[Special - Seven Churches] The Church of Smyrna - The Letter of the Lord to the Church in Smyrna 1
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June 12, 2011 |
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* The Church of Ephesus
* The Church of Smyrna
* The Church of Pergamum
* The Church of Thyatira
* The Church of Sardis
* The Church of Philadelphia
* The Church of Laodicea
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 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 2:8-9)
Smyrna was a city situated in Asia Minor and one of colonies of the Roman Empire. At that time, the people in Smyrna called the Roman Emperor 'Lord' (Kyrios) and thought there existed only one Emperor in the world. But the Christians believed and confessed that the real authority was not with the Roman Emperor but with Jesus Christ.
The members of the Church of Smyrna were persecuted by Jews who had moved to the area after the fall of Jerusalem. Many Christians even died as martyrs because they rejected worshiping the Emperor. The government of Smyrna collaborated with the Roman government and severely persecuted the Christians. Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John and the first bishop of the church, became a martyr because he refused to worship the Emperor.
Among the seven churches, only the Church of Smyrna received only advice, without any praise or rebuke. What advice did the Lord give to them?
1. The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this
The Lord introduced Himself as 'The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life'. What does it mean?
'The first' means that He is the first of the resurrection. Since the transgression of Adam, all his descendants had been destined to die forever because of the spiritual law that says 'the wages of sin is death'. However, Jesus was crucified on behalf of them and redeemed them from all sins. He rose again from the dead on the third day and became the 'firstfruits' of the resurrection.
'The last' refers to the Lord's second coming in the air. When the Lord comes in the air, all the works of human salvation will also be over. Those who believed in the Lord and died and those who meet the Lord alive will all come out as the fruits of resurrection. Of course, there is the 'gleaning salvation' during the Seven Years of Great Tribulation, but for the most part, the works of salvation will be finished. The era of the Holy Spirit will also come to an end. Therefore, 'the last' refers to the second coming of the Lord in the air when He harvests 'the last fruits.'
The Lord, who is the first and the last, was dead and has come to life. This refers to the resurrection after the crucifixion. This is a crucial part in our Christian life, because only when we believe in the resurrection of the Lord can we receive salvation (Romans 10:9).
2. I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich
The Lord knew the trials and poverty that the Church of Smyrna was going through, but He said, "But you are rich." This is because, through the sufferings that we go through as believers in the Lord, when we overcome them with faith, our souls will become prosperous. We will receive God's blessings, and blessings will also be stored as heavenly rewards. The trials that believers go through may seem similar to the trials that unbelievers go through, but actually they are very different. There are two major kinds of trials for believers.
In one case, we might be put under trials because we believe in the Lord. They are suffering for righteousness, so God will certainly repay it with blessings.
For example, there may be persecutions from unbelieving family members or colleagues in the school or the workplace. Perhaps on weekends we used to go on picnics or outings with members of our family, but as we begin to attend church, we regularly attend church every Sunday. As a result, other family members may be somewhat offended or disappointed and persecute us. In this kind of situation if we show our love for them more and serve them eventually God will move their hearts to accept the gospel. Then, naturally, persecutions will disappear.
On the other hand, if we still experience such persecutions after living as a Christian for many years, then we should check whether we are causing the persecutions because of the lack of wisdom. We may be full of the Spirit, but sometimes we may not control ourselves and speak unwisely, which causes an adverse reaction from our family members. If we are just a little wiser, we can avoid being persecuted by our family members.
There may be another kind of persecution which men of God receive. Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and other prophets, and the apostles Paul, Peter, and John loved God very much and were greatly loved by Him. But they were all persecuted for the Lord, the kingdom of God, and for other souls. They willingly endured it all. Because they looked up to heavenly rewards, they did not feel any difficulty and were never shy, bashful or ashamed, but instead they rejoiced. (Matthew 5:11-12)
The other kind of persecution is caused by Satan's accusations against us for not living by the Word.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and become children of God, we become a citizen of the heavenly kingdom (Philippians 3:20). From that moment, we have to obey the law of the heavenly kingdom as its citizens. Only then will we be protected and receive abundant blessings. On the contrary, if we violate the law of God, then, the enemy devil will accuse us and bring us to tests and trials.
Among those who are suffering for this reason, some people misunderstand thinking that God is giving them hard times. However, God does not give us any test or hardships as written in James 1:13. The reason why we are still suffering from tests and trials is because we are tempted by our own desires (James 1:14), violate the law of God, and commit sins. In this world also, if we violate the law, we will be punished. In the same way, when we violate the law of God, we will receive the retribution accordingly.
Because God is just, He cannot protect us from the trials and hardships brought on through accusations of Satan when we commit sins, even though we are His children. After all, it's the enemy devil that brings tests and trials upon us, but it is also God's love that He allows these accusations and the trials to take place. God wants His children who are going the way of death, to turn away, even through punishment, if that is the best way. God allows tests and trials to fall upon His children through the accusations of Satan. (James 1:15, Romans 6:23)
About this love of God, Hebrews 12:5-6 says, "And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.'" Therefore, if we are going through any suffering, we should first check to determine what the cause is. If it was caused by our own mistake, we have to quickly repent and turn away so that we will come back into the blessings of the Lord again.
