characteristics of the church of smyrna

4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. I had a conversation Sunday morning before church with a good friend here. 3. In verse 9 when He says, I know your tribulations. That word used here for tribulation literally means pressure. Revelation 2:11a - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.". Death is that separation of the soul and the physical body. The term may also refer to anyone who sacrifices their life or something of great value for the sake of principle. Seven Churches of Revelation - Life, Hope & Truth Ephesus is the first of the seven letters. Most of us will never die for our faith and I hope we do not. Do you fear God more than people? 2. That is physical death. The Apostle John was arrested for preaching the Gospel and exiled to Romes penal colony on the island of Patmos, near Asia Minor. It was probably six weeks. Scripture does not record the founding of the church of Smyrna. Maybe you are dealing with an illness. Today, we look at the letter to the church at Smyrna, a church known for suffering. 7 Churches of Revelation: What Do They Signify? - Learn Religions Kingdom 103: Your Faith is Essential in the Kingdom, Kingdom 103: They Praise Him, But Fail to Obey Him, Kingdom 103: The King's Will and the King's Word, Kingdom 103: Know Your Purpose While on This Earth. All Christians cannot stand on their own feet and you could not do this if you had to. These Jews were being used by him to carry out the works of Satan. 3. It was like the Word just pierced my heart. They had no heart for God. Have I done something to offend you? List reasons why those Jews were not considered real Jews in Jesus eyes. For instance, telling them that they were practicing cannibalism because they were partaking of the Lords Supper, eating of the body of Christ, drinking His blood. In verse nine, Jesus praises and affirms the church by recognizing their material poverty in contrast to their vast spiritual prosperity. I do not like it when life is hard. Anyone who has said I cannot earn salvation on my own so I put my faith in the blood of Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for my sins. I went into her office and I said you know I just wanted to ask you a question. 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. When we suffer, we may think that Christ is absent, but He is not. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. 5. In 1 Peter 4:12-19, what are some lessons for life concerning suffering? 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. 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. So, I opened the door and walked through the lab. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. What do these verses imply about persecution and the believer? How would you encourage someone who is being persecuted for his faith or going through a tough time? What does this passage mean? . I had the opportunity while I lived there to visit in the homes of some Chinese believers who had undergone some serious persecution for their faith during the years of the Cultural Revolution. That is the kind of pressure, a suffocating pressure that they are under. 2. It was almost as if the city was trying to starve them out. Jude identifies characteristics of the advisory. Things are smooth. It is like Sally and I were saying this morning. I had just started walking with the Lord that year before and I had gone on a beach project with Campus Crusade that summer. The Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) I believe it exists. Time and time again, wars, massacres, earthquakes, and plagues have threatened to destroy Smyrna, but the city has always bounced back and rebuilt. Thank you for the strength that You give us when our flesh just does not have it. I was ready to share Christ with anybody and, you know, I could handle this lady. Based on His intimate awareness of their spiritual condition, Jesus uses these letters to dig deep into the inner workings of each church and flesh out areas of commendation or correction. What it tells us about Smyrna and its Christians has big implications for us today. We need to look for that end result. Why are they treading on dangerous ground? Pt 3. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) Perhaps the most well-known of the seven letters addresses the church in Laodicea. It would protect them. 4. 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). It reminds us of five things that we must remember if we are going to suffer well. Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. They might face death. Called: Jude 1-4. People did not want to buy from them because they were Christians. Smyrna, an ancient city now surrounded by the modern city of Izmir, was originally established around 1000 BC by Aeolian Greek settlers in "Old Smyrna" (Bayrakl Hy) on a small peninsula jutting out from Asia Minor into the Aegean Sea, similar to Old Tyre. 5. These early believers could have participated in a few cultural customslike sprinkling incense on the fire that burned in front of the emperors statue. You and I and our congregation may not be a Smyrna church just now. Of course, all the other med techs are sitting there pretending like they were not listening. What does He promise to the one who overcomes? Yet, He is there, guiding us with a beacon that says. He knows the thoughts and inclinations of our hearts (Psalm 94:11). He does not want you to know that he loses. I noticed it and after a few weeks I thought you know I think I need to say something to her. 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. What was Jesus message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation. But believers need not to fear death, because it will only result in their receiving a crown of life. My prayer for us is that we would suffer well. My exhortation to you on this one is to be ready, to be ready for the suffering that will come into your life. The Holy Spirit is Christ's presence on Earth, forever guiding and convicting to keep his followers on the right path. 