He begins this like He did the last letter and every letter afterward with the words, I know. He knows everything. First, we serve a God who knows, sees, and is with us through every fiery trial and dark night (Isaiah 43:2). Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death. The application is that a dead or dying church with faithful, Christ-empowered people can be resurrected. Called: Jude 1-4. Each of the letters to the churches is directly from Jesus and includes a piece of the description about Jesus from Revelation 1. They despised and hated Jesus Christ. So, I would go to these dinners hating it because all they would do was just drink and drink. Just say Caesar is lord to save your life. And he would not do it. What would Jesus say to such a church? The church in Smyrna faced bitter persecution and death, yet it emitted a fragrant testimony of faithful commitment to . Specific Messages to 7 Churches of Revelation Some of these seven churches kept closer to the gospel than others. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History). The Bible notes that slanderous accusations by Jews against Christians had led to Christian persecution by Roman authorities (Acts 14:2, 19: Acts 17:13). All they had to do was burn a pinch of incense and say Caesar is lord, but many of the Christians refused to do so. How do you demonstrate faithfulness? Others were taken to the Coliseum and fed to angry, hungry lions. Throughout the history of the Church the more that the Church has been persecuted the greater its purity and strength. 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. You cant associated with us in these festivities to our gods. The Bible tells us that. The Letter to the Church in Smyrna by Paul Gardner - Ligonier Ministries Kingdom 103: The Kingdom Mindset of Authority, Kingdom 103: Ephesus, Its Believers' Characteristics, Kingdom 103: Ephesus, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2, Kingdom 103: Smyrna, Its Believers' Characteristics, Kingdom 103: Pergamos, The Compromising Church, Kingdom 103: Thyatira, Its Believers' Characteristics, Kingdom 103: Thyatira, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2, Kingdom 103: Sardis, Its Believers' Characteristics, Kingdom 103: Philadelphia, Its Believers' Characteristics, Kingdom 103: Philadelphia, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2, Kingdom 103: Laodicea, The Lukewarm Church, Kingdom 103: He Came Under the Cloak of Darkness, Kingdom 103: Authorized Power for the Heavenly Government, Kingdom 103: Never Assume in Marriage Pt 1, Kingdom 103: Never Assume in Marriage Pt 2, Kingdom 103: Love in Marriage Needs to be Refreshed, Kingdom 103: Fatherlessness, the Source of Disobedience and Sin, Kingdom 103: The Simplicity of the Kingdom Gospel, Kingdom 103: Kingdom Culture Displayed to the Blind. She came in and I said, Good morning, how are you doing? You and I and our congregation may not be a Smyrna church just now. Some people use this verse about dying the second death to uphold their view of the doctrine of annihilation. What Does God Say about the Church at Smyrna? She said, Janene, lets just get down on our knees. Things are smooth. 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 11. Well, the first type of suffering they were going through is pressure. 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. You do not need to fear or worry about the future! A third form of suffering for them was persecution in verse 9. Well, you know, God never promises us as a believer that life is going to always be fun. 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. John was then to send the divine dictation to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11). How is it possible to not fear impending tribulation and suffering? Today it is called Izmir, Turkey. Kingdom 103: On What Foundation Does Your Faith Stand? But, we are going to experience suffering on this earth without doubt. I was kind of scared. 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.
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