Table of contents of the website
The congregation of Smyrna
« And to the angel of the congregation in Smyrna write: These are the things that he says, ‘the First and the Last,’ who became dead and came to life again: ‘I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich—and the blasphemy by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but they are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison so that you may be fully put to the test, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death.’ » (Apocalypse 2:8-11).
When Jesus Christ says to the Congregation of Smyrna: « I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich », that reminds us of the illustration of the rich man who was storing up treasure. He concluded his illustration in the following way: « So it goes with the man who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God » (Luke 12:13-21). The spiritual wealth, regarding the congregation of Smyrna, was toward God. It represents the price of the Christian integrity toward God (Job 27:5). The spiritual wealth increasing toward God, is the price of trials that the Christian must endure to have a victorious faith, like the members of the Smyrna Congregation.
Jesus Christ does not make any reproach against this courageous congregation, but he encourages them by showing the extraordinary reward that these Christians will have (men and women), « Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death ». In Matthew 12:20 (which is the fulfillment of a prophecy of Isaiah), it is written: « No bruised reed will he crush, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish, until he brings justice with success » (Matthew). « Look! My servant, whom I support! My chosen one, whom I have approved! I have put my spirit in him; He will bring justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise his voice, And he will not make his voice heard in the street. No crushed reed will he break, And no smoldering wick will he extinguish. In faithfulness he will bring justice. He will not grow dim or be crushed until he establishes justice in the earth; And the islands keep waiting for his law » (Isaiah 42:1-4).
It is very likely that Jesus Christ glorified applied this text to this congregation which had serious trials. He encouraged this congregation, knowing all the terrible future tribulation that was going to arise and which he mentioned, concluding with the promise of everlasting life that they were going to obtain by being enduring until the end: « But the one who has endured to the end will be saved » (Matthew 24:13).
***
Table of contents of the http://yomelyah.fr/ website
Reading the Bible daily, this table of contents contains informative Bible articles (Please click on the link above to view it)…
Table of languages of more than seventy languages, with six important biblical articles, written in each of these languages…
***
Laisser un commentaire
Vous devez vous connecter pour publier un commentaire.