Our weather patterns have become more extreme. There is also more volcanic and earthquake activity.
This black star anomaly impacted the earth about 4,000 years ago, around the days of Noah. Its return is now upon us.
Let us not ignore what has been identified by a group of scientists. I suggest you watch the following video. Is this tied to the catching away and the following judgment I’ve been writing about?
FATHER’S Master Plan requires us to be patient and resolute!
The word resolute means: faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance. Faithful implies unswerving.
The current culture is losing the perspective of being patient. Technology is promoting the need for instantaneous answers. Fast food restaurants are in the same category. “I want it now!” Farmers and ranchers understand patience better than most. It takes time to grow plants and animals.
James wrote by The Holy Spirit in James chapter 1:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
In other Words, as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
People are in a hurry to go nowhere these days. They are in a high-effort activity that produces no progress or meaningful results. It reflects a modern phenomenon known as “hurry sickness,” a chronic, stressful compulsion to rush through life, often linked to burnout. How many drivers really need to break the speed limit, so they get to their destination five minutes earlier?
It was prophesied by The Holy Spirit in Isaiah chapter 60:
1 “Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned, and YAHWEH’s glory now streams from you!
2 Look carefully! Darkness blankets the earth, and thick clouds covers the nations, but YAHWEH arises upon you and the brightness of His glory appears over you!
3 Nations will be attracted to your radiant light and kings to the sunrise-glory of your new day.
Isaiah warns us that it will get darker among the nations as we become brighter from HIS glory. Don’t be surprised at the increased darkness developing among the nations. Now is the time for us to remain resolute in our walk with THE LORD. People will see HIS glory appearing on us and that will draw them to us.
It is also written by The Holy Spirit in Haggai chapter 2:
7 “I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, will shake every nation, and the treasures of the nations will flow in, and I will fill this temple with glory.
8 “I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, declare to you, all the silver and gold is Mine.
9 “I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, declare to you, the glory of this new temple will surpass the glory of the original, and I will grant peace and prosperity in this place. “I, YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, have spoken.”
FATHER makes an emphatic statement: the glory of the new temple will surpass the glory of the original! What temple does HE reference?
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 3:
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is Holy, which temple you are.
You and I, the true church, are the Temple FATHER speaks of in the above passage. Furthermore, HE requires us to be Holy.
Paul issues a warning by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 3:
17 My beloved friends, imitate my walk with God and follow all those who walk according to the Way of Life we modeled before you.
18 For there are many who live by different standards. As I’ve warned you many times (I weep as I write these words), they are enemies of the cross of the Anointed One and
19 doom awaits them. Their god has possessed them and made them mute. Their boast is in their shameful lifestyles and their minds are in the dirt.
We must be patient as we walk according to GOD’S standards and not allow ourselves to be swayed by the worldly culture that exists around us. Our heart must remain established in Truth!
FATHER’S Master Plan requires us to steward the gift of time!
We are to be good stewards of time. Time is one of our most precious resources and we are to be good stewards of time as well as other resources that we manage.
In the 1970’s I worked at the largest bank in Oklahoma, and I was tasked with developing a time management course to be taught to about 150 bank officers. In essence, I created a prioritized To Do List that each person was to follow daily. At the beginning of each day, they were to prioritize their required tasks for the day and put them in one of three sections: A, B, or C. The intent was to focus on A priorities first: A1, A2, A3… Once the A’s were done, then they would start on B’s. The question to be asked, “What is the best use of my time?”
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 12:
35 “Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice.
36 Be like servants anticipating their Master’s return from a wedding celebration. They are ready at a moment’s notice to unlock and open the door for Him.
37 What great joy is ahead for those who stay awake and wait for their Master’s return! He Himself will become their servant and wait on them.
38 He may appear at midnight or even later, but what great joy for the awakened ones whenever He comes!
39 Of course, if they knew ahead of time the hour of their Master’s appearing, they would be alert, just as they would be ready if they knew ahead of time that a thief was coming to break into their house.
40 So keep being alert and ready at all times. For I promise you that the Son of Man will surprise you and appear when you don’t expect Him.”
