characteristics of the church of smyrna

They might face death. 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? This approval will take place when we as believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and He will evaluate us for all the works that we have done on this earth. I sat outside and prayed. John was then to send the divine dictation to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11). These early believers could have participated in a few cultural customslike sprinkling incense on the fire that burned in front of the emperors statue. As I said in your study this week that fear and trust are opposites. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. It is not a question of, will you suffer? The question is, how will you handle it when it comes?. Read Revelation 2:8-11 (Our focus will be on verse 8 today, but read the entire letter to get an overview.). The ultimate reward is life. With a population of over 3 million, Smyrna continues to thrive today as the modern Turkish city of Izmir. So, I would go to these dinners hating it because all they would do was just drink and drink. In Revelation, the Apostle John records Jesuss address to seven churches in Asia Minor. Some suffered the Roman crucifixion, a horrible way to die. My challenge is that we need to be on guard. He just came in. The devil may harm their physical body, but he can not do them any spiritual harm. She is so right. Seven churches of Asia - Wikipedia It is because the soul is no longer there. Some people believe that people who are unbelievers will go to hell for a period of time. Its streets were wide and paved. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. 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. Property Reports > U.S. > Georgia > Cobb County > Smyrna > 30080 > Church St > 975 . I had not ever said anything about the Lord to her. 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. That is the idea. 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. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. They could not advance in jobs. . (NASB). 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. Some Jews, like the Sadducees, believed this was annihilation (John 5:28-29; Rev. Jesus thus says in effect, you know what, I know what it is like to be persecuted by your enemies. They cannot coexist. He knows the thoughts and inclinations of our hearts (Psalm 94:11). The first thing He tells them is be fearless. 5. John is grabbing their attention by reminding them (and us) who Christ is and what He has done. Satan, meaning the devil, will cause citizens of the Kingdom (believers) to be thrown into prison and even killed. The city rivaled Ephesus in grandeur and influence. Absolutely nothing is hidden from our all-knowing, all-seeing God. The people loved the Roman government because it was strong. 11. 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. 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. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. After introducing the first vision, John is commanded to write a letter to seven churches. He just reminded them that what you have in Christ is far greater than anything on this earth materially that you will have. Smyrna was a hotbed for pagan worship. Of the seven churches, Smyrna is one of two that received no reproof from Jesus, and it is the only church of the seven that still exists today, After His ascension, Rome became increasingly hostile toward Jesuss followers. 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 substance was used to make fragrant perfumes and anointing oils (Exodus 30:23) and was used in ancient burial preparations (John 19:39). What does He mean when he refers to their being rich in the midst of poverty? I want that kind of depth. Today, it is known as Izmir, Turkey. Jesus wanted to encourage them to stand strong, even if it meant physical death. Pt 1, Kingdom 104: What Profit Has Righteousness in the Kingdom? released through Familius Publishing in 2020. If so, pray for those who dont know Christ and dont have eternal security. 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. What can you do to grow in this area and to glorify Him more fully? Smyrna was a large, important city on the western coast of Asia Minor, famed for its schools of medicine and science. 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? All Christians cannot stand on their own feet and you could not do this if you had to. We became great friends. 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). Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) Perhaps the most well-known of the seven letters addresses the church in Laodicea. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. Before they lit the fire, he prayed, Oh Lord, almighty God, I thank you for counting me worthy of sharing the cup of Christ among the number of your martyrs. 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. Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self. So, how is He involved in your church? What are the other crowns and to what are they referring? It was celebrated for its schools of science and medicine, and for its handsome buildings. The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. 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. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! But, the second type they were dealing with was poverty. c. Slanderings. Finally, one of the soldiers took his sword and he ended the life of this great martyr, Polycarp. I wanted to hurt her and I wanted her to go to hell. Like myrrh, produced by crushing a fragrant plant, the church at Smyrna, crushed by persecution, gave off a fragrant aroma of faithfulness to God.2. It is not for you to carry around and have them saying, wow, look at my crown! Your crown is a little small there. Look how many I have. These crowns are not for the purpose of making you feel good about your life on this earth because we are told in Revelation 4:10 that we will go before the throne of God and we will go on our knees and our faces before Him and we will cast our crowns at his feet. I had no choice. They despised and hated Jesus Christ. What should you do? 1.3 Orthodoxy. Because they did they were considered to be unpatriotic traitors: you do not love Rome. Thus they were tortured. (PDF) A Historical and Spiritual View of the Seven Churches of the Some were boiled alive in oil. The trials that you are going to go through will be brief. 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. 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. Revelation 2:8-11 - The Church in Smyrna - Ministrymaker They will suffer and be tormented for a period of time, but it will not be for eternity because it says the second death. How does knowing that Christ, the Creator and Lord of the universe, approves you help you cope with "feeble mortals" telling you dishonorable things? Life is hard. He mentions four ways that this church is suffering because He knows exactly how they are suffering. 9. I will be the first to admit to you that I do not like to suffer. They were dirt poor. The church at Smyrna was to undergo some intense persecution and tribulation. Annette has also written curriculum for character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. Kingdom 103: Where Does the Governor Reside? 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. Of course, all the other med techs are sitting there pretending like they were not listening. 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. Do you ever feel that way that you are under that kind of pressure that it is just going to suffocate you? We need to be ready to stay firm and to stand and resist his attacks. The troubles we face can cause us to fear so we seek to cover them up with our pride and/or bitterness. Its association with death perfectly pictures the suffering church at Smyrna. In Jesus name, amen. Most American Christians today will not be called to die a martyrs death. It was like the Word just pierced my heart. Give it to the Lord, trust His hand, and look ahead to the blessings that await you eternally.

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