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The Second Church Age |
  The Time Period - 170 A.D. to 312 A.D.The Messenger - IrenaeusThe Bible Reference - Revelation 2: 8-11Smyrna - The CityThe Message To The Second Age |
"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)..." Jesus comforts His children with the knowledge that He KNOWS the tribulation and poverty they are called to endure in this Age. He encourages them with the revelation that though they be enduring tribulation, and suffering poverty, yet they are rich - Spiritually. In the Gospels it was to this "spiritual treasure" that Jesus pointed the rich young ruler, saying, "If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me." Matthew 19:21. Regardless of the "portion" appointed us on earth - tribulation and/or poverty, etc., our Spiritual well-being should be our number one concern. What is the condition of our relationship with Jesus Christ - NOT with the church, the creed, the rituals, but with Christ? In His sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6 Jesus instructed the people against putting emphasis on eartly treasures. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,...But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." The Smyrnaean Saints had their treasures in Heaven. Their daily "portion" on earth, in this Second Age was "tribulation" and "poverty". For thus is it written: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. " 2nd Timothy 3:12. Godly living and Tribulation go together - more often than not, it is accompanied by "poverty". Living a Godly life bears witness of the WORD [God] making Himself manifest in the flesh of His children. Such a life is a rebuke to those who only live a "form of godliness" religious life, according to the creed, but fall short of measuring up to God's standard, according to His Word. Thus, are they moved to brand the Godly as being fanatical and persecute them. Under the strain of persecution and poverty Jesus encourages His own to be faithful. In the Smyrnaean Age the Elect of God are under pressure from "within" and from "without". From "within" they feel the pressure of the "deeds of the Nicolaitans" brought over from the First Age, and the pressure of the "false Jews" in the "Synagogue of Satan" here in Smyrna. The "false" ones in their midst, under a religious anti-Christ anointing are attempting to introduce a "man-made" order of clergy over the laity, into the True Church of Christ. The faithful are trying to resist this and at the same time "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3. But from without, the Christian Church [both the True and False Vine] is being persecuted by Jews and Pagans. To the Jews, the Christian faith was a "threat" to Judaism. To the Pagans, the Christians were a rebuke to all that paganism stood for - idol worship, the worship of emperors, pagan customs, festivals, immorality, etc.. Therefore, the faithful were in a warfare against "deception" from "within" and "persecution" from "without". They were indeed experiencing "tribulation", but Jesus was fully aware of what they were enduring. Thus Jesus does NOT say, "I know the persecution you're experiencing", but rather "I know thy "tribulation"...and thy poverty". He was aware of what was going on, NOT just from outside the "body of Believers", but also that which was working in the midst. In this Second Age the "weakened" church was pushed aside, put down, deprived, imprisoned, and persecuted even unto death. And every Age would have it's martyrs for the Gospel's Sake. In this Second Age the persecution is at the hands of the Jews and Pagans. But in future Ages paganism would merge with the "false vine" within the Christian Church and persecute the True Vine. In the face of persecution, tribulation, poverty and even death, the Words of Paul in Hebrews 10:32-38 are a wonderful source of comfort:
The Lord God Almighty says, "I know thy works"; I know what you're going through. But He does not hold back the persecution, nor stem the tide of tribulation. What a stumbling block this is to so many people - not understanding the suffering of God's people through the ages. In this modern age of "reason" man is even more blind to the understanding of why God permits so much suffering. The question is often asked: How can God be just and loving if He stands by and watches His people suffer? There were times wherein Israel also questioned "the Love of God".
God sees the "end" from the "beginning". Before either child was born God knew the choices they would make in life. He knew Jacob's "love" for the birthright and Esau's "couldn't-care-less" attitude toward it. Thus the declaration, "Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated". Man "looketh on the outward appearance but God looketh on the heart". 1st. Samuel 16:7. God sees what man doesn't see. Much of the suffering we see in todays world is the result of sin, man's inhumanity to man. I assure you that God sees it ALL; and every act will be brought into judgement - NOT in our time but in God's time. He, Himself, in the days of His flesh, SUFFERED tribulation, persecution, poverty, thirst, hunger and death. In it all - hanging on a Roman cross, he cried out, "Father, forgive them....." This was LOVE! Hebrews 5:8 tells us that " Though he were a Son, yet [in the flesh] learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him." The very character of Jesus [the flesh-man] was perfected by suffering. And according to Paul He has left His church a measure of suffering that they, too, by their faith in God while suffering for Him, would come to a place of perfection. Why did He want this?
