How can you better realize the fact that our trials will be limited and temporary? She came in and I said, Good morning, how are you doing? The Bible tells us that. I was not Crickett then. How Are the End Times Described in 2 Timothy? It reminds us of five things that we must remember if we are going to suffer well. This is true of the Evangelistic and . Just trust the One who holds your life in His hands. When we work our lives and church with our corrupt personal power we are in fact abandoning His power and Fruit. They would tell us about their relationship with the Lord and they would tell us about the things they had endured during the Cultural Revolution because of their faith in Christ. He is aware of the enemys plans and the afflictions we face (Hebrews 2:17-18). Faith and fear are opposites. What harm can it do? Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. I had just started walking with the Lord that year before and I had gone on a beach project with Campus Crusade that summer. You see, Smyrna had a lot of religions. They had sufferings to overcome and learn from, but most chose to run the course their way and tarnish His Way. 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. Most American Christians today will not be called to die a martyrs death. Janene Keeth (nicknamed "Crickett") holds a M.A. 9. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History). 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. What was Jesus message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation? Or they could have agreed to call Caesar Lord, knowing they could later repent. 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. 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. They were going to nail him to the stake, but he said they did not have to nail me, I will stay. 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 third thing we need to remember is that the ultimate enemy is Satan. The ultimate reward is life. Smyrna was a large, important city on the western coast of Asia Minor, famed for its schools of medicine and science. 1. But, maybe there are some of you who are in a very difficult season of life. Fruits And Vegetables To Lose Belly Fat - The largest student-run The Message to the Church at Smyrna. 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. 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. What the Bible says about Smyrna, Church of - Bible Tools They, and the zealot Jewish leaders, hated Christians and prohibited them from working, buying, or selling, any time they got a chance. 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. 6. We cannot do that as a church of Satan! (Ephesians 1 is a good reminder of our riches in Christ.). The letter to the church at Smyrna is unique for several reasons. 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. 4. Pt 1, Kingdom 104: What Profit Has Righteousness in the Kingdom? She said, Janene, lets just get down on our knees. It is emphatic in the Greek. Oct 04, 2021 41:20. She is so right. Well, they were under pressure from several forces. I do not agree with that. Ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can endure the suffering in your own life more victoriously. But, if we are really serious about going deeper, suffering is part of that process. The Church of Smyrna - Church Leadership . The application is that a dead or dying church with faithful, Christ-empowered people can be resurrected. I had no choice. He always will exist. 5. 7. They were a synagogue of Satan because they were attacking the church. Clarence Larkin :: Chapter 22. The Seven Churches - Blue Letter Bible She read, He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. (NIV). My entire senior year was spent at the hospital as we would rotate through labs. 2. John was then to send the divine dictation to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11). Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrha sap-like substance extracted from tree bark. Ch 1 Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? Finally, one of the soldiers took his sword and he ended the life of this great martyr, Polycarp. There are two words used in the New Testament for poverty and one just kind of means poor. Some can endure physical sufferings under tribulation and poverty, yet few can . It is not a question of, will you suffer? The question is, how will you handle it when it comes?. We Were Created to Inhabit This Earth Part 1, We Were Created to Inhabit This Earth Part 2, Kingdom 102: The Kingdom of God is Relevant, Kingdom 102: Knowing How to Apply the Kingdom Concept, Kingdom 103: He Needs No Assistance in Keeping His Promise, Kingdom 103: Seven Last Days Churches and Their Believers' Characteristics, Kingdom 103: Reconsidering the End Times, Kingdom 104: Misrepresenting the Kingdom Gospel. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. Why would this promise be especially encouraging for the church at Smyrna? They had no way to make a living. I sat outside and prayed. "In Roman times, Smyrna was considered the most brilliant city of Asia Minor, successfully rivaling Pergamos and Ephesus. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. Why is Smyrna being praised? So, I went into her office, which was at the back of the lab. Why do we do it? 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. If you receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people. Oswald Chambers5. by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," January 2, 2009 . 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. God is very much aware of all that is going on in your life and is not surprised by anything. What can you do to grow in this area and to glorify Him more fully? Some Jews, like the Sadducees, believed this was annihilation (John 5:28-29; Rev. 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. 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. Smyrna - The Seven Churches of Revelation! - Bible Study 5. Olympian games were held in Smyrna. 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. How would you encourage someone who is being persecuted for his faith or going through a tough time? We need to look beyond the pain and look for that purpose that He wants to accomplish in our life. (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. They were dirt poor. Yet, He is there, guiding us with a beacon that says. Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna. 5. If someone slanders you, what do you do? Do you fear God more than people? in Christian Education with a focus on Women's Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Are you secure concerning your eternal destiny? But believers need not to fear death, because it will only result in their receiving a crown of life. (Look also at the story of Job in Job 1.). Many were placed on the rack where they were stretched so far that their legs and their arms were pulled out of their sockets. What are the other crowns and to what are they referring? We know from historical records that the church at Smyrna persevered in its faithfulness. Jude identifies characteristics of the advisory. Every day there is just a wonderful surprise and you are just in a great season of life. It would be fine if they just left me alone. They despised and hated Jesus Christ. That is the kind of pressure, a suffocating pressure that they are under. My human flesh cries out and I will do everything I can to avoid it. We can have confidence as believers that we will spend eternity with God and not face the second death. Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed childrens and youth programs for more than 20 years. What else do we learn about those over whom the second death has no power according to Revelation 20:6? We need to look beyond the trial. 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. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. They will eventually die and they will eventually be put out of their misery. What does it mean to be faithful until death? Satan had plans to cast some of the Smyrna church into prison.