Sunday Bible School
September 15, 2024
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XVII
September 15, 2024
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XVII
Summary of the presidents message
The Sunday Bible School on September 15, 2024 was held live, directly from the Communications Center of the Maranatha Christian Church, Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, with the participation of pastors Gilson Sousa, Amadeu Loureiro and Josias Junior.
Message from pastor Gilson Souza:
We greet all the brethren with the peace of the Lord Jesus! We are starting the Sunday
Bible School. The topic to be discussed is found in the book of Revelation: the message of the Holy Spirit reverberates in the midst of the Faithful Church, in relation to the prophetic markers that are fulfilled in our days, in praparation for the rapture.
Pastor Gilson Sousa presented the answers given by various brethren to the questions asked, as well as various experiences and testimonies regarding the Sunday Bible School.
Special participation of Pastor Amadeu Loureiro:
I greet everyone with the pea-
ce of the Lord. Let’s answer the questions posed.
Question
Reading Revelation, chapter 2, verses 8 to 11, what is the emphasis of the operation of the Spirit of the Lord in the Church of Smyrna? Quote the verse.
Answer: The Spirit of Wisdom, Verse 8. The church that lived the doctrine choosing eternal life to the detriment of earthly life. It preached that Jesus was alive by giving one’s own life for Christ. It died for the doctrine.
“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 wisdom of the church of Smyrna was in exchanging earthly life for eternal life. [Comment by Pastor Júlio]
Question
When reading Revelation, chapter 2, verses 8 to 11, where are the other operations of the Spirit of the Lord in the church of Smyrna? (Quote the verses).
a. The Spirit of the Lord?
Answer: The first and the last. Jesus, the Lord of the church
Pr. Gilson Sousa conducting the Sunday Bible School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XVII
throughout its existence. Verse 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:’”
Revelation 2:8
I would like to draw attention to the beauty of the Bible School. The relationship between the seven letters and the seven parables is extraordinary. The letter of Smyrna is related to the parable of the wheat and the tares. In the time of Smyrna, the church was living the doctrine. And the adversary tried to oppose this. This opposition generated a faith that was seen by all. It was the testimony of the church.
At that time, there was no radio or TV. They sang at night, preparing to go to the arena, where they would be killed. But even in the face of all this, they arrived at the arena singing.
On a visit to the arena of Verona, the Lord granted a gift to a brother who was present. The Lord took them to an underground location. The angel showed the place where the brothers from the time of Smyrna waited, before entering the arena. And the angel said to them: “They were not alone. I was present”.
At the moment they were thrown into the arenas, some pagans threw themselves to die, saying that they were also Christians. It was the ground wheat, the great struggle that came for the time of Smyrna. [Comment by Pastor Amadeu]
b. The Spirit of Wisdom
Answer: The church discerned about those who imposed the doctrines of the Old Testament on the brothers - Verse 9.
“...and
I know the blasphemy of those who say they
are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” Revelation 2:9
The church of Smyrna suffered two great persecutions, two attacks, both external and internal. Externally it was paganism. Internally it was the blasphemy of those who claimed to be Jews, but were not. The church needed to fight against those who wanted to impose the customs of the Old Testament. The parable of the wheat and the tares is interesting because, for those who look from afar, wheat and tares are very similar.
Therefore, the spirit of wisdom was necessary to operate in the life of the church, with the aim of separating what was and what was not of the Lord. [Comment by Pastor Douglas] c. The Spirit of Counsel?
Answer: Do not fear suffering and be faithful until death. Verses 10 and 11.
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.”
“...Be faithful until death...” Revelation 2:10
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:11
In the original, the expression
Pr. Amadeu Loureiro leading the summary of the Sunday Bible School
The Preparation of the Church for the Rapture - Revelation - Part XVII
“do not fear”, in Greek, is linked to “fear nothing”, “be afraid of nothing”. It was the sense of fearing nothing, in the face of everything that would arise. The Lord had already sent comfort, the resource. Besides not fearing, they glorified the Lord. Be faithful until death means that they would die for the Word, for the Lord. And the Lord said: “remain faithful, for you will receive a crown”. There was an eternal crown set apart for them. [Comment by Pastor Jerônimo]
d. The Spirit of Might?
Answer: Tribulation, poverty and death - overcoming death - Verses 9 and 11.
“...and tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)...” Revelation 2:9
“...He who overcomes...” Revelation 2:11
What was the expectation of the church of Smyrna for this life? The Roman empire dominated cruelly. What was their wealth? They had nothing. But they were rich because they had a different inheritance. This made them happy. Those who saw all that understood that there was a mystery about that people. The church had no perspective, in the material sense. But they were enriched because there was an abundant life. What was the truth of those who were around? It was a relative truth. But those who were in the arena lived the absolute truth. [Comment by Pastor Amadeu]
e. The Spirit of Knowledge (Revelation)?
Answer: I know your works... you will have tribulation ten days. Verses 9 and 10.
“I know your works...” Revelation 2:9
“Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison [...] and you will have tribulation ten days.” Revelation 2:10
Regarding the spirit of knowledge or revelation, it was notorious how the church had knowledge of the Lord’s will for their lives. They knew they were living a prophetic life. The Lord had already revealed His plan for that church: “you will have tribulation ten days”. All periods of persecution did not come by chance. But they had the consolation of knowing that the Lord would be with them.
The churches are represented by lampstands. The Lord showed that His revelation, His light, would be present in the life of the church, particularly in the time of Smyrna. [Comment by Pastor Alexandre]
f. The Spirit of Fear?
Answer: The church did not need to fear anything, because the Lord was with it. Verse 10. “Do not fear...” Revelation 2:10
The Word of God shows us that the Spirit of fear was operating in the church of Smyrna. That church truly feared the Lord.
This church, instead of fearing death and persecutions, only feared losing communion with the Lord, losing the crown of life that was prepared. This is what should remain in our hearts: the fear of not displeasing the Lord in our lives. [Comment by Pastor Alexandre].
May the Lord bless us.
Pr. Gedelti Gueiros President of the Maranata Christian Church
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