Jesus expects us to be dressed for service, keep our lamps burning, and be on watch for His return. How do you stack up with His expectation?
Paul urged us as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 13:
11 To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 Night’s darkness is dissolving away as a new day of destiny dawns. So we must once and for all strip away what is done in the shadows of darkness, removing it like filthy clothes. And once and for all we clothe ourselves with the radiance of light as our weapon.
13 We must live honorably, surrounded by the light of this new day, not in the darkness of drunkenness and debauchery, not in promiscuity and sensuality, not being argumentative or jealous of others.
14 Instead fully immerse yourselves into the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, and don’t waste even a moment’s thought on your former identity to awaken its selfish desires.
We are to live in an eager expectation of His return, we are to be vigilant and watchful. We are to abide IN HIM and have His Word abide in us. We are to be engaged in Kingdom service.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 2:
10 We have become His poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!
And King David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 139:
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your Book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Each of us is a part of HIS Master plan. However, it is up to us to accept or reject our part of HIS plan.
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 13:
6 Then Jesus told them this parable: “There was a Man Who planted a fig tree in his orchard. But every time He came to gather fruit from His tree He found none, for it was barren.
7 So He said to His gardener, ‘For the last three years I’ve come to gather figs from My tree but it remains fruitless. What a waste! Go ahead and cut it down!’
8 “But the gardener protested, ‘Sir, we should leave it one more year. Let Me fertilize and cultivate it, then let’s see if it will produce fruit.
9 If it doesn’t bear figs by next year, We’ll cut it down.’ ”
To summarize: The gardener replies: “Give it one more year.” He will dig around it and fertilize it.
If it bears fruit → good.
If not → then cut it down.
The fig tree represents a person (or Israel / believers). The owner is God seeking fruit (repentance, righteousness). The gardener represents mercy/intercession (often understood as Christ) and the extra year is God’s patience and grace. Finally, The cutting down represents judgment if there’s still no fruit.
God is patient and gives us time to repent, but He still expects Spiritual fruit. Mercy is extended… but not forever.
Let us be good stewards of the time we have left!
FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to give a stern warning to the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
However, there was one church He encouraged and had no correction.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 3:
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He Who is Holy, He Who is True, “He Who has the key of David, He Who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My Name.
9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie-indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have Loved you.
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the Name of My God and the Name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God. And I will write on him My New Name.
The church in Philadelphia is one of the two churches Jesus gives no rebuke. It represents a faithful, persevering body.
Jesus holds the key of David: He opens and shuts doors no one can change.
An open door set before them: Opportunity for ministry and access that cannot be shut.
They had little strength yet remained faithful: They kept His Word and did not deny His Name.
Vindication over opposition: Those opposing them would recognize Christ’s Love for them.
Promise of protection: Jesus promises to keep them from the hour of trial coming on the whole world.
Hold fast: They are warned to hold what they have so no one takes their crown.
Jesus gave promises to overcomers: Made a pillar in God’s Temple, never leave God’s Presence, and receive God’s Name, the New Jerusalem, and Jesus’ new Name. What more could we want?
In essence, the Philadelphia church represents faithfulness, perseverance, and obedience despite weakness. Jesus rewards endurance and promises protection, permanence, and honor.
The open door prophetically means:
Opportunity no one can stop
Access to Christ
Protection from coming trial
Participation in God’s Kingdom work
This makes Philadelphia a picture of a faithful remnant with an open door before the end. The members of this church were as the five wise virgins.
The parable of the five wise virgins in the Gospel of Matthew.
The Story is summarized as follows:
Ten virgins wait for the Bridegroom
Five are wise and bring extra oil for their lamps
Five are foolish and bring no extra oil
The Bridegroom is delayed, and all fall asleep
At midnight, He arrives suddenly
The wise virgins are ready — their lamps are still burning
The foolish virgins run out of oil and leave to buy more
While they’re gone, the door is shut
The wise go in to the wedding feast, the foolish disqual
The five wise virgins represent believers who stay prepared for Christ’s return, maintain Spiritual readiness, have genuine, lasting faith (oil), and don’t rely on last-minute preparation.
