The Church at Smyrna—“Myrrh”

(Approximately A.D. 100 – 325)

              “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 

              “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

              “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that...

         To understand biblical prophecy, we need the mentality of a poet rather than that of a mathematician, or that of a prophet more than a teacher. Many theologians and theological schools are mathematicians more than poets. They have trouble understanding, or even giving credibility to, a language for the heart more than the mind. Although necessary when establishing doctrine, this doesn’t work when applied to prophecy. This seems to be a main reason why many who tried to understand, teach, and write on Revelation sometimes get so far from its actual meaning.

         We need both prophets and teachers,...

         One goal I have for my writings is to take what I acquired from many hours, sometimes years, of study and condense it for those without the time for such research. Even so, knowing and appreciating that many like to go deeper with their own research, I would like to briefly share some great sources for studying Revelation.

         The “Early Church Fathers” is a title given to the leaders of the Christian church before the Council of Nicaea, which took place early in the fourth century. Many of the Early Church Fathers’ writings are still available. As several...

     As we covered, the Lord’s messages to His churches are especially directed to the overcomers and that is the nature we must seek. We must not yield to opposition but resolve to do the will of God, regardless of the difficulty or the threats seeking to stop us.

     The seven churches the Lord addressed at the beginning of Revelation each had strengths that He commended them for, and all but one had major problems threatening their purpose as a lampstand. As we covered, the first church at Ephesus had lost their first love. Because of this, they were...

     This “revelation of Jesus Christ” contains some of the most glorious descriptions of Him, His bride (the church), and the age to come. Its conclusion is probably the most encouraging message in the Scriptures about the future. However, the middle of this revelation predicts some of the darkest, most terrifying events in history, along with the antichrist and harlot church. Yet all are part of the “revelation of Jesus Christ.” Why is such evil included in this revelation of Jesus?

     The “man of sin” personifies the sin of man—what we are without Christ. The deep darkness the church...