The Church of Smyrna not only suffered from trials, but also poverty. As we believe in God and come to the Lord, we can receive blessings of health and wealth as our soul prospers. But sometimes, believers may suffer from poverty like in the case of the Church of Smyrna. Even though we may work harder than when we did not believe in the Lord, we may still face persecutions in the workplace, or we may be treated unfairly. Because we cannot keep the Lord's Day holy while working for our present company, we may have to quit or move to another workplace. Because of something like these, we may have financial difficulty. But it is caused by faith in the Lord, it will not last long. Even though the other person keeps on persecuting us, if we just treat him with goodness all the time, he will also submit. Finally, the Lord will pay us back with overflowing blessings.
Additionally, there is poverty suffered as a result of one's own will. Suppose we are able to enjoy many things. But because we love God, we do not spend for ourselves but only for the kingdom of God. We voluntarily put ourselves in a situation of self imposed poverty with thanks. God will repay us with so many rewards in heaven. Also even on this earth, He will make our souls prosperous and give us health. So, we are actually 'rich'.
Smyrna was the city of wealth, but the Church of Smyrna was poor. However, the Lord praised them saying they were actually rich. Jesus is the Son of God the Creator, and all wealth is His. But, He was born in a stable and laid in a manger. (2 Corinthians 8:9) While living on this earth sometimes He was hungry and other times He had no place to lay His head. He slept in the wilderness. He did it to redeem us from poverty.
Therefore, we who believe in the Lord should not be poor, but we should give glory to God in the richness we have. But it is not that all children of God will become rich unconditionally. As written in Deuteronomy chapter 28, we have to listen to His word and keep all His commandments to be rich.
If we truly live by the Word of God and act in the light, we cannot face trials and tests. Even if we do, they will go away very quickly. Above all, the eternal heavenly kingdom is ready for God's children who are saved. Also, as their souls are prosperous, everything will go well with them even on this earth. Therefore, we are richer than anybody.
3. The blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan
Historically, many Jews settled in Smyrna. They collaborated with Roman government and killed many Christians. Jews are the chosen ones of God, but at the time of Jesus, the Jews were the ones who did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God and persecuted Him. They judged and condemned Jesus with the frameworks of their knowledge of the Law and the tradition of elders. They finally crucified Him.
Even today, among the believers in the Lord, there are people who disturb the works of God. Though they attend church, when some things are not in agreement with their opinions and beliefs, they judge and condemn.
As said in Revelation 2:9, "The blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan," the Lord says that these people are not Jews. It means they cannot be called children of God. 'Jews' as used here refers to the chosen ones of God, and today it implies those who believe in God.
Even if people may seem to have faith and appear to be good, if God does not recognize their faith, it is of no use. If their words and deeds are not those of God's children, they are only those who say they are Jews and are not. Everything will be revealed on the day of Final Judgment. (Matthew 13:49-50)
We can discern by seeing the fruits in their lives. If they are men of God, they have to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. They should love the truth, have peace with everybody, and bear the fruit of good words and deeds.
If the fruit is envy, judging, condemnation, hatred, and quarreling, then this is certainly the work of Satan. When there are two or more people who receive this kind of work of Satan within the church, then, it is called a 'synagogue of Satan.'
Today, because of the synagogues of Satan, many churches are suffering difficulties. If there is quarrel among believers in church, the Holy Spirit cannot work. Love will cool down, the fire of prayer is quenched, and church revival stops. Moreover we should be on the alert because a synagogue of Satan can take root anywhere around us. For example, when you listen to words of untruth, you join the conversation. Because you don't do so out of evil you might consider it lightly. But even that could lead to false rumors.
Until we completely cast off all forms of evil from us, we are unaware that we have wicked minds. So the evil inside us may come out at any time according to given situation. Some people verbally express their complaints and resentment habitually. Even at the moment when they have to unite their hearts, they give out words of opposition all the time only because they don't like others' opinion so much. But they themselves do not realize what they are doing. These people quietly look for those who agree with their ideas. If we thoughtlessly talk with these people and agree with them, we may unknowingly become a part of the synagogue of Satan.
Therefore, we should not agree with any words of untruth, but rather we have to be awakened with the truth. Darkness goes away if light comes. If we only see good things, hear good things, speak good things, and think good things, the synagogue of Satan cannot stay in the church. They will have to go away by themselves.
[To be continued in the next edition]
Overseas united crusades which were held in the country where it was difficult to preach the gospel
Pakistan United Crusade with Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
 S.K. Tressler, Federal Minister of Pakistan for Minorities, Culture, Sports, Tourism & Youth Affairs visited Manmin Central Church in 2001
The 'Pakistan United Crusade 2000' held in Lahore, Pakistan carried great significance because it was a crusade in an Islamic republic. A multitude of Muslims accepted the Lord as their Savior, and countless people were set free from the bonds of wickedness and healed.
  
2002 India United Crusade with Dr. Jaerock Lee with three million attendees
The 'India Miracle Healing Prayer Festival 2002' held at Marina Beach in Chennai, India, which is the second-longest beach in the world, brought a total of three million people. During the crusade, the blind came to see, the mute to speak, and many people were healed of AIDS. In addition, many Hindus converted to Christianity.
  
Many people were testifying to their healing.
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