Why am I writing such a thorough series? I am urging you that you must be ready before He comes… preparation cannot be borrowed from others.
Let us each examine ourselves!
FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to give a stern warning to the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
It is my responsibility to write these blogs out of a heart of Agape Love. One of the most unloving things I could do is to withhold a warning given that we are in the final days of the last days. Those who pursue Godliness and Holiness and give their talents and energy to HIS Kingdom are “awake” and the “time of wrath” will not overtake them as a thief.
I am skipping over the church at Philadelphia for now. Jesus gave the church at Laodicea a stern warning similar to the church at Sardis.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 3:
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My Mouth.
To vomit means: to reject with extreme disgust, especially of a hypocritical behavior; being cast out due to impurity such as immoral practices!
17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne.
Jesus rebukes Laodicea for being lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — and calls them to repent and become Spiritually zealous while there is time.
They were lukewarm — not fully committed to Christ; spiritually self-sufficient (“I am rich… I need nothing”) but actually wretched, poor, blind, and naked spiritually. They were comfortable materially, but lacking true spiritual life/
Jesus tells them to:
Buy gold refined by fire → true faith
Wear white garments → righteousness/purity
Apply eye salve → spiritual sight
Be zealous and repent
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”
Jesus is outside the church, inviting individuals to let Him in.
Jesus is outside the door meaning the church was religious, but He was not truly welcomed in their lives. He is knocking meaning He is seeking fellowship, not forcing entry. Anyone who hears and opens shows us that this becomes personal, not just corporate. Individuals must respond. He will come in and dine is symbolic of a close relationship, communion, and fellowship.
What was the point? They had religion. wealth, and church structure, but they lacked real intimacy with Christ — so He’s pictured outside.
In essence, “ You’re acting like a church, but I’m not truly welcome.”
“If anyone personally opens their life to Me, I will come in and restore fellowship.”
This is the only church where Jesus is pictured outside, not inside.
It shows lukewarm Christianity without relationship.
The promise to overcomers is that they will sit with Christ on His Throne and
Share in His authority and victory.
Laodicea represents comfortable Christianity — wealthy, religious, but spiritually indifferent. What should you do? Repent, regain Spiritual zeal, and invite Him back into true fellowship.
How many churches fit into this category today? Sadly, there are many.
FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to warn the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
It is FATHER’S desire for all believers to attend the Wedding Feast, but only a remnant will attend based on the warnings of Jesus to Sardis.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 3:
1 Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Sardis, for these are the Words of the One Who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know all that you do and I know that you have a reputation for being really “alive,” but you’re actually dead!
2 Wake up and strengthen all that remains before it dies, for I haven’t found your works to be perfect in the sight of My God.
3 So remember all the things you’ve received and heard, then turn back to God and obey them. For if you continue to slumber, I will come to you like a thief, and you’ll have no idea at what hour I will come.
Jesus is referencing the parable of the virgins: five being wise, and five were foolish.
4 Yet there are still a few in Sardis who have remained pure, and they will walk in fellowship with Me in brilliant light, for they are worthy.
5 And the one who experiences victory will be dressed in white robes and I will never, no never erase your name from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge your name before My Father and His angels.
6 So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is now saying to all the churches.
The church looked alive outwardly, but spiritually it was dead. Jesus calls them to wake up, repent, and return to genuine faith.
Jesus points out that a few people had not “soiled their garments”. These faithful believers were still pure and watchful and they would walk with Christ in white garments.
Jesus severely rebukes most of this church. He said, “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead”. Their works were incomplete before God, they were asleep spiritually, and they had forgotten what they received and heard
What Jesus Commands.
Have you been lulled asleep? If so, wake up! Strengthen what remains and remember the Truth you received and keep it before your eyes. Repent!
If they don’t wake up, Jesus says He will come like a thief — unexpectedly. That is where we are today. We are in the final days of the last days.
Jesus gave a promise to the Overcomers, also known as the remnant:
We will be clothed in white garments
Our name is not blotted out of the Book of Life
Jesus will confess our name before the Father and angels
It is important to note that if your name can be blotted out of the Book of Life, then you WERE a believer. That tells us that not everyone will be included in the “catching away”. These are His Words, not mine. Don’t risk your future!
