Note for 20240827 - Revelation 2 KJV - Part 2 - A change in Season
Audio version of the note HIGHLY Suggested
Revelation 2:8-11 KJV
[8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. [10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. [11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.2.8-11.KJV
Note for 2024/08/27
... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (plural, though it is written to Smyrna)
Friends, what does it mean to be faithful unto death? Do you remember the prayer of Stephen as he was stoned to death? Can you muster forgiveness in you for your attacker, in the moment of the attack? Now of course, by the text, there was a specific prophecy spoken for Smyrna, but Christ says that we must hear what the Spirit says unto the churches. Yes friends, that means, what is said to all the churches here in both Revelation 2 and 3.
What is the warning here for Smyrna and what hope are we given in the reward Christ mentions for this? What is it that we might have to contend with, and what must be overcome? Does this sound like a sit-back-and-do-nothing instruction from the Lord? Be thou faithful unto death...
Now, of the second death we will read later in the book of Revelation, when we read on the second resurrection and the white throne judgment. We will learn that those who are part of the first resurrection have no fear for the second death, and we will read of the lake of fire and who is cast into it. Here Christ says, that if we are faithful unto death, we won't have part in the second death which is of the white throne judgment and of the lake of fire, meaning then that we will have part in the first resurrection at Christ return. Friends, that requires faithfulness unto death. What is this teaching then that you can't lose your salvation? You know, this once-saved-always-saved teaching, did we not read Paul speaks of those that gave up the faith going after the ways of the world? Friends, Satan preaches complacency, while Paul spoke of finishing the race strong. What is overcoming then? Are we not to resist the devil, and the desires of the flesh?
What is temptation then? Are we not told by John in his letters that we must try every spirit, if it be of GOD? And, did we not read that the church of Ephesus was credited for finding out those who claimed to be apostles and was not? "...and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:" Revelation 2:2 Friends, what is the spirit of the anti-Christ that was at work even in the days of Christ already? How then do we go out and just believe in the say-so of anyone? And how can we try every spirit, if we have nothing to try them by? Should you then know the Word of GOD, or not?
I know I am speaking hard to you today, but how much trust do you place in man that is fallible? I am only to point you to Christ our Savior, it is you that must find faith in Him. Sorry, there are no shortcuts in faith just as we must enter into the Kingdom of GOD through much tribulations. I was at the door of death, it is GOD that brought me back to life, I was on my way out with an empty report card. "...be thou faithful unto death..."
Who convinced you that there is no struggle in this life, because it does not come from the words of Christ, who said that this world would hate us, because it hated Him first. How is every day, then, just another ordinary day, with nothing gained in the Spirit?
"...be thou faithful unto death..." are you ready to die for your faith? In action, not just in thought; and what is the preparation for it, if we cannot even sacrifice a slice of bread for a brother that is suffering from hunger? Matthew 25:40 "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." What is it to practice what you preach so there will be no hypocrisy in us? Christ is the Word of GOD who was made flesh, not? Then how would Christ live in us, if we do not have the Word of GOD in us?
Earlier on in Chapter 2 of Revelation, we read of Ephesus trying those who claimed to be apostles, and here to Smyrna, we read of those claiming to be Jews, but are from the synagogue of Satan. Are we claiming to be Christian and are not? If our word and deed is tested, will we be found to be true followers of Christ, or is it just a checkbox on a form that requests our religion? Of what we prefer to be called, like male or female? "...be thou faithful unto death..." that you will have no part in the second death. Following Christ is not just a preference outwardly proclaimed without merit, it is a lifestyle choice that reflects the Word of GOD in all we do and say. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelations 12:11
You have spent years in school to learn the things of this world, how much time have you dedicated to learn the Word of GOD, which is the letter by God to you, so you may learn to know Him. And the Word made flesh, the Son of GOD, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, died on the cross for us, so we may have life everlasting. "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life."
Friends, this was written to Smyrna, because all of them would have to die for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you understand yet? No flesh can enter into the Kingdom of GOD. The flesh will be left behind, dust to dust. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit in corruption" 1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV. And as Paul wrote in verses 51 and 52 of the same chapter,
"51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
I have often asked you, do you believe what you read? Do you remember what tribulation builds, that it builds patience?
Romans 5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
Is our faith based on empty promises? Then why fear death? Who has the keys to Life and death in His hand? Why do we then have concern for what we will eat like the godless?
Friends, the letter to Smyrna is a short one. But, read the first section of verse 9, "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)..." Friends, they were rich in faith, faithful, until the end.
Now, today may seem to you like bringing a jackhammer to take out a splinter, but we must look at life in the spiritual reality of the season that we are standing in. Palestine has announced their interest to join BRICS, I read yesterday. My own bank has just rolled out biometric identification, fingerprint or facial recognition on their banking app. And these are small reports still, as the Jews are claiming equal rights to worship with Islam on Temple Mount. Are you keeping the watch? What honors and credit has Israel given President Trump? What do they say about him? Are the masses looking at him and Elon Musk as saviors? What do you see when you look out into this world, will you be convinced by a lie? What if fallen angels present themselves to mankind as the elohim? What if Jerusalem is lost and trodden under foot for 40 and 2 months? Will you recognize the time then? What if the third temple starts getting built, or Tyre and Sidon is wiped out? Can you see the nations of Ezekiel 38 forming coalitions? What accords are being signed? Are they calling for a time of peace? Who will bring the peace, just as prophecy foretold all along? Where is Gaza, friends, what is the state of it?
Zephaniah 2
3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.
4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the Lord is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
Who thought that we would see such a thing in our time? And yet, Zephaniah got it right, thus far. What then of the verses that follow on that?
Have I got your attention yet? Are you ready to be faithful unto death, so Christ may reward you with a crown of life, and you have no part in the second death? Or will humanity continue as in the days of Noah, giving and being taken into marriage? For they were unaware of the incoming waters, until it was too late to find salvation in the Ark that Noah built.
What is our Ark of Salvation, or rather, Who?
Shalom.
YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day
(Expanded)
Galatians 5:13-15 KJV
[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.5.13-15.KJV
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More research
As our verse of the day comes from Galatians, note the location of Galatia on the map below, as we look at the seven churches from the letters in Revelation 2 and 3
Smyrna today
But, for those that want more information, watch “Smyrna | The 7 Churches of Revelation”
It is my sincere hope that this might be of service to you.
God Bless
Shalom
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