Title: Jesus Walking Through Candlesticks 3-Smyrna Church
Description Jesus walking through the candlesticks 3 - Smyrna Church (Rev 2:8-11)
Today is Christ's letter to the second church, the church in Smyrna. Smyrna was a geographically beautiful city that was called the flower of Asia Minor at that time. To borrow the words of the old poet Homer, it was praised as a city like a poem. The city became so beautiful that in 195 BC, a temple for a Roman goddess was built here, and the Romans financially supported it to make it a beautiful city like a woman, and the temples of Tiberius, Adrian, and Caracalla were all located here. built In this way, Smyrna has become a beautiful and prosperous city not only because of its natural and environmental beauty, but also as a center of temples for the worship of the emperor, receiving enormous support from the state.
Jesus did not rebuke the church in Smyrna, but praised it and exhorted them to “have tribulation for ten days” (verse 10). This interpretation first means that the persecution will soon end. The second interpretation is that there will be ten emperors who persecute. It is Satan's operation to teach that there is no tribulation. The Bible does not say that there will be no tribulation when the saints live on this earth. Rather, He said, “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage” (John 16:33). Why do we have tribulation? This is because this world is a spiritual battlefield against Satan. Today, Satan is trying to destroy our faith under the guise of culture, thought, and art. The work of the devil will continue until the Second Coming of Jesus. Are there any saints who suffer to keep the incision of faith today? “Don’t be afraid. I will be with you” (Isaiah 41:10), I ask you to fight to the end and win.
So, what are the promises given to the Smyrna Church? (1) I will give you the crown of life. (verse 10) (2) You will not be harmed by the second death (verse 11). If the first death refers to physical death, the second death means that we will be resurrected at the second coming of Jesus and will be resurrected for eternity. means to be punished in hell To not be harmed by this second death means to possess the eternal heaven. I hope that all of you who are living your life of faith in today's difficult times will be the protagonists of this blessing.