January 19, 2006
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More interesting Revelation facts from my private study. Revelation 2 & 3
Each letter presents part of an aspect of Jesus that was mentioned in Revelation Chapter 1. In order to get a complete picture of Jesus, you need the revelation from every one of the seven churches, we must be the WHOLE body of Christ, not just a denomination.
Another thing to realize is that each of these letters, besides talking about a church at the present time when John wrote the letters, is prophetic. That John also wrote about the development of the church age. And that the facts listed in the letters did not occur in history until well after John died.
And the last thing to note is that every letter ends with, “He who has an ear, let him hear with the Spirit says to the churches.” These letters are also meant for each of us today, because don’t forget, we are the temple of Christ.
THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA
In Greek, Smyrna means Myrrh. Myrrh was a burial spice. It was mentioned three times in Jesus’ life. First he was given myrrh when the wise men came to give their gifts. It was a foreshadowing of what would happen to Him in the future. Then myrrh was offered when Jesus was on the cross – it was a drug to ease some of His suffering, and Jesus refused to take that, rather He chose to face fully what He was sacrificing for us, then it was brought to the tomb on the third day, and was not needed because Jesus was risen.
One interesting thing is to look at Isaiah 60:6 This talks about the gentiles bringing wealth to Israel, and it says “The multitude of camels shall cover your land. The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.” This talks about when the Lord will rule and reign at the end time, when Israel is returned to their land. Notice that the only gifts talked about are Gold and incense – myrrh is not mentioned. It is not needed in Jesus’ second coming because He has overcome death and will not need the burial spices.
Now, given that the name Smyrna (myrrh) refers to what the church was going through, it is interesting that Jesus is called the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life. This is a church that Jesus did not have a complaint against, but He was fully aware of the persecution that they were going through. In the church age, this represents the time period from 100 AD to 312 AD the time when the Roman rulers were seriously persecuting the church. During this time there were 10 rulers that caused the death of millions of Christians. So it is interesting that John wrote in verse 10 that the devil would through some of them into prison and they would be tested and have tribulation for TEN days – and the number of rulers that caused them grief was 10 rulers.
And the vision of Jesus is that if they are faithful until death they will be given the crown of life. And these people will not be hurt by the second death. That is Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
I am in such amazement at how intricate the prophesies are in the Bible. No matter how deeply I dig in the Word, there is still so much more to discover. What an awesome God we serve.
I hope you have a blessed evening.
Heather
Comments (22)
Amazing, indeed!
Also amazing is the depth, seemingly inexhausible, of scripture….awesome what the Holy Spirit can teach through it to the teachable heart.
blessings…Jim
Wow… that’s amazing!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
:: Kevin
Very interesting, I didn’t know that about Smyrna.
Love, Bee
I am convinced that every intricate thought in the Word of God is given to bring revelation, clarity,inspire thought to apply to or daily lives.
I hope as you continue to sort that you see the incredible order that God has in place. James 1:5 says “If we lack wisdom he will give it.
Very interesting, thanks for the meat! God Bless you!
Vrey interested study, Thankyou again and again for your counsel and your prayers
Thank you for the loving comments to my posts. Thank you also for sharing your studies and experiences with us. I’ve just subscribed to your blog. I also read back a few days. I understand what you’re going through.
I find it awesome that one day you struggled with snippets of thinking you were unlovable because if your parents didn’t love you, how could God? And then the next day your visitation was brought back to memory.
The bottom line that I had to learn that brought me back and able to forgive the very church that had “hurt” me (long story), is that the rotten actions of people do NOT change who God is. God is our creator, our Father, our Protector, who sent His own Son to die for us and who now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us and helping us, as well as being the Holy Spirit who does the Work of the Father and Son and who made the visitation happen (for one thing). And he gives us the Holy Spirit to live inside us to help us become more like Jesus (and you are).
And He loved you before you were even born, so your parents’ treatment of you isn’t even in the equation, where God’s love is concerned.
There is a scripture that I can’t remember where it is, that says that NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God. It isn’t in the list in scripture, but I’m sure that would include “lack of parental love”.
Love to you, my sister, Gerrie
Great post tonight, Heather! I appreciate your thoughts!
I’m excited to see that we can hear some of your pastor’s messages. I’ll have to come back ‘n do that… maybe over the weekend. Have a full day tomorrow and it’s too late tonight, but hopefully Saturday.
I’m continuing to pray for you. May God bless you in ways you never thought possible! He loves you so-ooo much Heather!!!
Have a “Happy TGIF Day” tomorrow!
((((( HUGS )))))
Heather, you are obviously one who loves to dig in His Word and that blesses me greatly!! I am enjoying your site immensely…Looking forward to more insightful bloggings from you! With much love and many prayers, paula
hey heather –
it is a blessed hope that is within us – no doubt.
interesting post— i really enjoy reading your insights into the word of God.. and thanks for the encouraging word on my site.
Jenn
Hi there! RYC: I think sometimes we see years later how God was with us in our past circumstances. Just being able to come through some of them still alive is showing the Lord’s hand upon us. I pray that you’ll be able to see just how often God was indeed with you and truly realize He’s always with you now, even if you can’t see Him. GOd bless you and may He continue to speak to you and teach you as you consume His Word. HUGS~!
Be nice if there was a ‘clean the house’ button on the puter too! I could think of quite a few I’d like to see on there! loll ol
great study!……..always neat to read what others have read and their takes on it..thoughts….always hear something I didn’t catch before you know?
Hi Heather,
You constantly come by my site and I am a slacker of the BIG variety. I’m trying to spell big BOIG, I cannot type. hehehehehe. There is not much new today, same ole stuff. Told Christie that I am off to make some frozen waffles, but well, toasted ya know.
love ya Heather
Robert
Hi Heather..
Thanks for stopping and leaving comments. You are such a blessing and I want to enocurage you to continue to be used of the Lord. I pray that your day will be a blessed one and also thanks for praying for Ruth. The tests and procedures have shown nothing so far.. and we are continuing to trust the Lord on her behalf.
Phil
Hi! Great insight, thanks for posting this. Revelations is probably one of the books that scares me the most in the bible. There is so much symbology in it…Guess I just see it as a huge deal to finally sit down and study. Until that day, I’ll live vicariously through your insight posted here on xanga. Thanks for sharing.
my comment makes me seem rather lazy…but I think you know what I mean
God is soo Amazing! I just started Revelation, because my Sunday shcool girls from last semester were interested in learning more about Revelation and the end times. I didn’t feel lead to teach Sunday school this semester, so I’m just sending them an e-mail periodically going through the book of Revelation. What you wrote is very helpful in breaking it down and taking it piece by piece to be more understanding! Thank you and praise the Lord for His faithfulness in providing! I hope you have a wonderful week! ~julie:)
This is good stuff. Am anxious to hear the rest of the breakdown. ryc that’s cool that hubby is one of your best friends.
Tim
Fantastic post…most excellent food for thought~~~I loff FFT!!!
ryc: Thanks! : )
Hi Heather,
Those are some interesting thoughts on Smyrna. Have you look at what I wrote about it on Oct 2?
God Bless you!