From the suffering of a child to the aged life that has no apparent quality - God SEES it all - and BEYOND. This is proven in the life of God's servant, Job. In his experience we learn that "tribulation (suffering) worketh patience". In Romans 5:3-5 Paul said, " And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Job KNEW that God did not afflict un-necessarily. "For he doth not willingly, or from His heart afflict or grieve the children of men." Lamentations 3:33 - AMP. There was a "reason" for Job's suffering. Rather than accuse God foolishly [Job 1:22], he said, "But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined." Job 23:10-11. In the greatest test of his life Job lost his sons and his daughters, his wealth, his friends, but he found a greater than ever relationship with Jehovah - he experienced the LOVE of God. Such was the Love Christ had for His children in this Second Church Age. He had already, through the Apostle Peter encouraged them to "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trials that are to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1st. Peter 4:12-13 God knows that only through suffering [for the Gospel's sake] will we develop a Christ-like character. We all have trials. We are all tried and chastened as sons. Not one but goes through that. The church [or individual] that does not experience suffering [for the Gospel's sake], and is not being tried, doesn't have the real kernal of the Gospel in it and is therefore NOT of God.
But to His persecuted Children Jesus has promised a "Crown of Life".
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Now, for a moment, Jesus turns His attention to focus on the source of the tribulation and poverty of His children. Finding the source, He accuses them of "blasphemy", branding them as being of the Synagogue of Satan. This scenario reminds of the confrontation which Jesus had with the Pharisees - the religious leaders of that day. The confrontation ended with this rebuke:
The Pharisees were "claiming" to be the seed of Abraham, saying "Abraham is our "father". Jesus responded by saying, "IF ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." True - they were Abraham's "natural" seed but NOT his "faith" seed. In a further attempt to justify their "faithless" form of godliness religion they claimed God as their Father, declaring, "We have one Father, even God". Re-acting to this claim, Jesus made the "blunt" statement: "Ye are of [your] father the devil..," Their "faith" did not in any way compare to that of Abraham. Isaiah 29:13 clearly describes that generation of Pharisees which Jesus dealt with, and the "false Jews" of the "Synagogue of Satan" which the Smyrnaean Saints were contending with. Jesus' biggest battle was with those "from within", claiming to be of the "faith" of Abraham. For the faithful in the Smyrnaean Age, their greatest test was with those "from within" who were claiming to be Christians [spiritual Jews], but were of the Synagogue of Satan. Jesus had already warned his disciples: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." During the days of Jesus the Romans could kill the body but not be able to touch the soul. But the poison and leaven [traditions and false teachings] of the Pharisees would destroy both soul and body in Hell because it gives people only a "form of godliness". Likewise, in the Smyrnaean Age, the Jews of Judaism [opposing Christianity], and the Pagans could kill the body but not be able to touch the soul. But the poison and leaven [traditions and false teachings] of the "false Jews" would destroy the body and soul of many a professing Christian in Hell.
