No second-place prize existed. Even though the people would throw them into prison, it says the devil is about to cast some of you into prison. He is the ultimate enemy and we need to be on guard. in Christian Education with a focus on Women's Ministry from Dallas Theological Seminary. What Do We Know About the Ancient city of . Yet, He is there, guiding us with a beacon that says. 2. Second death. I believe it is something so horrible that it is hard to describe in words. What should you do? The second death is spending eternity in hell, separated from God forever. Throughout the history of the Church the more that the Church has been persecuted the greater its purity and strength. I believe it exists. I want that kind of depth. View property report for 975 Church St Se, Smyrna, GA 30080 on ATTOM's Property Navigator. We would be amazed at their love for God and just the depth of their walk with him. The period 1923-1924 was followed by the . But, we are going to experience suffering on this earth without doubt. 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. He is the overcomer and it says here in Revelation 2:11. It was probably only 15 minutes, but it seemed like hours. 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. How does this ruin a church? There was no rebuke for this church and because they were faithful until death, their candlestick has never been removed. Every time that God has taken me through a difficult period of life, whether it is just a trial or suffering, I can always look back after it is over and go, yes, Lord, I see how You used that in my life. Take some time to praise God for who He is in light of the Scripture you read today. 6. How is it possible to not fear impending tribulation and suffering? 1.2 Name. Until recently, we who live in the United States and Canada have had many personal liberties, particularly the freedom to worship God.In the post-World War II era, most other modern Israelitish nations have also enjoyed such freedoms, and thus most in the church of God are not accustomed to widespread or severe persecution. 2. How can such a church be turned around? 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. Where Does the Bible Mention These Seven Churches? In fact, it has been said that more Christians have lived in this region than any other Turkish city in the world. Be faithful even if it leads to your physical death. Property Characteristics; Geocodes; Building Permits; Real Estate Valuation. I know your afflictions and your povertyyet you are rich! They were going to nail him to the stake, but he said they did not have to nail me, I will stay. Their enemies can only take their lives once. The first death means when we physically die and then go into eternity for rewards and to wait for the resurrection and the everlasting life. Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed childrens and youth programs for more than 20 years. It is emphatic in the Greek. He wants to stop us. This is the letter to the second church: the church of Smyrna. Jesus Christ is the eternal God. She began to just blast me for my faith. Be thankful that He did this that He died for us. They could not advance in jobs. They, and the zealot Jewish leaders, hated Christians and prohibited them from working, buying, or selling, any time they got a chance. I want that kind of prayer life. But then we would always say, I dont want to go through what they went through. You see, the road to getting there is through suffering. Of course, all the other med techs are sitting there pretending like they were not listening. I Peter 4:19 instructs those who suffer according to the will of God to entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right. Spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. 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. Also, death is mentioned three times in these four verses. Kingdom 103: Your Goals, His Purposeand Then What? 1. 6. With a population of over 3 million, Smyrna continues to thrive today as the modern Turkish city of Izmir. Satan is the ultimate enemy. He mentions four ways that this church is suffering because He knows exactly how they are suffering. God is very much aware of all that is going on in your life and is not surprised by anything. In what ways are you rich in Christ? I cried and I prayed and I said, God, I do not think I can do this. Oh, youre too good for us. 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. 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. It was probably six weeks. Laodicea lay in Phrygia's Lycus Valley, ten miles west of Colosse and six miles south of Hierapolis. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. So with that context in mind, let's take a look at Revelation 2: 8-11. What does it mean to be faithful until death? Consider this: when we are independent from Christ in our personal lives and in running our churches, we are forsaking and opposing Him. He just reminded them that what you have in Christ is far greater than anything on this earth materially that you will have. The name of Smyrna was equated with myrrh. Jun 21, 2021 42:17. He knows the thoughts and inclinations of our hearts (Psalm 94:11). 3:12). Many believe that this church represents the martyrs of all the ages and the sweet-smelling fragrance of their faithfulness until death. One source is they were under constant pressure from the government to worship the Roman emperor because, you see, the city of Smyrna was a strong ally of Rome. But instead, through their surrendered lives, the Holy Spirit empowered the Smyrnaean Christians to choose spiritual wealth over worldly gain. Do you ever feel that way that you are under that kind of pressure that it is just going to suffocate you? Others roasted alive. Its system of coinage was old, and now about the city coins of every period are found. 4. 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). Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. 105 views, 1 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Buncombe Baptist Church Lexington: Welcome to the home of Intentional. Is there anything in your life that is causing you to be fearful? Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) Perhaps the most well-known of the seven letters addresses the church in Laodicea. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. I have felt his warfare. And just like myrrh requires crushing to release the sweet perfume of its fragrance, the church at Smyrna would continue to be crushed through adversity. 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. First, the letter is the shortest of the seven, at only 90 words. Some people believe that people who are unbelievers will go to hell for a period of time. What will I do about it? Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? Most American Christians today will not be called to die a martyrs death. How do you demonstrate faithfulness? I was not Crickett then. 3:17); it is impossible for a person to be in Smyrna, before the Lord, yet at the same time be in Laodicea, before the world. He was martyred for his faith in A.D. 156. Jesus has no censure for the church 4. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victors crown.(Revelation 2:8-10). Anytime there is a sense of spiritual awakening or spiritual revival or the sense of the spirit of God moving in lives I will tell you, it makes Satan scream. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow? But believers need not to fear death, because it will only result in their receiving a crown of life. 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. But, when we trust in Him, He will give us the strength to endure. The fragrance from Myrrh is only released from the sap through crushing. It was one of the chief cities of Roman-dominated Asia and competed with places such as Pergamos and Ephesus for the title "First City of Asia." First, we serve a God who knows, sees, and is with us through every fiery trial and dark night (Isaiah 43:2). Are you secure concerning your eternal destiny? What Does God Say about the Church at Smyrna? The Message to the Church at Smyrna. If so, how is that evident in your life? 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. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. They were despised. 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.
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