The name Sardis represents:
A church with appearance but no life
Reputation without reality
Form without power
Jesus warns us as believers that we must stay awake, be watchful, and repentant.
The danger is not persecution… but spiritual complacency.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Timothy chapter 3:
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
In other Words, They may pretend to have a respect for God, but in reality they want nothing to do with God’s power. Stay away from people like these!
What “form” means is that they have outward religion, attend church, speak Christian language, have a moral appearance, and participate in rituals and traditions. In essence, they look spiritual on the outside.
What does “power” mean in this context? You have real transformation by the Holy Spirit, you have victory over sin, and you have a genuine Love for Christ. You also live in Obedience and repentance; you are living by faith, not just words.
It’s true inner life with God.
Form without power is like:
A lamp with no oil
A body without breath
A tree with leaves but no fruit
Everything looks right… but there’s no life inside. This is why Jesus said to wake up — they were spiritually asleep while still religious. This was definitely a severe warning to the church.
FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to warn the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
It is FATHER’S desire for all believers to attend the Wedding Feast so let us heed the warnings of Jesus.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 2:
18 Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Thyatira. For these are the Words of the Son of God, Whose Eyes are blazing fire and Whose Feet are like burnished brass:
Jesus Christ is described as having Eyes like blazing fire and Feet like burnished bronze symbolizing judgment and purity.
19 I know all that you’ve done for Me—your Love and faith, your ministry and steadfast perseverance. In fact, you now excel in these virtues even more than at the first.
20 But I have this against you: you are forgiving that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is seducing My Loving servants. She is teaching that it is permissible to indulge in sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
21 I have waited for her to repent from her vile immorality, but she willingly refuses to do so.
22 Now I will lay her low with terrible distress along with all her adulterous partners if they do not repent.
23 And I will strike down her followers with a deadly plague. Then all the congregations will realize that I am the One Who thoroughly searches the most secret thought and the innermost being. I will give to each one what their works deserve.
24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira who don’t adhere to the teachings of Jezebel and have not been initiated into deep satanic secrets, I say to you (without laying upon you any other burden):
25 Cling tightly to all that you have until I appear.
26 To everyone who is victorious and continues to do My Works to the very end I will give you authority over the nations
27 to shepherd them with a royal scepter. And the rebellious will be shattered as clay pots—
28 even as I also received authority from the Presence of My Father. I will give the morning star to the one who experiences victory.
29 So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches.
What were they doing right? They walked in Love. Faith, service, and perseverance. Their works were increasing, not decreasing and this church was active and growing spiritually in many ways.
Their problem was they tolerated a false prophetess called Jezebel who taught believers to compromise, encourage sexual immorality, she promoted eating food sacrificed to idols, and led servants of Christ into spiritual corruption.
The issue wasn’t just false teaching — it was tolerance of it.
Jesus warned them (and us) of His judgment. He gave Jezebel time to repent, but she refused. He will bring judgment on her and followers. All churches will know He searches our hearts and minds so you cannot keep your sins hidden!
Jesus made a promise to the faithful remnant, those who do not follow her teaching:
No additional burden placed on them
“Hold fast until I come”
Promise of authority over nations
Given the Morning Star (often understood as Christ Himself)
The church in Thyatira was Loving and faithful, but compromised by tolerating false teaching, and Jesus calls the faithful to hold firm until His return.
Jesus focused on both churches (Pergamum and Thyatira) where there was compromise and tolerance found among the members, especially sexual immorality and idolatry. We must “hold fast” and not allow such compromise to infiltrate our personal lives.
The world’s culture now promotes both types of compromise. The faithful remnant will not allow such compromise. We must pursue Holiness!
FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to warn the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
It is FATHER’S desire for all believers to attend the Wedding Feast. However, those who compromise will be disqualified.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 2:
12 Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Pergamum. For these are the Words of the One Whose Words pierce the hearts of men:
13 I know where you live—where satan sits enthroned, yet you still cling faithfully to the power of My Name. You did not deny your faith in Me even in the days of My faithful martyr Antipas, who was executed in your city, where satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you. There are some among you who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to eat things that were sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
15 Furthermore, you have some who hold to the doctrines of the Nicolaitans.
16 So repent, then, or I will come quickly to war against them with the sword of My Mouth.
17 But the one whose heart is open, let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will let him feast on the hidden manna and give him a shining white stone. And written upon the white stone is inscribed his new name, known only to the one who receives it.
Jesus commended this congregation in that they held fast to His Name and they did not deny faith even during persecution.
What was their problem? Jesus says they live “where Satan’s throne is” (meaning intense pagan worship and emperor worship). There were some in the church who were compromising and following the teaching of Balaam — encouraging idolatry and sexual immorality. Some were following the Nicolaitans — promoting moral and doctrinal compromise. So while they stayed faithful outwardly, they tolerated false teaching inside… they were compromising!
In 1992, FATHER showed my wife and me what house we should buy. They owner priced the house above what we could afford, and I planned to negotiate the price down. FATHER then spoke these Words to me: “When you negotiate, you manipulate, and manipulation is not of ME!” I repented, and then HE told me what to offer. The owner accepted our offer without any negotiation. Negotiation is in essence compromise.
Jesus warned the church to repent. If not, He will come and fight against them with the sword of His mouth (His judgment through Truth)
Then Jesus made a promise to Overcomers. To those who overcome, they will be given hidden manna (Spiritual nourishment from Christ); a shining white stone; a new name known only to the one who receives it.
In the ancient Roman world, a white stone meant that you were acquitted and innocent. The black stone meant that you were guilty. Jesus is saying the overcomer is declared righteous and accepted. The white stone symbolizes justification, forgiveness, and acceptance by Christ.
In Pergamum culture, a white stone was sometimes given as a ticket to a special feast, often engraved with a name. In this passage, it means that the overcomer will have access to the marriage supper of Christ. It is a personal invitation from Jesus!
The stone was also known as a Victor’s Stone. Athletes and victors sometimes received a white stone with their name Signifying honor and victory.
The believer who overcomes will receives his or her reward, entitled and qualified to attend the marriage feast.
To summarize:
The white stone represents:
Accepted by Christ
Declared righteous
Invited to His Kingdom
Given a new personal identity
What is the lesson? You can be loyal to Christ publicly yet still compromise privately — and Jesus calls His church to purity in both doctrine and lifestyle.
It is vital that we understand the “teaching of Balaam”.
The teaching of Balaam is:
Stay outwardly religious
Allow compromise with sin
Blend God’s Truth with worldly practices
Lead others into it
It is also critical to understand the ‘teaching of Nicolaitans”.
They promoted:
Participation in idol worship
Eating food sacrificed to idols
Sexual immorality
Blending pagan culture with Christianity
“Grace allows you to live however you want”
So the idea was: You can follow Jesus and still live like the world.
The core problem is that the Nicolaitans taught:
No need for Holiness
No need for separation from sin
Compromise is acceptable
Faith without obedience
Jesus says this is dangerous because it corrupts the church from inside!
FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to warn the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
It is FATHER’S desire for all believers to attend the Wedding Feast. Many believers have avoided the Book of Revelation because of its focus on future events that seem hard to understand. However, we should embrace this final Book and take heed to all that It has to do with our future. Jesus’ Words here are every bit as vital to our walk as what He said in the Gospels.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 2:
8 Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Smyrna. For these are the Words of the One Who is the Beginning and the End, the One Who became a corpse, but came back to Life:
9 I am aware of all the painful difficulties you have passed through and your financial hardships, even though, in fact, you possess rich treasure. And I am fully aware of the slander that has come against you from those who claim to be Jews but are not, for they are a satanic congregation.
10 Do not yield to fear in the face of the suffering to come but be aware of this: the devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison to test your faith. For ten days you will have distress but remain faithful to the day you die, and I will give you the victor’s crown of Life.
11 The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is presently saying to all the churches. The one who conquers will not be harmed by the second death.
