6 Stott, What Christ Thinks of the Church, 43. He knows the suffering that you are going through. 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. 5. 6. What do these verses imply about persecution and the believer? What was Jesus message to the church in Pergamum in Revelation? Yet, He is there, guiding us with a beacon that says. 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. What would Jesus say to such a church? We cannot do that as a church of Satan! We will suffer in this life. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. The second death will be eternal separation from God in torment. Very few of us today know that kind of pressure, but they refused to worship Caesar. I just thought, you have no idea.. They cannot coexist. ), 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. She went on and on and on about my faith in Jesus Christ. Have you experienced suffering in your life where it was difficult for a time to stand firm? Revelation 20:14 and Revelation 21:8 tells us that the second death is the lake of fire and brimstone. As believers, we should expect persecution and suffering in this life. He mentions four ways that this church is suffering because He knows exactly how they are suffering. 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. Why are they treading on dangerous ground? What additional insight do these verses give concerning the crown of life? After college (the first time), Crickett was on staff with C More. How do these verses affirm Christs equality with God? They were going to nail him to the stake, but he said they did not have to nail me, I will stay. Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna. How would these verses encourage you in the midst of tough times? Tina said, you know Crickett, or at that time I was Janene. This is true of the Evangelistic and . The crown of victory belonged to the victor alone, and every other competitor was considered defeated. 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. 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. For instance, telling them that they were practicing cannibalism because they were partaking of the Lords Supper, eating of the body of Christ, drinking His blood. It may seem like they are the enemy. Some suffered the Roman crucifixion, a horrible way to die. She is so right. The pressure came with these students. 19:39). 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. What did the future hold for the church at Smyrna and what would be the purpose? So, I opened the door and walked through the lab. What was Jesus message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation? The promise Christ gives to overcomers in verse 11 is that they "shall not be hurt by the second death." The First and the Last God asks us to be conquerors and faithful witnesses to whom and what He is! I do not agree with that. How can the fact that Jesus knows us more intimately that we can imagine, and desires us to be in Him strengthen your faithfulness? Those crowns are not to make us feel good about ourselves. The 2 nd century Church bishop and . What does He mean when he refers to their being rich in the midst of poverty? Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed childrens and youth programs for more than 20 years. You cannot do them at the same time. 3. That night my roommate came in and I was telling Tina about what had happened and my plan for the next day, and how I was going to really get her. I went home that night and I got angrier the more I thought about it. My challenge is that we need to be on guard. He does not want you to know that Jesus wins and that he loses. From the message to Smyrna, Christians today can glean several important truths. If not, talk to your small group leader or myself, and we will be glad to answer any questions. Some people believe that people who are unbelievers will go to hell for a period of time. They were Jews by race and that is it. Second death. Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed? 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. I wish I had more time to go into detail of his story. It is because the soul is no longer there. In Jesus name, amen. 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. Just trust the One who holds your life in His hands. We need to look beyond the trial. The Church at Smyrna would have been familiar with the extreme honor associated with a victors crown. The city was well known for its Olympic-style athletic contests. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. But, you know, they heard every word. He has always existed. What else do we learn about those over whom the second death has no power according to Revelation 20:6? in Christian Education with a focus on Women's Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. Second, in a lesson especially relevant for todays Western Christians, Jesus praised the church at Smyrna for choosing poverty over compromise. 3:12). Even if these believers face death at the hand of the persecutors, it is not the end for them. Third, at the end of Smyrnas letter, Jesus makes this promise to whoever has ears to hear: He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death (Revelation 2:11, KJV). 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. He wants to stop us. In fact, it has been said that more Christians have lived in this region than any other Turkish city in the world. released through Familius Publishing in 2020. Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Ch 1 Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? We know from historical records that the church at Smyrna persevered in its faithfulness. 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. The Bible tells us that. I think it is a way to deal with stress in the operating room. You see, Smyrna had a lot of religions. 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. This second death means that those who fail to accept Christ will also be resurrected, only to die again in the "lake of fire." Verses 9 and 10 also go on to tell us a third thing we need to remember in order to suffer well. 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. Jesus has no censure for the church Also, death is mentioned three times in these four verses. If they kill you, they just ended your physical life. Seldom has a decade gone by without a significant event ravishing the city. You are so in love with the Lord. Some people use this verse about dying the second death to uphold their view of the doctrine of annihilation. They are cannibals. They accused them of immorality because they greeted one another with a holy kiss. Thank you for being that ultimate victor who won victory over death so we might have life eternal. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The problem was that it bugged them that I did not drink. What are the other crowns and to what are they referring? How is Satan described in this passage and how does he work against believers? Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Kingdom 103: On What Foundation Does Your Faith Stand? Death means separation. I believe it is something so horrible that it is hard to describe in words. View property report for 975 Church St Se, Smyrna, GA 30080 on ATTOM's Property Navigator. Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? What does it mean to be faithful until death? This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. Why are these blaspheming Jews referred to as a synagogue of Satan? Life is not going so great. 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). 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). So, there will be attacks on us to not study this Word, to not do this. (NASB). Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self. 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 substance was used to make fragrant perfumes and anointing oils (Exodus 30:23) and was used in ancient burial preparations (John 19:39). The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victors crown.(Revelation 2:8-10). Jesus Christ is the eternal God. Let me tell you one other thing. Another kind of pressure they were under was a pressure to worship the pagan gods and goddesses. He says, Do not fear.. (8) Revelation 2:8 - "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrha sap-like substance extracted from tree bark. 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. Are you a God pleaser more than a people pleaser? It was the loveliest of all the cities. The members of the Smyrna church, though, are facing persecution because they are more focused on what God thinks than what man thinks. Pt 2, The Unchanging Individual and the Unshakable Kingdom, In God's Kingdom, We Are Sons and Daughters, Not Servants, The Returning of the King and His Kingdom, The Birth of the Kingdom--Dominion Authority, The Experience of Living Under a Lord--Part 1, The Experience of Living Under a Lord--Part 2, The Lord's Motivation for His Divine Creation, God's Priority and Assignment for Mankind, It is Just What it is, the Good News of the Kingdom Pt 1, It is Just What it is, the Good News of the Kingdom Pt 2, Kings, Prophets--All Are Representatives of the Kingdom, Keys to the Kingdom, Understanding Its Concept, The Bible is the Constitution of God's Kingdom, Kingdom Perspective: The Eternal Message Pt 2, Christianity, a Religion, vs Kingdom Government, The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 1, The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 2, The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 3, Condemning is Not Our Responsibility Pt 2, Diluting the Kingdom Message While Being Deceived, Believers Who Are Blinded, Distracted and Deceived, Believers Who Are Blinded, Distracted and Deceived Pt 2, He Rules and Reigns: Citizenship in Kingdom Government, Only One Culture, One Mindset and One Spirit, The World Loves its Own, But We Belong to Him, Your Eternal Future Hinges on His Promise, Mankind's Refusal to Answer to His Creator, Kingdom 101: The Spirit of Dominion Part 1, Kingdom 101: The Spirit of Dominion Pt 2, Kingdom 101: Disobedience Is an Act of Treason, Kingdom 101: The Lord God Promised a Kingdom, Kingdom 101: His Intent of the Original Kingdom, Kingdom 101: We Are Government Citizens, Not Religious Members, Kingdom 101: Your Relationship or Your Religion, Kingdom 101: He Rules the Visible World From the Invisible Realm, Kingdom 101: He is the King of the Invisible and Visible Worlds, Kingdom 101: You--Mankind--Were Created to Rule, Kingdom 101: The Lord God's Contract with Man, Kingdom 101: Born to Rule, Not to be Ruled or Controlled, Kingdom 101: Man Shall Manage Earth, It's the King's Law, Kingdom 101: Man Shall Manage Earth, It's the King's Law Pt 2, Kingdom 101: The Lord God Requires a Body, Kingdom 101: Building a Kingdom Mentality, Kingdom 101: New Birth, But Not Converted, Kingdom 101: A Complete Change of Mentality, Kingdom 101: Making Preparations for the King, Kingdom 101: Making Preparation for the King Pt 2, Kingdom 101: Making Preparation for the King Pt 3, Kingdom 101: The Essence of a Kingdom and Its King, Kingdom 102: Honoring His Son in the Kingdom, Kingdom 102: A Kingdom Focus on the Beatitudes, Kingdom 102: Staying Focused on His Word in Time of Conflict, Kingdom 102: Setting Priorities While Living in Two Kingdoms, Kingdom 102: Characteristic of Kingdom Culture, Kingdom 102: Citizens Represent Their Kingdom and Culture, Kingdom 102: Kingdom Government Principles, Kingdom 102: The Kingdom Government and the Republic, Kingdom 102: Carrying Out the King's Policies and Principles, Kingdom 102: Fusing a Kingdom With a Democracy, Kingdom 102: Information: Knowledge From the King, Kingdom 102: Information--Knowledge From the King Pt 2, Kingdom 102: Knowledge is Very Important, Kingdom 102: Seek the Kingdom, Encourage One Another, Kingdom 102: Seek the Kingdom, A Divine Command. 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. The church in Smyrna and the church in Laodicea stand in stark contrast to each other (Rev. Why do we do it? I had just started walking with the Lord that year before and I had gone on a beach project with Campus Crusade that summer. 1.2 Name. What two instructions did Jesus give them concerning the upcoming tribulation? The local church still thrives there too. 6. It was used to embalm the dead in the first century (Jn. The letter to the church at Smyrna is unique for several reasons. 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. 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. That is according to I Corinthians 3:13-14 which talks about that approval, that standing before him, to be evaluated for our works. Smyrna is still a large seaport with the present population of about 275,000 people. What Is the Abomination of Desolation in the End Times? She also has two B.S. How does 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9 and James 2:5 shed light on this? Another warning for us is do not let him use you. How do these verses help us understand the meaning of Christ as He who was dead, and has come to life? Be hopeful. Today, it is known as Izmir, Turkey. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. (How does Romans 2:28-29 relate to this? I had no choice. After introducing the first vision, John is commanded to write a letter to seven churches. However, Jesus wanted to remind them that their sufferings would anoint them for a Christlike death and burial that could only result in an eternal resurrected life. Satan does not want believers to study the book of Revelation because he does not want you to know your eternal hope. As a result, the Smyrnaean believers lived in genuine poverty for their faith. They had sufferings to overcome and learn from, but most chose to run the course their way and tarnish His Way. c. Slanderings. 