<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/e0594e08-82da-435e-bfb7-c4469c0110aa/IMG_1438.jpeg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/e0594e08-82da-435e-bfb7-c4469c0110aa/IMG_1438.jpeg" width="40px" /> Have you ever wondered how intelligent leaders from very diverse backgrounds sit down to work together on complex problems when they are in fact so individually different having almost no common ground or precedent, coming from different ethnic or geographic backgrounds yet are able to push toward a common purpose-driven goal or mission?
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| Battle | Commentary | War on Saints | Links | Related Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle for the Land of Israel | War on Saints at Ephesus: Battle for the Dignity and Worth of the Person | ‣ | ‣ | |
| ‣ | ||||
| Battle for the Glory of Israel | War on Saints at Smyrna: Battle for service excellence in the execution of God’s revealed will | ‣ | Barley Seed | |
| Battle for the Law of Israel | War on Saints at Pergamum: Battle for universal core values that are fundamental to life, learning and futures. | ‣ | ‣ | ‣ |
| Battle for Spiritual Israel | War on Saints at Thyatira: Battle for the importance of human relationships | ‣ | ‣ | |
| ‣ | ‣ | |||
| Battle for the House of Israel | War on Saints at Sardis: Battle for integrity against a mind darkened by unbelief. | ‣ | ‣ | |
| Battle for the Commonwealth of Israel | War on Saints at Philadelphia: Battle for competence in a confused world unable to know what next steps should be taken. | ‣ | ‣ | ‣ |
| Battle for the Tribes of Israel | War on Saints at Laodicea: Battle for social ethics in a post-modern context. | ‣ | ‣ | ‣ |
<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/6dd169a1-a539-4f24-97c9-528bda35e189/IMG_5636.jpeg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/6dd169a1-a539-4f24-97c9-528bda35e189/IMG_5636.jpeg" width="40px" />
The Barley seed symbolizes sustenance and survival, representing the artisanal execution of God's will. Biblical figures like Eliezer, Ruth, and Gideon are compared to Barley seeds, fulfilling God's plan through their unique actions and faith. The Church at Smyrna's perseverance under persecution is likened to grain being crushed to produce bread, illustrating the transformative power of discipleship.
Smyrna, a persecuted church, was facing intense poverty and affliction, as described in Revelation 2:9: "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)." Despite their material poverty, they possessed spiritual wealth beyond measure. Jesus praised their faithfulness, saying "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev 2:10).
Their situation mirrors James 2:5, "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?" The lesson for us is profound - true 'wealth' lies in self-sacrifice, service, and the pursuit of justice and righteousness. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-20, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
The church at Smyrna embodied 2 Corinthians 6:10: "As poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything." Their example challenges us to redefine success and prosperity according to God's terms, reminding us that "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Through their steadfast faith amid persecution, they demonstrated that genuine wealth lies not in material abundance but in spiritual faithfulness.
graph TD
B[Barley, glory of Israel] -->|Rev 2:8 - Smyrna| Smyrna
B -->|Scientific Name| HordeumVulgare[Hordeum vulgare]
Scientific name: Hordeum vulgare.
The Barley and the Glory of Israel
Smyrna, the second of seven communities mentioned in Rev 2-3 whose guardian angel Telios (also known as Gabriel) stood against the spirit and man of lawlessness embodying the deaconic hand gift in the NT ecclesia. As written in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8: "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth."The church represented the deaconic genius of artisanal excellence in executing God's will, reflecting Acts 6:2-3: "So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.'"This is love perfected within the City of faith, as described in 1 John 4:17-18: "By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear." The church implements with precision and declares the "Thus says the Lord" to interpret exactly which way to proceed, following Isaiah 30:21: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Case Study: Jim Elliot and the Auca Mission
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