characteristics of the church of smyrna

He never promises us that life is just going to be great. The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. Smyrna is still a large seaport with the present population of about 275,000 people. 6. 3. It is because the soul is no longer there. He wants to discourage us. The Message to the Church at Smyrna. They were boycotted. Satan, meaning the devil, will cause citizens of the Kingdom (believers) to be thrown into prison and even killed. 2. At first, the emperors did not want anything to do with it, but by the time Domitian became the Roman emperor, he made it mandatory that all citizens would worship the emperor or face death. They despised and hated Jesus Christ. Which attributes of God most comfort you in the midst of trials and why? It reads, You will not in any way be hurt by the second death. As a believer, you do have eternal life and He is saying you may suffer the first death, you may die physically, but you will never die again. Every day there is just a wonderful surprise and you are just in a great season of life. 2. Allow it to deepen your relationship with Christ, not push you away from Him. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. I was so bitter. She prayed and asked God to give me strength to go in the next day and to handle this the way that Jesus would. What was Jesus message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation? I do believe that hell is a literal place. For the first He says in Revelation 2:10, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 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. How have you seen God use trials and suffering in your life? Others were taken to the Coliseum and fed to angry, hungry lions. 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. People did not want to buy from them because they were Christians. Be encouraged as you study the message sent to this church. 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. Christ will use us in the plights of others as hands to grab on to and pull others up when they are sinking. What Scriptures come to your mind concerning this? Trust me. Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 1-5). People did not want to sell to them because they were Christians. 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. I will be the first to admit to you that I do not like to suffer. He just came in. We would always leave and say, you know I want that kind of relationship with God! They had no way to make a living. And He genuinely cares about what happens to His children. Property Reports > U.S. > Georgia > Cobb County > Smyrna > 30080 > Church St > 975 . She would take the other student aside and sit down and show her how to do the instruments and explain the physiology behind what we were testing. Jun 21, 2021 42:17. 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 John addresses the Church in Smyrna. Jesus had a reason for mentioning this fact. Tina said, you know Crickett, or at that time I was Janene. He died for one reason: his unyielding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. What harm can it do? You see, Smyrna had a lot of religions. Smyrna was a hotbed for pagan worship. God asks us to be conquerors and faithful witnesses to whom and what He is! ), 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. Oh, I do not think she should be doing that or I do not think he should be. Be careful. Life is hard. The 2 nd century Church bishop and . Finally, Jesus warns His people to expect more suffering, persecution, and testing. Its streets were wide and paved. 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. 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. Slander damages our reputation. Give it to the Lord, trust His hand, and look ahead to the blessings that await you eternally. What was Jesus message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation? The second instruction He gives them is to be faithful until death. Some suffered the Roman crucifixion, a horrible way to die. I came back that fall and I was so on fire for the Lord. Faith banishes fear.6. In verse nine, Jesus praises and affirms the church by recognizing their material poverty in contrast to their vast spiritual prosperity. 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. How do you demonstrate faithfulness? 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. 2006 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. 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? A third form of suffering for them was persecution in verse 9. Kingdom 103: Where Does the Governor Reside? Is there anything in your life that is causing you to be fearful? These actions would have given the believers could a measure of favor with the government and secured a much easier life. They had no love for God. I had decided how I was going to handle this. What two instructions did Jesus give them concerning the upcoming tribulation? When we are faithful, we become beacons of hope and encouragement to others, too. In fact, transactions in the world have never fruits and to lose belly been completely equal. The church in Smyrna faced bitter persecution and death, yet it emitted a fragrant testimony of faithful commitment to . 12. 2:8-11. Jesus gave each one a short "report card." Ephesus had "abandoned the love it had at first," (Revelation 2:4, ESV ). I know what it is like to face death at their hands. 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 wish I had more time to go into detail of his story. He is like a lion prowling around looking for someone he could use. 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 words of Jesus to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11 offer insight into the life of a first-century congregation, and there are many applications for today's believers. 19:39). My human flesh cries out and I will do everything I can to avoid it. 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. John was then to send the divine dictation to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11). They had laid up for themselves treasures in Heaven,where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20) No doubt, Jesuss commendation would have been a timely affirmation that their sacrifices had not been made in vainand that they should continue basking in the abundant life Jesus had purchased for them. 3. They had no means whatsoever. 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). 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. The trade unions would have nothing to do with them. Ancient coin inscriptions describe Smyrna as first of Asia in size and beauty, and The Ornament of Asia.. 7. 1. Is it fire, is it brimstone, is it gnashing of teeth? Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. - Psalm 37:7. I was ready to share Christ with anybody and, you know, I could handle this lady. She would totally ignore me. I had no choice. 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 understand. He can walk right through it with them. Faith and fear are opposites. He knows the tough times. As I said in your study this week that fear and trust are opposites. The troubles we face can cause us to fear so we seek to cover them up with our pride and/or bitterness. 2007 - 2023 ChurchLeadership.Org - All Rights Reserved. What is in the way of my listening to God? If we are going to suffer well, the first thing we have to remember is that Jesus Christ is the ultimate victor. He casts us in the fires of trial in order to refine us and strengthen our character. You are so in love with the Lord. And finally, Smyrna was the only congregation besides Philadelphia that did not receive admonishment from Jesus. The name of Smyrna was equated with myrrh. 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.

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