This perfectly describes the false Jews and those of Satan's Synagogue in this Second Age. Many of them are righteous men. But, like the Pharisees, there is "unbelief" in their hearts, and their spiritual WORKS (or lack of them) testify of that unbelief. Their fear of God is "taught by the precept of men". Be honest - What would you think of any man, who would, in this day, say [like Jesus] that the relgious leaders were of the "Synagogue of Satan" and "of their father, the Devil"? But like the "false Jews" in this Smyrnaean Age the Pharisees [in Jesus' day] were claiming to be "True Jews", representing the "faith" of Abraham. But Jesus KNEW what was in them: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27. Jesus also knew what "spirit" motivated the "liars" and "false apostles" in the First Age, and the "blasphemers" and "Synagogue of Satan" in this Second Age - it was the spirit of anti-Christ, impersonating Christianity. If we're going to understand and recognize the "two spirits' at work through these Seven Church Ages, we need to recognize that "both" spirits are religious in the sense that both profess to be of God, from God and for God. We need to be able to discern "the One from the other". Jesus, in Matthew 24:24 warns us: "For there shall arise false Christs [anointed ones], and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect." One is TRUE and the other is False. And all it takes to make it "false" is to deliberately "mis-place, mis-represent or mis-interpret" ONE Word of God. Again we reminded of the Scripture wherein Jesus spoke of those under the influence of the false religious spirit would persecute those under the influence of the true Holy Spirit anointing. In John 16:2 Jesus warned His disciples that the time would come when the true Seed-children of God would be put out of the synagogues and killed; and those putting them out and killing them would think that they were doing God a service. Remember, the deception that started in the Garden of Eden continues all the way through the Ages. In the Garden, Satan [entering into the serpent] began "preaching" the Word to Eve. He deliberately mis-represented and mis-interpreted the Word. To undermine the absolute Truth of what God said he "added" just ONE WORD which God had NOT spoken. In Genesis 2:17 God said, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die". In Genesis 3:4 the serpent [inspired by the Devil] said, "Ye shall not surely die:" He only changed just ONE Word, and thats all it took to get Eve to "disobey" God and bring sin, sickness and death into the world, making man subject to the ravages of "time". We find that "same spirit" working [all through the Ages] in God's New Testament Garden of Eden. The new Eve is the Church but the devil's tactics are the same - change a word here, and a word there, to undermine the Saint's FULL "obedience" to the Word of God. The serpents in the Church Ages are "false apostles". Beginning with the Ephesian "deeds of the Nicolaitans", it evolves into the Smyrnaean "Blasphemers" and "Synagogue of Satan"; and in another Age we confront "Jezebel, the false prophetess". It's all working in the Name of Christianity, using Christian theology but changing a Word here or there [and injecting paganism] as it pleases them, "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." Mark 7:13.
REMEMBER, it is written:
In this message to the Smyrnaean Church Age, in Revelation 2:9b, Jesus said,"I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." He's speaking to "religious" people, and basically saying to them as He said to the Pharisees, "Ye are of [your] father the devil...," What a deception - professing to be the "True Church" they are discovered to be, NOT of God's gathering, but gathered by Satan - thinking they're under God's banner. It's just another "ploy" of the Devil "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2nd. Thess. 2:4 We will come in contact with these "false Jews" and those of the "Synagogue of Satan" again in the Sixth Age. But here in this Second Age they're making a "false" claim as to their true "identity". They claim to be "Jews". What does this mean in the light of the fact that these Messages are addressed to Gentile Churches only? The word "Jews" must fit into the overall Revelation of Christ to this Gentile Church and the Age. Considering it's a Message to Gentile Christians dealing with a "false" influence "within" [and a part of] the Gentile Church, we can only conclude that the reference to "them which say they are Jews, and are not" can only be "figurative" referring to false or hyprocritical Christians. The "figurative" term "Jew" is used because the Jews were once the only Church of God. But, in their rejection of the Messiah "the orthodox Jewish church gave birth to the Gentile Church. That's right." Bro. Branham said that "A Jew, a real spiritual Jew is a man who believes God's Word just like Abraham believed it..." Paul, in Romans 2:29 said, "But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God." Denying their claim to be Spiritual Jews [True Christians], Jesus identified them as being, "the synagogue of Satan". Like the Pharisees in John 8 they were not only "of [their] father the devil," but "the works of their father they were doing" in attempting to set up, in the church an "order of clergy over the laity" [Nicolaitanism] - a doctrine of the "Synagogue of Satan". What does it mean "Synagogue of Satan"? The word "synagogue" is not unlike our use of the word "Church" - it is the "gathering together" of the people. The Synagogue of Satan is a "church under Satan's control". The deception is [as already stated above] that the people "think" they're "doing God a service" [John 16:2], when in reality, there works, creeds and dogma is a dis-service to God. In fact God called it "blasphmey" [evil, slanderous, arrogant speech]. Proclaiming themselves to be the "true" church, they attempt to pressure the faithful ones into submission to the Nicolaitan spirit - a ruling hierarchy in the church. That same religious spirit is right among us today? Practically, all churches claim to be the original and true church. Pointing to a particular church or religious group, they proclaim that salvation is found only in that church or group. Of all the churches, the most blatant in their claims to be the "one and only" is the one that claims to possess the keys