Playlist:

playlist Go to the Smyrna, Letter to (topic) playlist

Letters to Seven Churches (Part Three): Smyrna

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christ prepared the members of Smyrna for martyrdom, promising them eternal glory for enduring a relatively short time, looking at things from a hopeful perspective.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Nine): Philadelphia

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When Jesus warns us not to let anyone take our crown, He encourages us to endure over the long-haul and not bask in the glory of a brief, victorious accomplishment.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Ten): The Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ups and downs, blessings and trials, have characterized every era of the church. God's people are always battling something negative between the brief highs.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Eight): Overcoming

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Each of the letters in Revelation 2 and 3 speak of overcoming. By examining those churches, we can understand what we are up against and what we must do.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Eleven): Laodicea

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Laodiceans fail to reciprocate Christ's love for them. The comfort of prosperity blinded them to their spiritual condition, especially their need for Christ.


The Seven Churches (Part Four): Smyrna

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ's letter to the church in Smyrna contains a rarity among the seven churches: He levels no criticism! What makes the Smyrnans so acceptable?


Smyrna: Faithful Until Death

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

The biblical city of Smyrna may be one that many know the least about. The city's name reveals the themes that the Head of the church wants us to understand.


Does God Want You to be Rich?

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Laodiceans think of themselves as rich, while God sees them as poor. But Smyrnans see themselves as poor, yet God says they are rich! What are true riches?


Hope to the End (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We need these horrific times and conditions to learn the consequences of foolish decisions in order to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.


A Truth About Revelation 2 and 3

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the Day of the Lord, Christ stands in the midst of all seven churches. We are to learn from the lessons from all seven, not get sidetracked by eras.


But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?

'Prophecy Watch' by David F. Maas

In the letters to the seven churches, Scripture foresees that a dearth of steadfastness marks the time of the end, but Christians are urged to hold fast.


He Who Overcomes

Sermon by John O. Reid

Just as fighting to escape its cocoon strengthens the butterfly, our calling requires effort above what the world has to endure to become free of Satan's cocoon.


Blessing Promises: Our Spiritual Inheritance

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

When we ask to be blessed, it should be exclusively on God's terms. What God has done in our lives is the best preparation for our future responsibilities.


I Know Your Works

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Contrary to Protestant understanding, our works emphatically do count - showing or demonstrating (not just telling) that we will be obedient.


Revelation 2-3 and Works

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The letters in Revelation 2 and 3 are for the end times, shortly before Christ's return. Each emphasizes repentance, overcoming, and judgment according to works.


What Is the 'Synagogue of Satan' (Revelation 2:9; 3:9)?

Bible Questions & Answers

The word synagogue comes from a Greek word meaning 'assembly of men' or 'congregation,' and is similar to the word 'church.' Satan counterfeits God's way.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Seven)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The letters to the seven churches of Revelation warn of losing our first love, heeding false teachers, compromising God's Truth, and forgetting right doctrine.


Where Is Your Trust?

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In times of trouble, where is our trust? The Kingdom of God is what we should be seeking—not a self-satisfied avoidance of suffering.


Is America a Christian Nation? (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Constitution, in some ways, makes a mockery of God's sovereignty, preferring a hodge-podge of syncretism of the world's religions.