This was the persecuted but faithful church. Jesus gives no rebuke, only encouragement. Jesus fully understands our tribulation (suffering), financial challenges, what we face as we are slandered and opposed as we remain faithful under pressure.
They looked poor and weak — but Jesus said they were rich spiritually. We must not allow the worldly pressures to affect our walk. Even though we want to live peacefully, we must not be intimidated by persecution from hostile people or false accusations. Our faith will be tested.
Jesus gave us as overcomers two promises: The Crown of Life and, we will not be hurt by the second death. This means that we might die physically, but we would not face Eternal judgment.
To summarize, the church at Smyrna was poor, persecuted, and suffering, yet faithful, and Jesus encouraged them to remain faithful even to death with the promise of Eternal Life.
The name Smyrna comes from the Greek word “smýrna,” which means myrrh.
What is myrrh?
Myrrh is a bitter resin from a tree used for perfume and incense, anointing oil, and is associated with suffering, death, and burial.
In the Bible, myrrh appears at key moments:
Given to Jesus at His birth:
Matthew 2:11
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Offered during His crucifixion:
Mark 15:
22 And they brought Jesus to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
Used in His burial:
John 19:
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the Body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the Body of Jesus.
39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
Myrrh is crushed to release fragrance. The church at Smyrna was persecuted and crushed, yet their faith produced a pleasing fragrance to God.
All names in Scripture have relevance. Smyrna = Myrrh → suffering that produces something precious. None of us want to be persecuted but Jesus assures us that He will honor us as we suffer on His behalf.
FATHER’S Master Plan required Jesus to warn the churches of what would hinder and disqualify them from attending the Wedding Feast!
It is FATHER’S desire for all believers to attend the Wedding Feast. However, it is up to each of us to prepare ourselves lest we be disqualified. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus goes into detail concerning the positives and the negatives found in each church. These are timeless by nature, and we should pay close attention to what Jesus reveals concerning these churches.
Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 2:
1 Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Ephesus. For these are the Words of the One who holds the seven stars firmly in His Right Hand, Who walks among the seven golden lampstands:
2 I know all that you’ve done for Me—you have worked hard and persevered. I know that you don’t tolerate evil. You have tested those who claimed to be apostles and proved they are not, for they were imposters.
3 I also know how you have bravely endured trials and persecutions because of My Name, yet you have not become discouraged.
4 But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate Love you had for Me at the beginning.
5 Think about how far you have fallen! Repent and do the works of Love you did at first. I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place of influence if you do not repent.
6 Although, to your credit, you despise the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also despise.
7 The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying now to all the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give access to feast on the fruit of the Tree of Life that is found in the paradise of God.
Jesus commended:
Hard work and perseverance
Did not tolerate evil people
Tested and exposed false apostles
Endured hardships for Christ’s name
Did not grow weary
Hated the practices of the Nicolaitans (which Jesus also hated)
But what was the problem? “You have left your first Love.” Thy were doctrinally sound and morally careful… but their Love for Christ had cooled. What does this mean?
They lost their passion for Christ Himself (not just Truth about Him). They lost their joy in prayer and worship; Love for other believers; their desire to serve from Love (not duty); and they were no longer had a tender, responsive heart to the Holy Spirit. In essence, their motivation of Agape Love was replaced by simply walking in correct doctrine, moral standards, and discernment.
But they lost the love that motivated it all. They became busy without intimacy; they were right without warmth. They were disciplined without affection and they were serving Christ… without Loving Him first!
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 13:
1 If I were to speak with eloquence in earth’s many languages, and in the Heavenly Tongues of angels, yet I didn’t express myself with Love, my words would be reduced to the hollow sound of nothing more than a clanging cymbal.
And Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 22:
37 Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’
38 This is the great and supreme commandment.
39 And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must Love your friend in the same way you Love yourself.’
40 Contained within these commandments to Love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.”
If we are not motivated by Agape Love, we can be disqualified!
In summary, the remedy Jesus gave was:
Remember — how close you once were
Repent — change heart direction
Return — do the first works again
This means that we should talk to Jesus again, worship sincerely, seek Him personally, and Love Him above ministry. It’s all about Love!