Sunday Bible School
September 1, 2024
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XV
September 1, 2024
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XV
Summary of the President’s Message
The Sunday Bible School on September 1, 2024 was held live, directly from the Communications Center of the Maranatha Christian Church, Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, with the participation of pastors Gedelti Gueiros, Gilson Sousa and Josias Junior.
Word from Pastor Gilson Sousa:
We greet all our brethren with the peace of the Lord Jesus! We are starting Sunday Bible School. The subject to be pre-
sented is the book of Revelation: the message of the Holy Spirit resonates in the midst of the Faithful Church, in relation to the prophetic markers that are being fulfilled in our day, in the preparation of the Church for the rapture.
Pastor Gilson Sousa presented the answers given by various brethren to the questions posed, as well as various experiences and testimonies relating to the Sunday Bible School.
Word from Pastor Gedelti Gueiros:
I greet you all with the peace of the Lord. We are receiving
the responses you sent. All of this is important for strengthening the church. Our concern is that the brethren read, follow and understand the issues being brought. In the book of Revelation, the spirit of prophecy must operate in order to understand the book. Human reason is unable to provide a prophetic sequence for the believer’s journey. But revelation is different because it accompanies what is prophetic. Therefore, if there is no revelation, it is not possible to reach what is prophetic.
The world has forgotten the Gospel. But we haven’t forgotten. The Gospel is mystery. If there is no mystery, it’s just a religion. The world won’t hear the trumpet sound. God’s signs and prophetic warnings are happening, but many are not discerning the moment we are living in. And it will be at the sound of the trumpet that the church will be raptured. We need to understand the moment we are living in, otherwise we will be deceived. We are facing signs that show the proximity of the rapture. That’s why Sunday Bible School is so important. The Sunday Bible
Pr. Gilson Sousa conducting the Sunday Bible School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XV
School unites the church, in fellowship with the Lord, to learn the Word and be strengthened spiritually.
We are facing a religious world that is at war. Many say that “God couldn’t have let this happen”. But no one is taking precautions against the evil that is out there.
Question
In the book of Revelation, chapter 2, verses 8 to 11, we see the letter written to the Church of Smyrna. Reading verse 8, identify who the expressions are referring to: “...the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life”
Answer: To the Lord Jesus.
“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:”
Revelation 2:8
The answer was given via video.
Question
Reading Revelation, chapter 2, verse 9, compare the “works” of the Church of Smyrna with those of the Church of Ephesus, described in Revelation, chapter 2, verse 2.
Answer: - The “works” of Ephesus: “your works,, your labor; your patience.” - The “works” of Smyrna: “tribulation, poverty and death.”
“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.” Revelation 2:9
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them
liars;” Revelation 2:2
The time of the first church refers to the letter to the church in Ephesus. The parable of the sower is related to the time of Ephesus. There is an action of the seven Spirits of God in all the letters. At the time of Ephesus, there was a need for an operation of the Spirit of the Lord to forge a new mentality. From that moment on, the church would be led. From Ephesus onwards, God’s work would not come through the senses (smell, touch, hearing, sight and taste) but through revelation.
At the time of Smyrna, the ex-
pression “first and last” is related to the purpose of the letter. The Lord was showing his presence in Ephesus and that he would also be present in Smyrna. The church in Smyrna was the church of suffering. At that time, there were not only opponents from outside, but also those from within. But the greatest struggle was the persecution of the church with all kinds of imprisonment and death. This is how the doctrine (established in Ephesus) was lived out. In order to live the doctrine, it was necessary to die. That’s why God’s servants were thrown onto crosses, into fires and into arenas. They cho-
Pr. Gedelti Gueiros leading the summary of the Sunday Bible School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XV
se to die to this life, but to rise to eternal life.
Question
Reading Revelation, chapter 2 verse 8, why is the Church of Smyrna presented as “rich”?
Answer: - Because it is rich in the blessings of God and the workings of the Holy Spirit.
“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:”
Revelation 2:8
The answer was given via video.
Question
Reading Revelation, chapter 2 verse 9, where is the opposition to the Doctrine?
Answer: - “... the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” Revelation 2:9
“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.” Revelation 2:9
We see in the first three letters the first periods experienced by the church. In the first period (Ephesus) there was opposi-
tion to the Word (Father), in the second period (Smyrna) it was death (opposition to the body - Son) and in the third period (Pergamos) it was opposition to faith (Holy Spirit).
Smyrna experienced tribulation, poverty and death. The life of the church was the doctrine acquired from Ephesus. She died for the doctrine.
The church, at the time of Smyrna, had the actions outside (persecution, death), but inside there was a problem: “the blasphemy of those who said they are Jews and are not”. The Jews had a day of observance, a liturgy, because they were in the law. They wanted to lead astray those who accepted the Lord by imposing the requirements of the law on them. That was the great opposition.
Question
What does the word Smyrna mean?
Answer: - It means myrrh, a spice that smells when it is crushed - This speaks of suffering.
“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:”
Revelation 2:8
The word Smyrna derives from “myrrh”, a plant which, the more it is trodden on, the more it exudes its aroma. Myrrh was used for embalming, which preserved the body. Life in Smyrna was about preserving the body. The spirit of Wisdom was present in Smyrna. May the Lord bless us.
Pr. Gedelti Gueiros President of the Maranata Christian Church
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