King's Chapel EBS

The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1835 Rev. kc 4

Let's pay close attention to what Jesus says to the church in Smyrna,
for there are only two churches that Christ will find no fault with,
this one and the church in Philadelphia. Hey, go with a winner!

Just as a reminder, and for those who have recently joined our study,
we saw a Picture in chapter 1 of Revelation, where Jesus Christ, in His glorified body,
was standing in the midst of seven candlesticks (churches),
with seven stars (representing angels) in His right hand,
and a sharp twoedged sword (the Word of God) proceeded out of His mouth.

Christ then turned to each church and began addressing them,
noting their doctrines and giving to them His instructions.

He uses His servant John, the disciple whom Jesus loved,
who was taken to the day of the Lord, i.e. the first day of the Millennium,
to record His words to the churches which are present THEN, even now in the 2000s, not in 96 A.D.

We now continue to see what Jesus Christ has to say to the churches of today.

He is real concerned with what they teach.

Are you?

If so, let's pay close attention to this next church, the church in Smyrna,
for there are only two churches that Christ will find no fault with,
this one and the church in Philadelphia.

Hey, go with a winner!

We will find that they share a common teaching,
so whatever it is it must be very pleasing to Christ.

Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

You will notice that Christ will give a few of His credentials to each church as He addresses them.

And it is fitting that He says He was crucified and is alive, i.e. rose again, to the church of Smyrna.

Why?

Because they, along with the church of Philadelphia,
know who it was that brought about the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior,
and it wasn't our brother Judah!

Let's check it out.

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) andI know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

You won't find these Smyrna folks featured on the earthly TV show, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous".

But they are featured in the heavenly version.
And one thing is for sure.

Though they may have tribulation and even poverty (as the rich would define it),
they wouldn't trade their pearl for all the money in the world.

They know what they've got!

Now notice what identifies the church of Smyrna.

They know who the blasphemers are that say they are of Judah,
who run around claiming to be God's chosen people,
while all along they are liars and are of the synagogue of Satan.

Let's read it again just as Christ said it: Rev. 2:9 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.

Whew, that's pretty powerful stuff!

You bet!

Jesus Christ identified these same impostors who lay claim to God's inheritance in John chapter 8.

The scribes and the Pharisees were trying to "sell" their lies, deception, to Jesus Christ Himself (talk about bold).

John 8:39-44 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

Jesus knew full well that they weren't descendants of Abraham,
and so do the folks of the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia.

How about you?

[40] But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

Let's see here.

The religious leaders of the church, the "Oh So Holy Men of God, in their fancy robes",
are PLOTTING MURDER and yet claim to be children of God. Ye, hypocrites!

[41] Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Christ told them they do the deeds of their father, which is not our Father!

Their rock is not our Rock(Deut. 32).

And even when they are exposed as frauds, they continue to lie.

[42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
[43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

It's pretty obvious they don't have a pair of those "ears to hear".

[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Oh, look here!

Their father is the devil, who sired their father the first murderer.

Like father like son, "Liar, Liar, pants on fire".

Time for another pop quiz.

Who was the first murderer in the Bible?
A) Cain
B) Cain
C) or Cain

Good, you got it right!

They were Kenites, the sons of Cain.

It was the kenites who killed Christ, not Jews descendant of our brother Judah.

Take the time to look up the word "Jews" in Strong's concordance.

You will find it is the Greek word Ioudaios, which means either a person of Judah's descendants
or a person who resides in the land of Judea. People are often identified by the land in which they live.

If you live in Texas you could be called a Texan.
If you live in Judea you could be called a Jew.

Note: We will be addressing the subject of the Kenites throughout the Book of Revelation, so just be patient if this is new to you.

However, if anyone would like to be brought up to "modern times" concerning Rev. 2:9 and 3:9
then do some research on the subject of Khazars.

Here's a quote from one paragraph in the Encyclopedia Britannica:

"Khazar civilization shows a fairly complex texture and their religious life raises more than one problem... About 740 the Khazar ruler - and probably the greater part of the ruling classes - were converted to Judaism. The circumstances of the conversion remain obscure, the depth of the Jewish layer difficult to assess; the fact itself is, however, undisputed and unparalleled in the history of Eurasia. ... The story of this conversion of the Khazars had a considerable and lasting impact on the western world."
Editors Note: log unto Google and do a search on the word Khazar. The Thirteenth Tribe

You take it from here.

Now let's return to Revelation.

Rev. 2:10 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.

Whoops!

Someone doesn't like these people of Smyrna.

Some, not all, from this church shall be imprisoned, and delivered up and put on TRIAL.

CNN, MSNBC, Internet Broadcasting, etc. will carry these trials live, from Jerusalem,
for the whole world to see. And believe me, everyone will be watching.
(Good, good, that's the plan, a worldwide forum for God's elect!
The Holy Spirit will take it from here.)

Of course, this is nothing new. Christ talked about these trials in Matthew 24 and Mark 13.

Let's check it out.

Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Now we know why they will be tried in the councils of the synagogue of Satan.

For "my sake", i.e. for Christ's sake.

This is a religious matter.

Satan will be here claiming to be the Messiah,
and God's elect, some of those rascally Smyrnites,
will be singing "Liar, Liar, pants on fire".

[10] And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

The word "published" is better translated "proclaimed".

Look it up yourself.

So can you see how this is accomplished at the TRIALS?

Continuing in Mark 13:

Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Like we said, the Holy Spirit will take over from here,
and that "tongue" spoken on Pentecost Day in Acts chapter 2 will once again be spoken.

And everyone in the world will "hear" God's elect speak in their own native language.

There won't be any need for any interpreters.

Think carefully now.

Remember the picture we were given?

The message to the churches, and to the whole world for that matter,
comes directly from the mouth of Jesus Christ
(His Sword, the Word).

Right?

That's why God's elect are not to premeditate what they will say.
They won't have to! It will be the Sword of Christ, His Word, the Holy Spirit of God,
proceeding directly out their mouths to proclaim His Gospel to this world.

What an exciting time we live in!

This is reality!

And finally to the church of Smyrna, Jesus says:

Rev. 2:11 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.

Got your "ears" on yet?

You too can be part of the church of Smyrna or Philadelphia.

And did you know that when you take part in the first resurrection,
when Christ returns, that you receive eternal life THEN.

Therefore, the second death, which is the lake of fire, doesn't pertain to you.

What a fantastic reward.

So maybe you're beginning to think that being a Christian soldier in these last days requires some guts.

Well, maybe so. But when you have the gospel armor (Eph 6) on and in place
and Jesus Christ lets you carry His twoedged Sword (and He does if you're willing),
then, as He says over and over again, there is nothing to fear.

Then again, if it's still too much for you, there's five other churches you can choose.

Good luck!

Now, let me see if I got the picture:

Jesus Christ, who is standing in the midst of the churches (hmmm, equal distance from all, that's fair), is going to use His messengers, the seven angels, to send a message, directly from His mouth (His Word which is the very, very sharp twoedged sword), to all seven churches, meaning ALL churches.

Hey, I got it!

Oh!

This must be very serious.

I wonder what He has to say to them?

Keep in mind that these are church "types",
and although some will resemble certain denominations,
it is not our intent to identify specific religions and/or organizations.

Christianity is a personal relationship between Jesus Christ and each one of us.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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