1S2-22: How To Recognize An Apostate Church Today-Part Three

“To the angel of the Messianic Community in Smyrna, write:
‘Here is the message from the First and the Last,
who died and came alive again:
“I know how you are suffering and how poor you are
(though in fact you are rich!),
and I know the insults of those who call themselves Jews but aren’t
— on the contrary, they are a synagogue of the Adversary.
Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
Look, the Adversary is going to have some of you
thrown in prison, in order to put you to the test;
and you will face an ordeal for ten days.
Remain faithful, even to the point of death;
and I will give you life as your crown.”
-Revelations 2:8-11

I’ve been thrown out of quite a few congregations in my time for speaking the truth…

Such as…

For insisting that contrary to the gentile church’s position, the law has not been done away with…

That the Biblical feasts and the Law of Moses are valid for ALL believers regardless of one’s background…

That the doctrine of the Trinity is rooted in pure paganism…

That the word Easter is the name of a fertility god named Ishtar…

For saying that a man taking more than one wife is NOT a sin…

And so on and on.

Has anyone ever experienced similar persecution?

For being shunned and outcast because of your uncompromising position on certain topics?

If so, then you have some idea of what the members of the congregation in Smyrna went through.

Because they were persecuted by those who were claiming to be followers of God but were not.

Also notice how it says “I know how you are suffering and how poor you are”.

While I can’t say for sure I imagine these members were the type of people the congregation of Ephesus would’ve looked down on as being the uncool and poor losers of this world.

Yet Yeshua reassures them He is well aware of their actions and activities on his behalf…

And that in spite of being “poor” from the world’s perspective, they are actually RICH!

So if you’ve been made fun of, no longer invited to social gatherings or are regularly shunned and shamed by other “believers” for taking a stand for the truth…

As tough as it is…

Know that God is watching…

And in due time, you will be vindicated.