A Daily Devotional: Philadelphia and Smyrna

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Feel free to distribute as far and wide as you wish. Bible citations are not copyrighted. From the King Jesus Version. Pictures from the Public Domain. All Glory Be to God and the LORD Jesus Christ Forevermore!!! Background: The Book of Revelation begins in Chapter 1, Verses 1-3, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Seven churches are named in Revelation and give us, the modern day Church, a picture of church practices that are approved by the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the other hand, church practices that are rebuked by the Lord. The seven churches were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each account written unto the angel of the church outlines those areas in which the church is commended, followed by words of rebuke for areas that the church comes short. The two churches of the seven that are not rebuked by the Lord Jesus are Philadelphia and Smyrna (Rev. 3:7-13 & 2:8-11). Philadelphia was the church with “little strength” that kept the Word of Jesus and did not deny His name. They were instructed to hold fast what they had so that no man would take away their crown. Likewise, we should strive to emulate the example of brotherly love and humility which was apparent in the church of Philadelphia. On the other hand, the church of Smyrna was impoverished, yet rich. They also encountered persecution and tribulation, and were instructed to be faithful unto death, that they would receive the crown of life from the Lord Jesus. To the present day, fellow believers are persecuted for their faith in countries around the world. It is our hope this devotional will bless you. Please share the truth with others! Addendum for the American Churches The spirit of the world has infiltrated the church in the United States. In most congregations, there is a lukewarm atmosphere with a great deal of worldliness and this trend is increasing at present. In addition to a weak response to the Great Commission, many churches do not provide for the fatherless and widows (James 1:27), and have drifted into political ideologies, which contradict following the Lord Jesus, who is not political. Jesus said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world…” In addition, many leaders in American congregations are self-seeking and not humble servant leader examples following the example of Jesus and the early church in the Book of Acts / Paul’s epistles. Many leaders love to have the preeminence instead of having the Lord Jesus Christ front and center. There are exceptions, of course. Finally, to the observant reader, please note that American churches that are overrun with political ideologies are generally either Republican or Democrat. A good parallel for the Republicans is Balaam the Son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousness (2 Peter 2:15). In contrast, a good parallel for the Democrats is Jezebel, who seduced Jesus’ servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 1 John 2:15 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.” We are told in scripture not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to reprove them. Please use this material in conjunction with God’s Word and pursue the way of righteousness. May Psalm 1 be a starting place in this journey... “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” - Proverbs 14:34

subjects: Jesus,  Jesus Christ,  the Lord Jesus Christ,  God,  Father,  Holy Spirit,  Church,  Christianity,  Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600,  United states, church history,  United states, church history, 20th century,  United states, church history, 21st century,  Religious aspects of Humility,  Religious aspects of Servant leadership,  Reformation,  Truth,  Righteousness,  Teacher of Righteousness,  World peace,  Neighborliness,  Friendship,  God (Christianity) -- Worship and love -- Meditations,  Repentance,  Religious aspects of Marriage,  Holy family altarpiece,  Epistola ad Philippenses (Polycarp, Saint, Bishop of Smyrna),  Asia Minor,  John, the Apostle, Saint,  Paul, the apostle, saint,  Stephen,  Christian saints,  Family, prayers and devotions,  Devotional literature,  The Holy Bible,  Bibles, king james version, general,  Textus Receptus,  Bereans,  Peter, the Apostle, Saint,  Church, unity,  Philadelphia,  Smyrna,  Ephesus,  Thyatira,  Sardis,  Laodicea,  Pergamum,  Babylon

People: Jesus Christ,  John the Apostle, Saint,  Paul the Apostle, Saint,  Peter the Apostle, Saint,  Stephen,  Polycarp Saint, Bishop of Smyrna

Places: Jerusalem,  London,  Philadelphia,  Smyrna,  Ephesus,  Thyatira,  Sardis,  Laodicea,  Pergamum,  Detroit (Mich.),  Chicago (Ill.),  United States of America,  Babylon

Times: Twenty-first Century,  AD 1-90,  Nineteenth Century