The Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia

Watering the Garden
THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA AND PHILADELPHIA

Of the 7 Churches spoken of in the book of Revelation only two, Smyrna and Philadelphia, had nothing bad spoken against them. It appears that the one thing they had in common was the fact that they were aware of those who say they are Jews and are not. This expression is not mentioned in the other churches.

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

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We need to be aware of the fact and understand that there are some who say they are Jews and are not.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

What Was Unfavorable with the 7 Churches?

Watering the Garden
WHAT WAS UNFAVORABLE WITH THE 7 CHURCHES?

Of the 7 churches listed in the book of Revelation no fault was found with the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. The faults that were found in the others included, they had left their first love, taught wrong doctrine, allowed a false teacher to teach, their works were dead, and they were neither hot nor cold.

Scripture:

Ephesus: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Smyrna: (Nothing unfavorable)

Pergamos: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Thyatira: I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2)

Sardis: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Philadelphia: (Nothing Unfavorable)

Laodiceans: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
(Revelation 3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
There were problems with 5 of the 7 churches revealed in the book of Revelation. We need to make sure that we are not guilty of any of their faults.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

What was Favorable with Each of the 7 Churches?

Watering the Garden
WHAT WAS FAVORABLE WITH EACH OF THE 7 CHURCHES?

We find described below what was of good report concerning the 7 churches listed in the book of Revelation. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos and Philadelphia had the best reports. Sardis and Laodicea had no good thing said of them and Thyatira did not measure up. The highest compliments appear to go to the church of Philadelphia.

Scripture:
Ephesus: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Smyrna: 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.

Pergamos: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith,

Thyatira: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. (Revelation 2)

Sardis: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Philadelphia: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Laodiceans: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Only 4 of the 7 churches described in the book of Revelation had a good report and Philadelphia had the best.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Promises to Overcomers of the 7 Churches

Watering the Garden
PROMISES TO OVERCOMERS OF THE 7 CHURCHES

In the book of Revelation seven churches are presented, giving their good points and their bad. Promises are given to the overcomers of each of these churches.

The promises are: They will eat of the tree of Life, not be hurt by the 2nd death, eat of the hidden manna and will receive a stone with a name only known to receiver of it. They will have power over the nations and the morning star, be clothed in white appeal and the promise that their name will not be blotted out of book of life. The overcomer will also be made a pillar in the temple of God plus be given God’s name and be granted to sit with Jesus on his throne.

It can’t get any better then that. We need to absorb these promises. Read them often and let them become alive in our minds.

Scripture:
Ephesus: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Smyrna: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Pergamos: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Thyatira: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.

Sardis: He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before the angels.

Philadelphia: Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Laodicean: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 2 and 3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
There are incredible rewards promised to the overcomers in the 7 churches.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan