October 15, 2002 (33)
THE CHURCH LOCATED IN SMYRNA. Its name meaning, Myrrh. It is here that we find the church of suffering and persecution. There are a number of nations where the church is greatly persecuted today. This is difficult to reconcile with a teaching of ease and prosperity. Surely, if there are prophetic utterances to the church promising wealth and well being for these last days it should pertain to all of the body, not just a select group. The reality is, that the church is more apt to suffer for righteousness than it is to gain popularity and political power. One of the signs of the end of the age is the fact that the church will be afflicted and hated. Mt. 24:9 Those who maintain their salvation unto the end, shall be saved. Mark 13:13 Smyrna, is representative of the church that is subject to opposition and is living in poverty. Their riches are not of this world. How well we all know that wealth does not bring contentment and satisfaction. Only Christ can possibly meet and satisfy the innermost desires of the human heart. Is persecution a thing of the past? If so why are there Christians being persecuted today? When will our turn come? The prophecy of Paul was that all those who have a strong desire to live a holy and Godly life in Christ Jesus SHALL suffer persecution. Is it possible that we are not living that kind of a separated life that generates persecution? Certainly we do not want persecution, but it is recorded that it will happen. 2 Tim. 3:13
BE WARNED, BE PREPARED. They were also troubled by religious hypocrites working within the body of believers by representing themselves as converted Jews. When in reality, they were of the synagogue of Satan. False teachers, presenting heresies and false doctrines, misleading the people. We are warned of disruptions that will come within the ranks of Christianity, particularly in the last days. 1 Tim. 4:1 Jesus warned that there would be MANY false prophets and that MANY would be DECEIVED by them. Mt. 24:11 Paul warned of FALSE APOSTLES masquerading as apostles of Christ. 2 Cor. 11:13 This is not an amazing thing, for Satan himself represents himself as an angel of light. His great deception will be accomplished and completed in the person of the antichrist. 2 Cor. 11:14 That segment of the church that is seeking after the spectacular is positioning themselves for the revelation of the antichrist. He will burst upon the scene with all manner of sensational acts, with ALL POWER, miracles, breath taking signs, {unusual occurrences, manifestations}, many of which have no previous spiritual history. They are not recorded in the Word as having take place in Bible days. Lying Wonders, amazing events, impressive even breath taking displays of the extraordinary and very obviously, supernatural. 2 Thes. 2:9 This is an issue that every generation of Christians have had to face. Unfortunately, we are living in the end of the age where these things are increasing in great volume. Those who deceive are themselves deceived and will multiply in numbers and wickedness as we come closer and closer to the end of the age. 2 Tim. 3:13