THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

Revelation is a book that you must remain focus and True to the theme JESUS IS GOD. Remember the book is UNVEILING THE LORD CHRIST JESUS. The first instructions given to the Church at Smyrna was :  "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; JESUS is teaching us HE WAS HERE BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. HE IS "FIRST" AND THE "LAST" BECAUSE ALL POWER IS IN HIS HANDS AND HE IS ALIVE OF EVERMORE.  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. John 1:10    As early as 195 b.c., Smyrna foresaw the rising power of Roman and built a temple for pagan Roman worship. In 23 b.c. Smyrna was given the honor of building a temple to the Emperor Tiberius because of it's years of faithfulness to Rome. Smyrna became a center for the cult of emperor worship (A MADE UP RELIGION) Nero and Domitian ruled and brought severe persecution. 50 years after John's death, Polycarp, the pastor of the church in Smyrna was burned alive at the age of 86 for refusing to worship Caesar. A large Jewish Community in the city also proved hostile to the Church.  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: .But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.    Roman 2:28-29  JESUS Jewish brothers has troubled the Church since it's birth. Even the Apostle Paul complained to the Father about his Jewish brothers. Paul said they where messages of satan,  " Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.  For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew JESUS not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning JESUS.  And though they found no cause of death in JESUS, yet desired they Pilate that JESUS should be slain.  And when they had fulfilled all that was written of JESUS, they took JESUS down from the tree, and laid JESUS in a sepulchre.  But God raised JESUS from the dead:     Acts 13:26-30    The Church has the same problem today. Anytime JESUS is Preached the evil that's in man come out. Because they never want to CHANGE, They would rather KILL JESUS AND WHO EVER REPRESENTS HIM THEN CHANGE. But this change I've experienced, because I am a JEW A TRUE JEW CIRCUMCISED OF THE HEART !    Now when we grow in the Knowledge of The Lord Jesus we become Rich beyond our imagination.  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor. 2:9   These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33   My sheep hear My VOICE :      And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.    Rev. 2:8-11

Rev. Part # 4