Today, it is known as Izmir, Turkey. They had absolutely nothing. I know your afflictions and your povertyyet you are rich! People did not want to buy from them because they were Christians. It is like Sally and I were saying this morning. Then, they would want to pray with us. 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. We need to look beyond the pain and look for that purpose that He wants to accomplish in our life. 19:39). So with that context in mind, let's take a look at Revelation 2: 8-11. 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. You would listen to these believers pray and you would just think they are on a different level than we are. I cannot remember all the things said, but I do remember pieces of it that I was a weak little wimp who cannot stand on your own two feet. My human flesh cries out and I will do everything I can to avoid it. We must not forget that the characteristics of all these Periods continue on in the Church down to the end. Explain your answer. 1. 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. The challenge for us is to suffer well. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed? Death means separation. How wonderful it would be if our church received an encouraging letter from Jesus, especially if it contained no criticism. He knows exactly what you are going through. Kingdom 103: The Governor is Meant For All, Kingdom 103: The Holy Spirit is Your Guide and Teacher, Kingdom 103: Your Legacy and the Kingdom, Kingdom 104: The Misrepresentation of the Kingdom, Kingdom 104: Earthly Holidays Misrepresent the Kingdom, Kingdom 104: His Name is All Authority and Power, Kingdom 104: His Law, the Source of All His Principles and Truth, Kingdom 104: Failing to Know Your Kingdom Assignment Brings Boredom, Kingdom 104: The Purpose of the Sabbath--Rest and Teach, Kingdom 104: The Sabbath or Seventh Day God's Way, Kingdom 104: The Sabbath or Seventh Day God's Way Pt 2, Kingdom 104: Living in the Kingdom Culture, Kingdom 104: Your Eternal Foundation Will Sustain You, Kingdom 104: The Diluting of the Kingdom Message, Kingdom 104: Being Deceived From Your True Identity Pt 1, Kingdom 104: Being Deceived From Your True Identity Pt 2, Kingdom 104: Being Deceived Without a Solid Foundation, Kingdom 104: What Profit Has Righteousness in the Kingdom? They cannot coexist. It would protect them. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. Finally, Jesus warns His people to expect more suffering, persecution, and testing. Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. Scripture does not record the founding of the church of Smyrna. I shut the door and I stood there. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 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. Jesus Christ is the eternal God. What causes a Christian to become belligerent against Christ and a church to turn on one another, forsaking their call and duty? The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25). Father, I just thank you for the privilege of knowing you personally. But, the second type they were dealing with was poverty. She read, He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. (NIV). How have you seen God use trials and suffering in your life? Why is it that when we seek to run "His" church "our" way, we embarrass and dishonor Him and His Way? 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. . Q. John is grabbing their attention by reminding them (and us) who Christ is and what He has done. 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. What harm can it do? And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. But, if we are really serious about going deeper, suffering is part of that process. Thank you for being that ultimate victor who won victory over death so we might have life eternal. What helps you endure? It's incumbent on us to listen up and give heed to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. It was used to embalm the dead in the first century (Jn. While there, the Holy Spirit spoke to John and instructed him to record everything Jesus was about to reveal via a vision. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. 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. One of the instructors of one particular lab was a well-known atheist there at the hospital. I just thought, you have no idea.. They had no way to make a living. They were despised. 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. Be hopeful. Kingdom Citizen, not "Christian"--What's In a Name? Do not be afraid. Some Jews, like the Sadducees, believed this was annihilation (John 5:28-29; Rev. Kingdom 103: Honoring the Father Through the Son, Kingdom 103: Living in the Kingdom Culture, Kingdom 103: Power and Authority in His Name, Kingdom 103: Many Little Kingdoms, But Only One is True, Kingdom 103: Kingdom Citizens Are Examples. The church at Smyrna was to undergo some intense persecution and tribulation. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. I had decided how I was going to handle this. Well, they were under pressure from several forces. 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. Smyrna was a seaport city about 35 miles north of Ephesus. Kingdom 103: On What Foundation Does Your Faith Stand? The letter to the church at Smyrna is unique for several reasons. The letter to the church at Smyrna is unique for several reasons. 1.4 . He was faithful until death and he lost his physical life, but he gained so much more which brings us to the fifth reminder to help us suffer well. Finally, one of the soldiers took his sword and he ended the life of this great martyr, Polycarp. Hope-Full: Revelation 2:1-7. They got drunk. He does not want you to know that he loses. 3. Each of the letters to the churches is directly from Jesus and includes a piece of the description about Jesus from Revelation 1. She hated Christians. No second-place prize existed. First, we serve a God who knows, sees, and is with us through every fiery trial and dark night (Isaiah 43:2). Today, we look at the letter to the church at Smyrna, a church known for suffering. He assures His people that their continued faithfulness, even to the point of death, will earn them a reward that far outweighs their earthly trialsa victors crown. 2 Corinthians 4:4, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=43133&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=43139&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=43138&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=43137&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0. Well, the second thing we need to remember is that the ultimate test is suffering. Well, the first type of suffering they were going through is pressure. What caused them to turn out to be a church of bitterness and strife? So, I caught all kinds of grief, you know, comments made like: oh, you would fit well into grandmothers generation. You are really out of touch with reality today. Just cruel comments. The city rivaled Ephesus in grandeur and influence. They will only last for a moment in life of the blessings that you will have for eternity. What Do We Know About the Ancient city of . How do these verses affirm Christs equality with God? What does it mean to be faithful until death? People did not want to sell to them because they were Christians. The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study): 1. We became great friends. Maybe someone you love is hurting. Faith and fear are opposites. I have a picture of modern day Smyrna in contrast to Ephesus which, today, is a deserted ruin with no people. Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. You do not need to fear or worry about the future! 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. Judging from the characteristics of his appearance, Fuming gave him a very good impression now arctic diet pills Shuerjia can only keto fuel pills review form his first impression based on his appearance. Rest in His presence. I noticed it and after a few weeks I thought you know I think I need to say something to her. First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. Just say Caesar is lord to save your life. And he would not do it. Property Reports > U.S. > Georgia > Cobb County > Smyrna > 30080 > Church St > 975 . We will be rewarded for staying strong until death. 4. Perfusionists, for some reason, or at least the ones I know, love to drink and party. They were Jews by race and that is it. Most scholars agree that the name Smyrna was a reference to the myrrh, which was the chief export of the area. What do these verses imply about persecution and the believer? 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..
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