of the kingdom which they [supposedly] received from Peter. Of course, they have ABSOLUTELY NO SCRIPTURE or HISTORICAL PROOF for such a claim. Like the false ones in the Smyrnaean Age, they claim to be something that they're not. I say again, what began as "deeds" in the First Age no longer fears exposure but is openly organized in a group of its own assembling, and will in another Age fight against the true church in undisguised hostility and brutality. Yes, an organized antichrist church - astounding but no less the Truth, backed up with history. The first large scale organized church was founded in Rome (we'll cover these facts in the Pergamean Age). They would turned the truth of God into a lie by introducing into the Christian church, pagan forms of worship with Christian names and meanings. It's amazing that the anti-Christ spirit was able to so quickly infiltrate Christianity. By this Second Age it was so pagan (though claiming to be Christian) that Polycarp came about 1500 miles at a very old age to plead with them to turn back. But, having tasted of the power of "organized religion", these false Nicolaitans apostles refused to obey the command to "repent" and "do the first works over again". Under Satan's influence {like Eve in the Garden] they continued to "add to" and "take away" from the Word. This then, is Satan's synagogue, full of blasphemy, in which the seeds of the doctrine of Nicolaitanism are already deeply rooted. Just a few more years and this "Synagogue of Satan" would enthrone a "man" as their leader, and give him a "triple crown", FALSELY signifying his influence in Heaven, Hell, and a so-called purgatory.
The Bible commands us thus:
You might call yourself a "Christian" because you are a member of a particular denominational, inter-denominational, or non-denominational church or group; but church membership does not a Christian make. To belong to a church is have the 'spirit' of that church and be "like that church" or what that church teaches. But to be a "Christian" is to be "Christ-Like". If you are "Christ-Like" then your life will dovetail with what HE says in HIS Word. If indeed you are a Christian you will GROW spiritually. There's more to being a Christian than just saying "I believe IN God". That doesn't make you a Christian. Going to Church doesn't make you a Christian. ONLY a personal EXPERIENCE with Jesus Christ can make you "Christ-Like". And if you have had that EXPERIENCE you will "walk in the Light of His Word as He reveals it to you. By Grace, you will endeavour to BELIEVE, OBEY and LIVE BY EVERY WORD. It is written: "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:" 1st. John 1:6. The Blood will only atone for our sins as we "continue to walk in His Word" John 8:31. Failure to "walk in the Light" takes us out from under the atonement. Notice this Scripture: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1st. John 1:7. This is serious. It is no wonder that the Apostle Paul gave instructions to "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates [not approved]? " 2nd Corinthians 13:5. As soon as the True Church started on it's journey, carnal, un-regenerate people, calling themselves Christians, thought they could improve on God by "organizing" things - their way. They drifted away from the pattern of the Word. All it takes is just one word changed and that little leaven then leavens the whole lump. He that offends in one point of the law is guilty of all. Eve just changed one word and plunged the world world into chaos. The very fruits of "organized religion" shows that it's not of God. Notice how organization separates brethren. It destroys fellowship, causing bitterness to spring up. And the Smyrnaean Age [meaning "bitter"] experienced much bitterness. In Hebrews 12:15 Paul warned the Saints to: "[Beware] lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;" Defiled by organized religion, every Age would feel its scars. It's unfortunate that in all ages the "true Seed" has always been mis-understood and condemned by the organized churches and religious groups. In the Smyrnaean Age the church became hybrid - a mixture. Even today, the church nominal is a hybrid product. People say, "I am a Baptist." It wasn't so in the beginning. "I am Methodist." It wasn't so in the beginning. "I am Pentecostal." But it wasn't so in the beginning. A church creed has replaced the straight Word of God. Instead of saying what the Bible says, the people just recite a creed. Ritual, programs and ceremony have taken the place of spontaneous praise in the Holy Ghost and Holy Ghost filled men, preaching the WORD in it's Power. Intellectual learning in Bible Colleges and Seminaries has taken the place of revelation by the Holy Spirit. Reason has replaced faith. Hybrid religion reject portions of the the Word, saying that "it's not for this day", OR "we don't have to do this and that". They believe the church but not the Bible. Have you ever consider this fact: no organized religion has ever had a "life-giving" Word revival? Once they organized they died. No hybrid product can "reproduce" LIFE. They've had "membership" revivals like the "Million More In '44" by the Baptist. But that's only adding to the church, not to the Body of Christ. In the "Progressive Revelation" of Himself through the Ages, our Lord Jesus has always had to move "outside" the organized churches of the day to bring Revival. WHY? Because the "Creed" of the church would NOT allow Christ to reveal more than what the creed spoke. The best example of hybreeding is the "mule". He's part horse and part donkey. The mule is great at "works" but possesses a stubborn nature and can never be trusted. He can't "reproduce" himself - he's dead while he lives. It's a perfect example of hybrid religion which is part Truth and part error - a sterile, formal religion, with no seed of Life. It can talk about Christianity but it can't produce it. There's no redemption in the mule or mule-like religion. The ass can be redeemed. Every miserable sinner can be redeemed by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, or in rejecting Christ be rejected himself. But you don't redeem the mule. There is no redemption for him. There is no blood for him. There can't be because the mule takes refuge in the church while the ass takes refuge in the blood. There's "no seed" in the mule that can be quickened, but the ass has seed.
