7 Churches of Revelation:  Smyrna 

Revelation 2: 8-11:  "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: 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. 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. 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.''  

Smyrna was an important trading center in the ancient world. Today it is called Izmir. Modern Izmir is a large and prosperous city. The name means myrrh which is a bitter oil and suggests hardship and death. In biblical times, myrrh was use in the burial preparations. The gift of myrrh at Christ’s death prophesied His death. 

Smyrna was a place of hardship and death for the Christians who lived there. Christians were persecuted, tortured and executed. The Lord recognized their struggles which were made worse when they suffered under the hands of those who should have protected them. Even though believers were suffering and more suffering was to come, the Lord cautions them about a poverty spirit and reminds them that they are indeed rich. In spite of what was happening to them, they were sill rich in the promises of God. The greatest promise is victory for eternity. Revelation 21:7-8: 7.  "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'' 

A poverty spirit is not limited to those who are living under persecution. It exists in and flows out of an ungrateful heart. Most Christians can recite many of the promises of God, but do we live by them? 

Isaiah 41:10-11: “ Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. “ 

Isaiah 26:3:  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You”. 

John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'' 

Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.''  

Philippians 4:6-8: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.” 

Standing on the Promises 

1 Standing on the promises of Christ, my King, 

Through eternal ages let his praises ring; 
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, 
Standing on the promises of God. 
 
Standing, standing, 
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior; 
Standing, standing, 
I'm standing on the promises of God. 
 
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, 
By the living Word of God I shall prevail, 
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain] 
 
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord, 
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword, 
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain] 
 
List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call, 
Resting in my Savior as my all in all, 
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain] 

Refrain: 

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail. 

3 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord, 

4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall, 

---Russell Kelso Carter 

 7 Churches of Revelation: Ephesus 

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Order is important in the Word of God. In a list, the first is often foundational to the message as a whole. The letter to the church at Ephesus is the first of the list. Its message is foundational to all the other 6 letters. Interestingly enough, “Ephesus” means overseer. Perhaps the Ephesus church was the apostolic overseer for the churches in Asia Minor.  

Revelation 2:1-7:  "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, `These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.''  

In the letter, the Lord recognizes the good things that were happening in Ephesus. The believers tested the messages that came to them. They were unwilling to receive false doctrines. They were patient and did not weary in doing good. They recognized the false doctrines of the Nicolaitans who had embraced the ways of the world.  

However, the Ephesian Christians had left their first love. In Galatians 5, the first fruit of the Spirit listed is love and love is foundational to all the others. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.’ 

What a powerful message for the Church through the ages. We can be doing and saying all the right things, but without love, we accomplish nothing.  

We one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. 

We one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. 

And we pray that our unity will one day be restored. 

And they’ll know we’re Christian by our love.