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The Letter To Smyrna

Sermon
Revelation 2:8-11
Bill Mosley
Paradise Restored
Sermons From Revelation For Lent And Easter
About 35 miles north of Ephesus is Smyrna. It's called Ismir, Turkey, today. In the first century it was already very old, was a commercial center, and had a temple to Emperor Tiberias. This temple made the city an important showcase for the state religion. Loyalty tests would be frequent and well publicized. We know of some very public examples of Christian executions at Smyrna. Probably the best documented of the ancient world was the death of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, in 156 A.D. Polycarp was burned at the stake. The legend says that as a youth Polycarp was a disciple of John.
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 While the Prodigal Son was still far off, his father saw him, ran to him, put his arms around him and kissed him. In our worship today, let us turn to God so that he may run to us, put his arms around and kiss us.

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 Jesus, for the times when we run away from you,

Lord, have mercy.

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