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The Church of Smyrna - Preached by John Hagee, Cornerstone Church - Sermon Notes By AJSktrgl

Overview from the previous teachings:
- The purpose of the coming Great Tribulation is to judge every man and woman who rejects Jesus as their savior.
- There will be a coming rapture of the Church; Jesus shows up in a cloud (the world does not see HIM) to snatch the believers.
- After the rapture, there is an interval in Heaven of 30 minutes of silence as God shows Heaven the future of the earth.
- After the Great Tribulation, there will be 1000 years of peace ruled with a rod of iron under Christ Jesus; Jesus will not consult with the ACLU or the supreme court on His decisions
- There is also a coming Great White Throne of Judgment; this is where the non-believers will come to get judged to forever be in the lake of fire
- Ultimately, everyone will give account to everything they have done here while on Earth.

Revelation 2:8-11 (New King James Version)

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’[www.biblegateway.com]

7 times, God says to the Churches (of Ephesus, Smyrna , Pergamum, Thyatira , Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) "I know your works". When God says something seven times, He really wants you to know what He's saying.

The Bible says by your words you will be justified or condemned.

The eye of the Lord is upon those who fear them. God knows your devotion…God knows your lack of devotion…prayer life or lack of prayer life, etc.

God also knows your bitterness/resentment that affects your family. God knows more about you than you know about yourself.

The Judgment Seat of Christ is where God calls you by name and God says let me see your works. We, as believers, must all appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Not the Great White Throne of Judgment). God will try your works by fire. If your works were self glorifying it will burn up in an instant; if used to glorify God, it will be like precious metals and fine gold.

The day is going to come when you are going to give all you have to God and for some of you, it won't be much…If you see someone wearing something like the gold around the Folgers coffee can, you know they didn't do much and this will be worn by them forever.

All who live Godly in the Lord Jesus Christ (Under the perfect will of Christ) will suffer persecution, criticism, while here on earth…The Christians through the first century suffered tremendously for their faith.

We are at war for the soul of this nation in a Culture War. We are here to engage the enemy and victory is obtained through Christ our Lord.

Three reasons why suffering occurs:

Some people have a talent for making poor choices. Choices have consequences. Many do not like to receive correction and Proverbs 12:1 applies to these individuals:
Proverbs 12:1 (New King James Version)

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.[www.biblegateway.com]

Bad things happen to good people because of their ignorance. It is the knowing of the truth that will set you free.

People suffer because of the long range of God's plan. God has a long range plan for everyone's life. What do you do when you don't understand why God is doing what He is doing? What you need to do is acknowledge God in all your ways and he will set your paths straight. It is your responsibility to trust in the Lord and to acknowledge Him in all of your ways. In God's own time, you will see the answer and God will never fail you.

Revelation 2:9 (New King James Version)

9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.[www.biblegateway.com]

God teaches prosperity in the scriptures, but does not teach that if you are rich then you are in God's perfect will…otherwise Donald Trump would be considered godly.

You can be in poverty but still be in the perfect will of God. There are people who live in financial poverty (Such as the Church of Smyrna) but they are rich not because their works lead to a big heavenly bank account that not even the IRS can touch.
The only permanent investment is the investment you make towards Heaven.
God says 'fear not' to those who suffer for Christ. When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, death cannot destroy you; because Christ has destroyed it.

You are not called to be successful; you are called to be faithful: Are you faithful to the work that God has given you? When you have to stand in front of God to give account of your works, what are you going to say?
Luke 4:18 (New King James Version)

18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[a]
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;[www.biblegateway.com]

There is no power to prevail against darkness without the anointing from the Lord

Are you suffering in deep sorrow? Have you suffered through a bitter divorce? Are you hurting in any element of life? God has the power to heal your sorrows through the anointing power of joy/gladness.