A Letter to the seven churches in asia Revelations 1, 2 A Letter to the seven churches in asia

Revelations 1 11 – saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, …

Revelations 1 3 – Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, & heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near;

Church of Smyrna chapter 2:9, 10 I know your tribulations Do not fear what you are about to suffer The devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested

David & Bathsheba As leader of God’s nation - David’s sin allowed God’s enemies to speak against the Lord This brought about the death of their son – they could not keep the symbol of their sin

Heb 12: 4, 5, 6 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whome He receives.” Prov 3 It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

Heb 12:10, 11 For they (earthly fathers) disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He does so for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

jAmes 1:2,3,12 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for one he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Job 2:9, 10 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die. But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (did not sin or blame God) Integrity: the quality or state of being complete, unimpaired or perfect condition

Rev 2:9 I know your tribulation and I know your poverty Mtt 19:23 Jesus tells the rich young ruler to sell his goods and enter the kingdom of heaven; easier for a camel to go through eye of a needle – with people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible Jas 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love Him? Atheist Karl Marx: “religion is the opium of the poor.”

I Tim 6:9 Sower – thorns = worries & deceitfulness of wealth

Rev 2:9 I know the tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) I Tim 6:17-19 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches , but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share … (Mtt 25:goats/sheep)

2 Cor 11: trials & sufferings - In more labor, more imprisonments, beaten without number, often in danger of death, stoned once, shipwrecked 3 times, frequent journeys, dangers from rivers, robbers, my own countrymen and Gentiles, etc…. YET – Philippians 4: 11, 12 – I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in. Whether in be with humble means or prosperity; filled or going hungry; having abundance or suffering in need – content !! (paraphrased)

Rev 2:10, 11 suffering / receiving the crown of life “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. … He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. Jhn 14:2, 3 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go & prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to my self, that where I am, there you may be also.

Crown of life Rom 6:8,9 “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. The Book of Revelation is about the victory of Jesus over Satan and the ushering in of the new heaven and new earth.