Verse of the Day 12/11

Through the Bible -Hosea 11-14, Revelation 4

Good morning,
Today we'll continue our look at the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3 where we read about Smyrna, "The Persecuted Church".

Smyrna was a wealthy city, a seaport, and in ancient times was known as "the lovely, the crown of Ionia- the ornament of Asia." Historians note that it was known for it's wickedness and it's opposition to the Christian gospel. Life for the early Christian was not easy in this community.

John Walvoord in his commentary on Revelation notes, "Smyrna itself means "myrrh" a sweat perfume used in embalming dead bodies, and used in the annointing oil uses in the tabernacle worship in the Old Testament."

Today's veres comes from this passage where Jesus commends the chuch for their stand and encourages them to be faithful.

Rev 2: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. NKJV

Cities and societies may look beautiful but can be cold hearted, dead and lifeless on the inside, and in the hearts of the people. The Christians here were known for their "poverty", Walvoord tells us that the Greek word used here means abject poverty. He writes, "They were not just poor. It may be that they were drawn from a poor class of people, but it is more probable that their extreme poverty is explained by the fact that they had been robbed of their goods in the process of their persecution and afflictioin. He quickly reminds them however, "but thou art rich"." They were rich in faith, a faith that would have eternal rewards in glory.

At least some people then took Jesus words to heart. One of them was Polycarp, one of the early church fathers, assumed the office of bishop in the church in Smyrna. As he faced death at the hand of his persecutors, when asked by the heathen judges to renounce his Christian faith, he replied, "Four score and six years have I served the Lord, and He has never wronged me; how then can I blaspheme my Lord and Saviour."
It seems that through through the ages, the strongest faith was shown by those being persecuted for their faith. Pray for those serving the Lord in places today where they face persecution, that they may be strong in their faith, able to stand.

In Christ,
Mike

Rev 2:8-12
The Persecuted Church
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'

NKJV