Revelation: Jesus' Words to the Church of Smyrna:: Rev. 2:8-11

Revelation: Jesus' Words to the Church of Smyrna:: Rev. 2:8-11 from Calvary SLO Church on Vimeo.

+INTRODUCTION
Even though the city of Smyrna was smaller than it’s neighbor, Ephesus to the south it nonetheless rivaled it, in it’s prosperity, due to it’s mass trade, resulting from it’s natural seaport and it’s high standing with the Emperor of Rome.

Smyrna derives it’s name from a valuable resin called, myrrh, which was very popular in the ancient world, believed to have healing abilities due of its strong antiseptic and anti- inflammatory properties. It was also used as an embalming agent. This dark-brown resinous sap would normally be hardened on the outside and soft on the inside. When the substance was crushed or compressed it would often give off a fragrant aroma. The word, ‘myrrh’ in the Hebrew is similar to the word ‘marah’ (bitter).

The name Smyrna and what it represents is an appropriate term, as it relates to the Church which resided there. As the Church in that city began to grow and have an impact, so did the hostility of the cities’ inhabitants. Jesus wrote, “I know your tribulation”. Sadly, this church very early on began to suffer, and yet Jesus clearly states that he’s aware of it, and lovingly identifies himself as One who suffers alongside them by saying, “I, died and came to life”. We are promised in the bible that, those who live Godly will suffer persecution or opposition [2 Tim. 3:12].
In the case of this church in Smyrna they suffered in at least three ways: +physically (tribulation), +financially (poverty) and +emotionally (slandered) [Rev. 2:9] yet, they were admonished to be faithful, even unto death, for they would receive from Jesus great honor, as depicted by being offered the crown of life.

Following the pattern set by Jesus, and echoing the very name of their city, the most fragrant aroma ascended from their lives through this painful process of crushing. It was in their time of trial that they shined brightest. In less than 70 years after this letter was sent, one of the apostle John’s own friends Polycarp, (a local pastor) would have been bound to a stake in the center of town and burned to death. His martyrdom would emanate a wave of encouragement to fearful saints to be bold, and to stand strong in the face of trials.

You Will Suffer - John Piper

When Death is Killed by Life

I wrote an email to someone going through a tough time due to death in their family.  While writing, I was reminded of the great hope Jesus offers, over what appears to be an unconquerable enemy with an insatiable appetite...death!  But, as is often the golden theme in the bible, things are NOT always as they appear.  This is the letter I wrote:



Hi _____,
I'm sorry to hear about the difficulty your family is facing through this season. Death, always seems to rob life + it's joys prematurely. Death is not natural (no matter how people attempt to excuse it away)...it is the result of sin's ominous presence in this world and a continuous reminder that 'things as they are', are not right.

One of my favorite passages on the painful effects of death and Jesus' sovereign authority + power over this titanic enemy, is John 11. Lazarus, who was one of Jesus' best friends, died. All who were present for this sad occasion were full of mourning + drained of tears....Yet:

...Jesus felt their pain + cried with them [John 11.33,35]
...Jesus spoke to their sorrow + offered hope [John 11.25]
...Jesus acted, reversing death + gave Lazarus life [John 11.42-44]

The aim of the events in this scene were to serve as a sign, pointing to Jesus, who came to invert the power of death (appearing as the final mocker) by actually using death, as the instrument to bring life itself. Jesus points to his own death/resurrection by stating, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.' (John 11:25-26). Ironically, on the cross, Jesus, overcame death, by killing it's root, 'sin'. It's in Jesus, this hope, beyond the grave, is realized!

1 Cor. 15:54,55 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

Point them to Jesus!
Share with your family, the life Jesus has given you.
Remember, you were once dead in your sins [Eph. 2:1), yet Jesus brought you to life.

I'll pray for you that God would give you boldness like never before to shine bright...even while standing under the mocking shadow of our defeated enemy, 'death'.

peace, bryan

The unveiling of Jesus' words to the church in Ephesus [Rev.2:1-7]

We've received some video equipment, and are excited about putting it to good use for God's kindgom.

Here's some of the first fruits.

from Calvary SLO Church on Vimeo.

G.R.A.C.E.

I had this emailed to me.  I found it funny + thought I'd share. enjoy
-bryan


Grace, they say, is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. I don’t remember when I first heard that nifty mnemonic acrostic, but I know it was at a young age, and I don’t think I’ve outgrown it. It’s just a hook to hang some teaching on, and it’s a fine, sturdy hook.

But I have studied some more theology since then, and have learned that we can argue about anything, including definitions of grace. So here are some alternative acrostics; something for everybody.

For the Truly Reformed:
God Rejects And Conversely Elects


For dispensationalists:
Getting Raptured After Charting Endtimes

For pietists:
Good Religion = Affective Christian Experiences

For Barthians:
God-centered Redemption Allows Christocentric Eschatologizing

For the Christian existentialist:
Genuine, Real, Authentic Christian Existence

For the Pelagians and Semi-Pelagians:
Go Re-enact All Christ’s Example

For fundamentalists:
Gotta Really Agressively Confront Ecumaniacs

For the Eastern Orthodox:
Greek, Russian, Antiochene Cultural Expectations


For the other Eastern Orthodox excluded from that list:
Giddily Receiving Apophatic Creationless Energies


For Open Theists:
God Reconsiders, And Cooperates Exquisitely


For feminist theologians:
Gender Revolution Anticipates Church Evolution


For the cessationists:
Generally Renouncing All Charismatic Experiences


For pentecostals:
Glossolalia Received After Conversion Experience

For charismatics:
Gombala Ramazoody Alleluia Chombalahombala Essanahanashanahana

For theonomists:
Gospel Requires Absolutely Crushing Enemies

For the emergents:
Generational Resentment Against Conservative Evangelicals

...Sorry if I left you out; or if I didn’t leave you out.