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. We need to look beyond the pain and look for that purpose that He wants to accomplish in our life. Smyrna covers the second church period from approximately from 100 C. E. to 323 C. E.; the Age of Martyrdom, 200-250 years during the second and third centuries C. E. from A.D. c. 100-316; Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17), 'where Satan dwells' is suggestive of the church mixing with the world . 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. Is there something difficult going on in your life today? Into Thy Word Ministries. We need to look for that end result. Allow it to deepen your relationship with Christ, not push you away from Him. I noticed it and after a few weeks I thought you know I think I need to say something to her. 4. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? Well, the second thing we need to remember is that the ultimate test is suffering. Ephesus is the first of the seven letters. 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. 4. So, they were infatuated with the Roman government and they worshipped the emperors. How do our stubbornness, recklessness, and selfishness contribute to a church's dysfunction? How does this fact strengthen your faithfulness? She hated Christians. Based on His intimate awareness of their spiritual condition, Jesus uses these letters to dig deep into the inner workings of each church and flesh out areas of commendation or correction. It is a gift. (Notice the similarities to the description of Christ in 1:17-18). Jesus gives them two instructions in verse 10 as to how to handle this impending suffering. The third thing we need to remember is that the ultimate enemy is Satan. 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. They would be thrown into prison probably for the purpose of forcing them to worship the Roman emperor. Christians are not exempt from suffering. Rev. 2. Christ will use us in the plights of others as hands to grab on to and pull others up when they are sinking. I wanted to hurt her and I wanted her to go to hell. Throughout the history of the Church the more that the Church has been persecuted the greater its purity and strength. They had no heart for God. Description. 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). I understand. He can walk right through it with them. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! 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. So, I would go to these dinners hating it because all they would do was just drink and drink. Then, they would want to pray with us. The Holy Spirit is Christ's presence on Earth, forever guiding and convicting to keep his followers on the right path. 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. In verse 11 he says, He who overcomes and again last week we talked about who the overcomer is. Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously. The crown of life is one of several crowns mentioned in Scripture. We would be amazed at their love for God and just the depth of their walk with him. You cant associated with us in these festivities to our gods. The purpose of this crown or crowns is not for you. If we are going to suffer well, the first thing we have to remember is that Jesus Christ is the ultimate victor. That should leave us to want to bring everyone we know to be with us in Heaven. He is not just a Savior and/or best Friend; He gives us life, holds our lives, and will judge our lives. . 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. If I am trusting God then I should not be afraid. All rights reserved. Each of the letters to the churches is directly from Jesus and includes a piece of the description about Jesus from Revelation 1. I was on staff at Texas Heart as one of the instructors through the University of Texas. He who overcomes is any believer, anyone who has placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his savior. I shut the door and I stood there. He does not want you to know that he loses. 2. That is physical death. 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. Lets pray. I thought, okay we can pray about this. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) Perhaps the most well-known of the seven letters addresses the church in Laodicea. But instead, through their surrendered lives, the Holy Spirit empowered the Smyrnaean Christians to choose spiritual wealth over worldly gain. Be thankful that He did this that He died for us. (1 Corinthians 15:50-57). 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.. What season of life are you in today? List reasons why those Jews were not considered real Jews in Jesus eyes. That is the doctrine or the view of annihilation of hell. In verse 9 when He says, I know your tribulations. That word used here for tribulation literally means pressure. Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death. A third form of suffering for them was persecution in verse 9. That is a way of worshipping Him, showing honor to Him. She said, Janene, lets just get down on our knees. I Peter 4:19 instructs those who suffer according to the will of God to entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right. They were boycotted. Why would this promise be especially encouraging for the church at Smyrna? 1.3 Orthodoxy. These early believers could have participated in a few cultural customslike sprinkling incense on the fire that burned in front of the emperors statue. 6. Do not be afraid. This article is part of our larger End Times Resource Library. The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study): What does this passage say? He knows exactly what you are going through. The Eastern Orthodox Church, also called the Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox . 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. First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. Their businesses were shut down. Consider this: when we are independent from Christ in our personal lives and in running our churches, we are forsaking and opposing Him. 8. Jesus was reminding these suffering Christians in Smyrna who may be facing death in the near future. Of course, all the other med techs are sitting there pretending like they were not listening. In Him, we are more than overcomers. Her debut childrens book, What Is A Family? Smyrna was named for the word myrrh, an aromatic gum resin that is bitter to the taste but sweet to the smell. 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. These churches were seven real churches at the time, and some believe they represent seven church ages, while others argue they represent seven church types that have existed since the church began, and will exist until Christ returns. The Apostle John was arrested for preaching the Gospel and exiled to Romes penal colony on the island of Patmos, near Asia Minor. Even though He died, He conquered death and He rose again. 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. 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?