ArmchairAdventists

  Revelation: Justification by Faith The Persecution of Smyrna [By M.L] The second church mentioned in Revelation is Smyrna. Smyrna, along with Philadelphia, is one of the only churches that has no blemish on its record. The historical city of Smyrna was known for its strong emphasis on the imperial cult, where the emperor had to be worshipped. Naturally, this created problems for Christians who recognized only one God. Revelation 2:8–10 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.’" They were enduring persecution...

    Revelation: Justification by Faith The Tree of Life Revelation 2:7 "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." This is the promise given to Ephesus for overcoming. They had their problems. They had lost their first love despite their zeal and sound doctrine, and they were called to repentance. But they are not left without a promise. These promises are for all churches, not just for one angel or for the preachers but for all churches across all times. Ephesus, and especially its angel, needed this, but if we need it, we can accept it as meant for us. They would eat from the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God. Genesis 2 tells us about this: Genesis 2:8 "Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground...

  Revelation: Justification by Faith Ephesus as a Lampstand Revelation 2:1 "Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2. I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3. You have persevered and endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary. 4. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." Revelation 1:20 "The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: Th...

  Revelation: Justification by Faith Ephesus and Its First Love Revelation 2:1 "Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2. I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, and that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be liars. 3. You have persevered and endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." Revelation tells us that the angel, or messenger, of the church of Ephesus, the first of the seven churches, had great zeal for the truth. They could hardly tolerate the so-called apostles who tried to lead the ch...