Note this Bible example:
In this Smyrnaean Age the roots of the "false Nicolaitan apostles" and the "Synagogue of Satan" go deep into the church, gaining preeminence among the people. And as mentioned above, it will eventually in other ages excommunicate and/or exterminate all who opposes it's teachings. It is a powerful force, imposing it's rule in the Name of Christ. Soon, their leader would take onto himself the title of "The Vicar Of Christ", or Christ's representative on earth, usurping the Authority of Christ's True Representative - The Holy Spirit.
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Knowing what fate awaited the "faithful", the Lord Jesus admonishes them to "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer". As it was with Paul, so it would be with these Saints, the "Grace of God would be sufficient for them", even in the face of death. No doubt they were aware of Paul's encouragement to the Saints in Rome:
The Saints in this Smyrnaean Age would need much encouragement. In verse 10 of His Message to them Jesus advises them of their fate: "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..." The Jews and the Pagans persecuted, imprisoned and tortured the Christians, even unto death. They were fed to the lions, given to the gladiator's sword. It was Satan expressing his hatred against God. Exactly as Jesus had said, they were cast into prison, they were severely tried and tested. But He spoke of a "span of time - ten days" wherein they would suffer "tribulation". This is a prophecy. Taking a day for a year this prophecy refers to the last ten years of the reign of Diocletian, the most cruel of all the emporers. He launched a ten year reign of terror against the Saints of God. But for the mercy and Grace of God, he would have wiped out all the Saints. But supreme faith gave supreme power for the supreme hour of their lives. Praise the Lord! Their wonderful Lord and Saviour was mindful of them and of their sufferings. He gave them this promise: "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." They were indeed faithful UNTO, [NOT UNTIL}, but UNTO death - their faith and faithfulness led to death. But not wihtout hope. Jesus had promised "a crown of life." A crown given to the winner of the Olympic race was a garland of olive branches - it would pass away. But the crown spoken of in Scriptures, given to those who "strive" in the race of life, and to the marytrs, is the crown of Eternal Life. The one crown is for those who have "striven" faithfully; the other is for those who have "given" ALL {unto death] for the Gospel's sake. Thank God for the Faithful in the Smyrnaean Church Age.
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We note again that the exhortation is to "He that hath an ear" to hear Spiritual revelation by the Holy Spiirt, let him hear what is being spoken. Also, once again the Spirit is talking to all the ages - it is a reward which the overcomers of all Ages will inherit. This message is to comfort us today even as it has comforted our brethren of all the other ages. And He says to them and to us that "the second death will not hurt us". What is this "Second Death"? The answer is found in Revelation 20:14: "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." The overcomers in all ages, receiving a "Crown of Eternal Life", will escape the "second death". Death in the flesh comes to all of us [except the raptured Saints], but "whosoever" was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" [the second death]." Thank God for the Hope which we have in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thank God for the Revelation of Him in His Word. The Next Church Age is Pergamos. It will give us further insight into the Deity of our Lord Jesus, the faithfulness of the Saints, the Synagogue of Satam, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans and the doctrine of Balaam. May the Lord, by His Grace, continue to unfold the Truth to our hearts.
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