The Church of Smyrna


	The Church in Smyrna I love the church of Smyrna as the Lord ministered to me through these scriptures during the time I was born again. First you'll notice that there are 2 churches out of the seven that Jesus had no rebuke for: the church of Smyrna and the church of Philadephia. You said: "I have not done a Bible study on this topic, but am wondering about the identity of this particular church mentioned in Revelation. I know that some say that the churches mentioned represent the different phases of the church throughout the church-age, and yet others say that the churches represent the churches in existence at the time of the end. Whichever the case, the reference to the Jews in this passage of scripture has me confused. I believe that the churches were present when the churches were started and John received the Revelation from the Lord (that's a given). I also believe that they have been present around the world at any given time, including today. The church of Smyrna can most likely be found in China, Africa and other third world countries where to be a Christian can and does receive severe persecution, even unto death. The newspapers are always giving an account of a brother or sister that is beaten or killed by Muslims, Chinese police, African warlords, etc. In the West, we are more identified with the church of Sardis and the church of Laodicea. On a personal basis: if I may, I'll relate a story of what happened to me concerning the church of Smyrna in the Boston area in September, 1980. I was a salesman for a Boston area business that was owned by a Jewish man and the top associates were Jewish. We had bagels, kippers and locks (sp) in the mornings and I was invited to synagogue every so often (not for a religious service but for Las Vagas night or steam saunas (very popular up north then - they called them platzas (Jewish term I guess). Over a nine month period, from January, 1980 until September, the Lord was dealing with me through Hal Linsey's book, The Late Great Planet Earth, the 700 Club, Jack Van Impe and other ways. I would read my Bible too. One night I opened my Bible to Revelation 3:20....Behold I stand at the door and knock....I asked the Lord to come in and I was radically saved. I stayed in my apartment for 8 1/2 days that the Lord dealt with me. They couldn't understand at work why I wouldn't come back even though I tried to relate it to them. I was FULL of Bible prophecy! Scared them I guess. One day, during this time, I opened my Bible to the part that says, "....the devil will cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:" I received this rhema. Not long after this I had a knock at my apartment door and the two Boston policemen and my brother were there and came in. My brother said he was concerned about me and had a paper from the local hospital that he signed authorizing them to hold me for "10 days" observation. He thought I was going nuts on a "religious trip". The policemen handcuffed me, allowed me to carry my Bible and took me down to the hospital and introduced me to the hospital psychiatrist. The Lord gave me a great peace in this and I was so full of the Holy Ghost that I just felt good about it and not threatened at all. The psychiatrist was named Dr. Goldberg! A jew! An orthodox Jew who knew his Torah! Like Cornelius! We talked awhile and the Lord gave me something to give him from the Book of Isaiah. I don't remember the scriptures but he read them and then told them to release me, that I was fine. They took off my handcuffs and I went home praising God! What I personally learned from this: that like the Bible says, there are those who say they are Jews but are not (spiritual Jews by promise - as we are adopted in). They have the religeous rites, attend synagogue (like so called Christians attending church) but are not born again. They lead others away from Jesus and are led by the devil (the synagogue of satan). The church of Smyrna was (and is, in 3rd world countries) poor in material goods and finances, suffering, but is rich in eternal things that they will receive when they get to heaven (but thou art rich). I want to say this too: if you are a born again believer, you will LOVE THE JEWISH PEOPLE. Our Saviour is Jewish. He came to His own.....and thank the Lord, for us, they did not receive Him. And this is important - The Bible clearly says...to the Jew first...not only does this mean in the beginning before Pentecost but NOW. God still wants to reach the Jewish people, all the time! And if you love Jesus, you have a Jewish heart! After all, we are adopted Jews and the gospel is going back to them shortly for seven years. And all Israel shall be saved. Amen! Another reason why Christians should COME OUT of these Protestant churches that preach Replacement Theology. That should be another thread! \| Moses and the Fear of God \| The Father And Son During Creation \| The Church of Smyrna \| The Names Of God \| Peter, the First Pope? \| The School of the Disciple \| The Days of Lot \| Should we Vote..... or not Vote? \| \| Return Home \| Tithing and Giving \| Prayer and Fasting \| Bible Study and Bible Study Helps \| Mystery Babylon \| Antichrist Revealed \| The New World Order \| Israel in Bible Prophecy \| Home Schooling \| BLOG \| Email \|