![]() "A crown of life" recalls the garland wreath awarded to the victor in the games. ![]() " captures the theme of Revelation in two words. Both see themselves as small and weak - "poverty" (2:9), "little strength" (3:8) - yet Jesus recognizes their true strength.Ģ:10 "Be faithful. "Poverty." Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches for which Jesus offers praise unmixed with criticism. In fact they served their father the devil (John 8:44) who led them to destroy God's true people. In Smyrna, Bishop Polycarp was burned at the stake for his faithĢ:9 "A synagogue of Satan" describes a religious community that consisted of only outward Jews, not true followers of the Lord. Its strong allegiance to Rome resulted in great persecution for Christians. This beautiful, proud city was larger than Ephesus, with a population of about 200,000. The Church in Smyrna (2:8-11)Ģ:8 "Smyrna" is only one of the seven cities still lived in - modern Izmir. Eating the fruit is symbolic of eternal life (Genesis 3:22). Paradise symbolizes the final state in which God and man are restored to that perfect fellowship which existed in the Garden of Eden before the entrance of sin into the world. in the paradise of God." "Paradise" comes from a Persian word for a "pleasure garden or park." See Genesis 2:9, 15 3:22-24 and Revelation 22:2. Questions for the Forum are indicated by numbers preceded by the letter Q.)Ĭontrast the "overcomers" with others in Revelation 21:7-8: But your time answering will build your understanding. How is a Christian able to overcome according to the following verses? (This question and others are For Your Information, not to share on the Forum. This word is used a number of times in Revelation. We resist and stand successfully against Satan's temptations by our faith. The Greek verb nikao, means "to win in the face of obstacles, be victor, conquer, overcome, prevail" (BDAG 673). How can a local congregation lose its "first love" for Jesus? What are the signs of genuine love for Jesus in worship and ministry? How does the lack of love show up? How can a congregation regain this love?Ģ:6 "Nicolaitans" were a sect in the church that led Christians to compromise the holy standards of the church by encouraging involvement with the idolatry and sexual immorality (2:6, 15, 20-21) that was prevalent in the idolatrous culture of Ephesus and surrounding pagan cities.Ģ:7 "To him who conquers" (NIV "overcomes"). Famous Christians who lived and ministered there include Aquila and Priscilla, Paul (Acts 19:8-10), Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3), and the Apostle John (Eusebius,Ģ:4 "Abandoned the love you had at first." A discerning but cold orthodoxy (verse 2) had replaced the fervent, contagious love which once characterized the church (Matthew 24:12-14).Ģ.5 "Remove your lampstand." If the church turns inward and forsakes its light-bearing responsibility, the Christ removes it ("your lampstand") from the community. The Temple of Artemis (Diana) was four times the size of the Parthenon ofĪthens and considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Contained temples to three Roman emperors. "Ephesus" is the most important city of Asia at the mouth of the Cayster River, an important commercial and export center for Asia. walks in the midst." Christ has the leaders/angels of the churches in his control He is present in their midst and aware of their activities (Leviticus 26:11-12). ![]() "Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand. A personification of the prevailing spirit of the church (Mounce, Swete, Morris). ![]()
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