Labor Day 2022………Where did the Summer Go?

Intro ~ For the majority of Americans tomorrow is a holiday, a three day weekend. A paid day off. Most don’t care what we are celebration, just that it’s a paid day of.

Labor Day ~ A celebration (which became a federal holiday in 1894) and appreciation for all the hard work put into growing our nation. And thankfulness for the unique rights and freedoms that we have as laborers  here in the United States of America. So in the spirit of that definition.

The church in Smyrna is not found in the book of Acts or in the epistles. These verses contain the only biblical record of the church in Smyrna.

The deity of Jesus (8) “These things says the First and the Last”

God applied this title to Himself in, Isaiah 44:6. Jesus is revealed taking on this title Himself. He is the eternal One who transcends time and space, Colossians 1:17. Jesus is the eternal “I AM”, John 8:58.

The humanity of Jesus (8) “...who was dead, and came to life”

How could the eternal One die? Jesus took on humanity being born of a virgin. He died on the cross “for our sins according to the scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:3. Jesus was buried but resurrected on the third day. The threat of death at any moment hung over every Christian in Smyrna. This would have been a real encouragement to them.

Titus 2:11-15

The gospel reveals grace that both rescues us and empowers us.

Bryan Kurty

The church of Ephesus was founded by the Apostle Paul on his 2nd missionary journey. It became the foremost church in the province of Asia, Acts 19:10. These seven letters were to be read to every church including the entire book of Revelation. These letters are the last recorded verbal message from the risen Jesus. They are for every church in every age. Each letter follows a basic pattern.

Daren Ritchey

The word translated as “revelation” is where we get the English word apocalypse. It means to disclose, to unveil, to reveal.

The human author is John the Apostle (1-2).

The word “shortly” means suddenly. The word “signified” means to make known by signs and symbols. Revelation contains more symbols than any other New Testament book.

 The only book that specifically promises a blessing (3).

This is the first of seven beatitudes in the book. Why would Jesus send an unintelligible message to seven local churches? The word “keep” means to take it to heart to obey. The word “time” is kairos meaning a period of time which is the time of the end which is imminent. The rapture of the church begins this time.