Title: A Daily Devotional
Subtitle: Philadelphia and Smyrna
Description: Feel free to distribute as far and wide as you wish. Bible citations are not
copyrighted. From the King Jesus Version. Pictures from the Public Domain.
 All Glory Be to God and the LORD Jesus Christ Forevermore!!!

Background:
The Book of Revelation begins in Chapter 1, Verses 1-3, “The Revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must
shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant
John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,
and of all things he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the
words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for
the time is at hand.”

Seven churches are named in Revelation and give us, the modern day Church, a
picture of church practices that are approved by the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the
other hand, church practices that are rebuked by the Lord. The seven churches
were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Each account written unto the angel of the church outlines those areas in which the
church is commended, followed by words of rebuke for areas that the church comes
short.

The two churches of the seven that are not rebuked by the Lord Jesus are
Philadelphia and Smyrna (Rev. 3:7-13 & 2:8-11). Philadelphia was the church with
“little strength” that kept the Word of Jesus and did not deny His name. They were
instructed to hold fast what they had so that no man would take away their crown.
Likewise, we should strive to emulate the example of brotherly love and humility
which was apparent in the church of Philadelphia.

On the other hand, the church of Smyrna was impoverished, yet rich. They also
encountered persecution and tribulation, and were instructed to be faithful unto
death, that they would receive the crown of life from the Lord Jesus. To the present
day, fellow believers are persecuted for their faith in countries around the world.
It is our hope this devotional will bless you. Please share the truth with others!

Addendum for the American Churches

The spirit of the world has infiltrated the church in
the United States. In most congregations, there is a
lukewarm atmosphere with a great deal of
worldliness and this trend is increasing at present.
In addition to a weak response to the Great
Commission, many churches do not provide for the
fatherless and widows (James 1:27), and have
drifted into political ideologies, which contradict
following the Lord Jesus, who is not political. Jesus
said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world…”

In addition, many leaders in American
congregations are self-seeking and not humble
servant leader examples following the example of
Jesus and the early church in the Book of Acts /
Paul’s epistles. Many leaders love to have the
preeminence instead of having the Lord Jesus
Christ front and center. There are exceptions, of
course.

Finally, to the observant reader, please note that
American churches that are overrun with political
ideologies are generally either Republican or
Democrat. A good parallel for the Republicans is
Balaam the Son of Bosor who loved the wages of 
unrighteousness (2 Peter 2:15). In contrast, a good
parallel for the Democrats is Jezebel, who seduced
Jesus’ servants to commit fornication and to eat
things sacrificed unto idols. 1 John 2:15 says,
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world, if any man love the world, the love of the
Father is not in Him.”

We are told in scripture not to have fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to
reprove them. Please use this material in
conjunction with God’s Word and pursue the way of
righteousness. May Psalm 1 be a starting place in
this journey...

“Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a
reproach to any people.” - Proverbs 14:34
Subjects: Jesus, Jesus Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ, God, Father, Holy Spirit, Church, Christianity, Church history, primitive and early church, ca. 30-600, United states, church history, United states, church history, 20th century, United states, church history, 21st century, Religious aspects of Humility, Religious aspects of Servant leadership, Reformation, Truth, Righteousness, Teacher of Righteousness, World peace, Neighborliness, Friendship, God (Christianity) -- Worship and love -- Meditations, Repentance, Religious aspects of Marriage, Holy family altarpiece, Epistola ad Philippenses (Polycarp, Saint, Bishop of Smyrna), Asia Minor, John, the Apostle, Saint, Paul, the apostle, saint, Stephen, Christian saints, Family, prayers and devotions, Devotional literature, The Holy Bible, Bibles, king james version, general, Textus Receptus, Bereans, Peter, the Apostle, Saint, Church, unity, Philadelphia, Smyrna, Ephesus, Thyatira, Sardis, Laodicea, Pergamum, Babylon
Places: Jerusalem, London, Philadelphia, Smyrna, Ephesus, Thyatira, Sardis, Laodicea, Pergamum, Detroit (Mich.), Chicago (Ill.), United States of America, Babylon
People: Jesus Christ, John the Apostle, Saint, Paul the Apostle, Saint, Peter the Apostle, Saint, Stephen, Polycarp Saint, Bishop of Smyrna
Time periods: Twenty-first Century, AD 1-90, Nineteenth Century