern day Smyrna in contrast to Ephesus which, today, is a deserted ruin with no people. I went home that night and I got angrier the more I thought about it. They had absolutely nothing. They had no food. I had no choice. He says, Do not fear.. How do these verses affirm Christs equality with God? Jude identifies characteristics of the advisory. Today it is called Izmir, Turkey. Even Jesuss greeting to the church reveals His loving, personal care. Her debut childrens book, What Is A Family? 4. I noticed it and after a few weeks I thought you know I think I need to say something to her. If we are going to suffer well we need to remember these five things: Probably the closest that I have ever come to being persecuted for my faith was as a senior in college at LSU. Oh, I do not think she should be doing that or I do not think he should be. Be careful. in Christian Education with a focus on Women's Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. If this was your church, what could be done to make sure it did not die but be revived to its formerly healthy and vibrant ways? 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. Jesuss short correspondence with His people in Smyrna gives us incredible insight into this group of believers way of life and faith. They, and the zealot Jewish leaders, hated Christians and prohibited them from working, buying, or selling, any time they got a chance. How do these verses help us understand the meaning of Christ as He who was dead, and has come to life? 3. A third form of suffering for them was persecution in verse 9. Just trust the One who holds your life in His hands. What are some reasons God allows suffering in our lives? He is talking about that kind of pressure that comes from when you take a heavy rock and you put it on someones chest and you press down on their chest with all your force so that it suffocates the person. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. What similarities to Revelation 2:8-11 do you see in this passage? How did you handle the situation? I wanted to hurt her and I wanted her to go to hell. It would protect them. He knows the thoughts and inclinations of our hearts (Psalm 94:11). That is physical death. The church in Smyrna faced bitter persecution and death, yet it emitted a fragrant testimony of faithful commitment to . (Look also at the story of Job in Job 1.). What was Jesus message to the church in Smyrna in Revelation? The letter to the church at Smyrna is unique for several reasons. In Revelation, the Apostle John records Jesuss address to seven churches in Asia Minor. What should you do? Specific Messages to 7 Churches of Revelation Some of these seven churches kept closer to the gospel than others. Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death. This is a church under persecution yet denounced every false pretension of Jews who were (Synagogue of Satan) abode of Satan. We need to look beyond the pain and look for that purpose that He wants to accomplish in our life. And finally, Smyrna was the only congregation besides Philadelphia that did not receive admonishment from Jesus. Or they could have agreed to call Caesar Lord, knowing they could later repent. Who is it that overcomes the world? It was like the Word just pierced my heart. People did not want to sell to them because they were Christians. Ch 1 Pt 2, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? This is true of the Evangelistic and . According to Revelation 4:9-11, what are crowns ultimately for? That is how bad I felt. 12. Jun 21, 2021 42:17. Jesus has no censure for the church She went on and on and on about my faith in Jesus Christ. Consider this: when we are independent from Christ in our personal lives and in running our churches, we are forsaking and opposing Him. 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). He has always existed. First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. What is in the way of my listening to God? Most scholars agree that the name Smyrna was a reference to the myrrh, which was the chief export of the area. The Church in its "Ephesian Period" having lost its "First Love," the Lord is now about to "chastise" it, so as to cause it to return to Him. The letter to the church at Smyrna in Revelation 2 is notable for many reasons, one being that it's one of the only letters that doesn't have a rebuke. Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrha sap-like substance extracted from tree bark. 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. She used the Word of God to just muzzle me. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) Perhaps the most well-known of the seven letters addresses the church in Laodicea. 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 first thing He tells them is be fearless. But, we are going to experience suffering on this earth without doubt. The ultimate reward is life. But, maybe there are some of you who are in a very difficult season of life. When we are faithful, we become beacons of hope and encouragement to others, too. God knows and He cares for you. Pt 1, How Did We Lose the Gospel of the Kingdom? 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. Do not fear. Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? You will not worship the Roman emperor, then we will make you! He casts us in the fires of trial in order to refine us and strengthen our character. 4. 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. Judaism 5. How does this apply to me? Her passion is to help wanderers find home. The devil may harm their physical body, but he can not do them any spiritual harm. I had decided how I was going to handle this. 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. If not, talk to your small group leader or myself, and we will be glad to answer any questions. In 1 Peter 4:12-19, what are some lessons for life concerning suffering? 4. The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. 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. He never promises us that life is just going to be great. 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). California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 11. But instead, through their surrendered lives, the Holy Spirit empowered the Smyrnaean Christians to choose spiritual wealth over worldly gain. 1. 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. They had no way to make a living. (1 Corinthians 15:50-57). Things are smooth. 19:39). My challenge is that we need to be on guard. Smyrna was a hotbed for pagan worship. John is grabbing their attention by reminding them (and us) who Christ is and what He has done. Most of us will never die for our faith and I hope we do not. ATTOM AVM; Home Equity Data . The closest that I have ever come to feeling that kind of pressure was when I was perfusionist at Texas Heart Institute in Houston. I will tell you that I do not want to stand there before the throne of God empty-handed. Their poverty was most likely due to their faith in Jesus Christ, just like the Christians in Ephesus that we talked about last week. She also has two B.S. 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? For the first He says in Revelation 2:10, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Well, you know, God never promises us as a believer that life is going to always be fun. Also, death is mentioned three times in these four verses. It was probably six weeks. I was on staff at Texas Heart as one of the instructors through the University of Texas. We need to really commit to pray. Lets pray. I thought, okay we can pray about this. Jesus was reminding these suffering Christians in Smyrna who may be facing death in the near future. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. We became great friends. Life is hard. The Message to the Church at Smyrna. What are the other crowns and to what are they referring? View property report for 975 Church St Se, Smyrna, GA 30080 on ATTOM's Property Navigator. 19:20; 20:10-15). 6. John addresses the Church in Smyrna. 6. Have you experienced suffering in your life where it was difficult for a time to stand firm? 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). This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. If so, pray for those who dont know Christ and dont have eternal security. They were poor. We know from historical records that the church at Smyrna persevered in its faithfulness. What three things did Jesus mention that He was aware of concerning the church at Smyrna? 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. Ephesus is the first of the seven letters. Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self. So I kept my guard there, but I said, have I done something? She told me to shut the door. Some Jews, like the Sadducees, believed this was annihilation (John 5:28-29; Rev. 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? He knows the suffering that you are going through. Some suffered the Roman crucifixion, a horrible way to die. Well, they were under pressure from several forces. They were going to nail him to the stake, but he said they did not have to nail me, I will stay. Jesus Christ is the eternal God. They were despised. 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. When we suffer, we may think that Christ is absent, but He is not. We will become lifesavers, thrown to those who are drowning. She came in and I said, Good morning, how are you doing? Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church. How would you encourage someone who is being persecuted for his faith or going through a tough time? I do not think I can be like You. I went into that lab and got there before she did. Read Revelation 2:8-11 (Our focus will be on verse 8 today, but read the entire letter to get an overview.). The letter to the church at Smyrna is unique for several reasons. 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. How can such a church be turned around? Myrrh represents mortal death, and the title of the "suffering church" is often ascribed the . We would be amazed at their love for God and just the depth of their walk with him. They had no means whatsoever. What would Jesus say to such a church? We will be rewarded for staying strong until death. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. Smyrna: The Suffering Church Revelation 2:8-11. 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. Slander damages our reputation. Oct 04, 2021 41:20. What was Jesus message to the church in Pergamum in Revelation? It is believed that a man named Polycarp was the pastor of this church at Smyrna when this letter was written. I was just going through my mind of what I was going to say. In fact, it has been said that more Christians have lived in this region than any other Turkish city in the world. Q. Jesus is upfront about the fact that we will experience trouble in this world, but He has also promised that His peace, grace, and abiding presence are our refuge during our trials (Matthew 28:20). Is the Apocalypse Mentioned in the Bible? Absolutely nothing is hidden from our all-knowing, all-seeing God. In James 1:12, James write, Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him. 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? I know what it is like to face death at their hands. Whether it is because of our faith or whether it is because He wants to deepen our faith, we will suffer. The second instruction He gives them is to be faithful until death. Satan, meaning the devil, will cause citizens of the Kingdom (believers) to be thrown into prison and even killed. I do not want to simply stand there. When Jesus introduces Himself as theFirst and the Last, who died and came to life again,He is drawing their attention to the power of His resurrection. I was kind of scared. While there, the Holy Spirit spoke to John and instructed him to record everything Jesus was about to reveal via a vision. I do not like it when life is hard. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:11). He does not want you to know that he loses. It is a gift. So, I opened the door and walked through the lab. Another kind of pressure they were under was a pressure to worship the pagan gods and goddesses. Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 1-5). Right now, I hate this woman. So, I got up the next morning before dawn and I took a walk. Verses 9 and 10 also go on to tell us a third thing we need to remember in order to suffer well. How have you seen God use trials and suffering in your life? 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. 2. He does not want you to know that Jesus wins and that he loses. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. They made up whatever they could and went to the government and they were persecuted. Maybe someone you love is hurting. He is the overcomer and it says here in Revelation 2:11. Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed childrens and youth programs for more than 20 years. Second, in a lesson especially relevant for todays Western Christians, Jesus praised the church at Smyrna for choosing poverty over compromise. First, we serve a God who knows, sees, and is with us through every fiery trial and dark night (Isaiah 43:2). I was not Crickett then. 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. I was going in the next morning and I was going to tell this lady that she was going to hell and I was going to celebrate that she was going. 3. 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 do our stubbornness, recklessness, and selfishness contribute to a church's dysfunction? 3:12). Those crowns are not to make us feel good about ourselves. 1.2 Name. It is like going to a birthday party without a present to give to the host. What does it mean to be faithful until death? 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. John was then to send the divine dictation to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11). SmyrnaThe Suffering Church (Revelation 2:8-11) Christians in developed countries today think little about being persecuted for their faith, but there are churches in the world where oppression is a daily reality. Christ will use us in the plights of others as hands to grab on to and pull others up when they are sinking. 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. Their businesses were shut down. You know, none of us will probably be persecuted for our faith any worse than that. 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. 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. "In Roman times, Smyrna was considered the most brilliant city of Asia Minor, successfully rivaling Pergamos and Ephesus. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. They would be thrown into prison probably for the purpose of forcing them to worship the Roman emperor. He will do anything to stop good things that God is doing. Tina said, you know Crickett, or at that time I was Janene. Do not let him use you. Give it to the Lord, trust His hand, and look ahead to the blessings that await you eternally. But, you know, they heard every word. He just came in. At one end of its most famous street, the 'Street of Gold,' was the temple of Cybele, and at the other the temple of Zeus. The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study): What does this passage say? Why would there be a need to be tested further? What does He promise to the one who overcomes? 5. Smyrna was a large, important city on the western coast of Asia Minor, famed for its schools of medicine and science. 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.
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