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. But, if we are really serious about going deeper, suffering is part of that process. This is true of the Evangelistic and . 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. Seven Churches of Revelation Bible Study - David Jeremiah Blog Just say Caesar is lord to save your life. And he would not do it. Jesus gives them two instructions in verse 10 as to how to handle this impending suffering. The first thing He tells them is be fearless. Spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. She would not teach me. The first thing we have to remember if we are going to suffer well is that the ultimate victor is Jesus Christ. John addresses the Church in Smyrna. Her debut childrens book, What Is A Family? 2006 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. No second-place prize existed. She used the Word of God to just muzzle me. 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. The city rivaled Ephesus in grandeur and influence. I came back that fall and I was so on fire for the Lord. (PDF) A Historical and Spiritual View of the Seven Churches of the You are too good. So, they were persecuted for that. When we work our lives and church with our corrupt personal power we are in fact abandoning His power and Fruit. Are you a God pleaser more than a people pleaser? The second instruction He gives them is to be faithful until death. What does He mean when he refers to their being rich in the midst of poverty? 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. Smyrna is the Greek word for myrrha sap-like substance extracted from tree bark. 1.3 Orthodoxy. 1. Satan had plans to cast some of the Smyrna church into prison. That is all they have done, but your spiritual life continues on forever. "In Roman times, Smyrna was considered the most brilliant city of Asia Minor, successfully rivaling Pergamos and Ephesus. 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. I shut the door and I stood there. Father, I just thank you for the privilege of knowing you personally. We cannot do that as a church of Satan! My human flesh cries out and I will do everything I can to avoid it. If we are going to suffer well, the first thing we have to remember is that Jesus Christ is the ultimate victor. Throughout the history of the Church the more that the Church has been persecuted the greater its purity and strength. (How does Romans 2:28-29 relate to this? What are the 7 Churches in Revelations? Bible Meaning Explained Death means separation. She finally said, do you have anything you want to say? I said nope. I did not know what to say because I thought I knew I was going to cry. Specific Messages to 7 Churches of Revelation Some of these seven churches kept closer to the gospel than others. He knows exactly what you are going through. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. Do not be afraid. Well, the second thing we need to remember is that the ultimate test is suffering. While there, the Holy Spirit spoke to John and instructed him to record everything Jesus was about to reveal via a vision. The purpose of this crown or crowns is not for you. We need to really commit to pray. It's incumbent on us to listen up and give heed to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. Which attributes of God most comfort you in the midst of trials and why? Clarence Larkin :: Chapter 22. The Seven Churches - Blue Letter Bible We try to go it alone when Christ is beckoning us to trust in Him, go His Way, and give our fears to Him. 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. It was the loveliest of all the cities. Oct 04, 2021 41:20. It was used to embalm the dead in the first century (Jn. Perhaps there are people in the church who are just trying to make life hard for you, but they are not really your enemy. 105 views, 1 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Buncombe Baptist Church Lexington: Welcome to the home of Intentional. What Does God Say about the Church at Smyrna? - Christianity.com Life is hard. In fact, transactions in the world have never fruits and to lose belly been completely equal. 4. When we seek to do His church on our own, we turn it into a church of evil, as diametrically opposed to Christ, as Satan is opposed to Him. I wanted to hurt her and I wanted her to go to hell. Smyrna was a seaport city about 35 miles north of Ephesus. Life was hard for these Christians. Faith banishes fear.6. They were reporting false allegations to the government about these believers, saying things which were not true about them. I do not want anyone to go there. 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). What are some reasons God allows suffering in our lives? They were doing Satans will and not Gods. It is a synagogue of Satan. What was Jesus message to the church in Thyatira in Revelation? It was exceptionally wealthy. Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. We will be rewarded for staying strong until death. Thank you for being that ultimate victor who won victory over death so we might have life eternal. Smyrna - Life, Hope & Truth Others roasted alive. He does not want you to go deeper in Gods Word. . He says, Do not fear.. Why would there be a need to be tested further? She would totally ignore me. How would Jesus words in Luke 12:4-7 encourage someone about to suffer for his faith? Home values, sales prices, taxes, school data, and more. Welcome to the home of Intentional Worship! - Facebook The second death is spending eternity in hell, separated from God forever. She came in and I said, Good morning, how are you doing? The church in Smyrna faced bitter persecution and death, yet it emitted a fragrant testimony of faithful commitment to .

Township Of Washington Nj Property Tax, Articles C