Today Craig and LaDonna Smith complete their study on the words of Jesus Christ to the church in Pergamos. This church had both affirmation of things they were doing well and words of correction over things that they weren't doing well. Something that can easily be said of most churches around the world today! And it's all based upon the authority and clarity of the Word of God. This podcast is first and foremost, a promoter of biblical truth, and secondarily, those truths are supported by comment that Craig and LaDonna Smith offer from their nearly fifty-years of service to Christ and His church. The key word to Pergamos from the mouth of the Lord? Repent! But in saying that, the Lord reminds Pergamos that He understands the great challenges they face because they were in a community that was the hotbed of many pagan religions and demonic practices. It's hard sometimes to live a faithful life in that kind of community. The Lord understands, is compassionate to His people, but yet holds their spiritual feet to the fire when He calls them to repent. On the positive side, He reminds them that He offers His own what He calls, Hidden Manna, which is all about the infusion into the lives of His people of His divine power, His timeless doctrinal truths, and all that is the believer's inheritance which can be enjoyed today. That manna is also tied to His body shed on the cross for our sins, which we are called to remember on a regular basis until He comes again. That is done through the regular observance at the table of the Lord as we who are part of His church celebrates communion with other believers. Craig also explains the mystery of the white stone with a new name on it as the context of the culture of that day is clarified and presented in a way that helps us all understand what the meaning of this white stone is. All important context for believers today to understand what the Lord is saying to these seven churches along the well traveled roads of Asia Minor, as the Smiths continue their study in eschatology on Indigenous Faith. Their next stop on this tour is the city of Thyatira. We'll visit there soon on an upcoming episode of Indigenous Faith! See you then!

In this, the second part of the Smith's review of Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor, they cover the admonitions of the Lord to the church in Pergamos. It was a city given over to a multitude of pagan religions, with shrines built all over the 1,000 foot high hill the city was built around. The inevitable result was many chose to bring their old pagan faith and rituals into their new found faith in Christ, thus resulting in blatant paganism, which, as the Lord stated to them, Nevertheless I have somethings against you...The Lord will never be supportive of that kind of faith and practice for His followers. In fact, the Smiths remind us all of the words Joshua of old told the Israelites when they were trying to do the same...He said, Choose you this day whom you will serve! And then he listed the three options that are still the options for us today. First, choose the gods of our ancestors (old tribal religion and spirituality), second, the gods in the land we are living in (modern paganism of modern America), including Old Testament Molech and Chemosh worship (modern day abortion practices), and even following the god of drunkenness, which was named Bacchus. Remember, God will not share His glory with anyone else, and especially, the gods of the many pagan religions established by nations around the world. This church, amidst that challenge, also had its heroes, who stood up to paganism and boldly worshipped Christ and Christ alone. It's a church that reminds the Smiths of many churches today around the world. On thing is certain, It is only the Lord, Himself, who will righteously and rightly sort out the good from the bad, all because of what He held in His mouth - the Word of God! That's the standard all of us will be evaluated by on Judgement Day. The Smiths hope and trust you are ready to meet the Judge of all the earth, who, as Genesis says, will do right! The time is now to get right with God, repent of sin, and turn your life over to Him!

Today, the Smiths begin their study in the third church on Paul's Asia Minor church planting efforts. This time it's the city of Pergamos. The Smiths follow the similar pattern of walking through the Scripture passages that speak of this periarticular church. Pergamos was one of the key cities in the region, and was considered the center of a number of pagan religions. Its 1,000 foot high hill the city was built on and around was home to many pagan houses of worship. Having so many religious options available, the inevitable outcome for some was to syncretize their Christian faith and practice with that of these other religions. The Lord was gracious to them in understanding when He said, "I know where you live..." meaning while challenging them to stay true to their Christian faith and not compromise, He also was willing to forgive and empower His people through the timeless truths of God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Smiths have an interesting segment in this episode on the demonic power of one pagan god, Bacchus, who was known as the god of drunkenness. You won't want to miss the Smiths coverage of the impact this false god has today, even in both modern American culture and our tribal cultures as well. It's an interesting study into an interesting church in an interesting community. Be sure to stay with the Smiths through the whole series on Christ's words to the church in Pergamos. Right here on Indigenous Faith.

As the Smiths finish their study on Christ's words to the church in Smyrna, they continue their review of the poverty Jesus said was evident in this church. In human terms, they were poor, yet, Jesus said, in Him, they were rich beyond imagination! And that truth is for us as well in today's culture. We are blessed beyond measure. Craig continues his reminder from Christ's birth how He became poor for us so we could become rich in Him. From there, the Smiths review how a faithful God has blessed them all throughout their married life and ministry, even though their major life-threatening auto accident changed their ability to "bring in the income" to support their new work. The reason for God's faithfulness was, even when they had very little income, they were faithful to tithe to their local church and support even beyond that basic giving, other ministries that needed support. You'll be encouraged by the stories of God's faithfulness that both LaDonna and Craig share. From there, the Smith's close out this series by sharing from their understanding of God in the suffering of His people. It's a powerful conclusion to their series on this one church, Smyrna, that was included in the whole counsel of God through His Holy Word! Be sure to join us next week as they start another series on the next church in the lineup in their in-depth study on end times and the Book of Revelation. Thanks again for joining the Smiths in this extended journey in the Word of God!

As we launch into today's episode of Indigenous Faith, Craig continues to share the remarkable experience he had in 2009 when he died in an emergency room in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But he didn't stay dead, instead, the doctors pushed blood and fluids back into him and got his heart started again. As amazing as that medical intervention was, there was a much greater intervention, and that was Craig's experience as he passed through death's door only to return by the miraculous hand of Almighty God! And that experience alone has dramatically affected his life since then. Where was Jesus at the point of death? Craig unpackages that important reality that, for him, helped faith overcome fear in the most horrific part of his traumatic experience in the Miracle at Mile Marker 313. From there, the Smiths continue through the text they are teaching from and address what Revelation 2:9 spoke about pertaining to the false Jews who were Jews by name only, yet were more aligned with Satan's side than God's. And the church in Smyrna had to deal with that reality. From there, Craig begins to unpackage what the Scriptures said about Smyrna, that while they were in poverty, yet at the same time they were incredibly prosperous. The actual word Jesus used was they were rich! In fact, richer than many kings and powerful leaders who had wealth untold. And this is where this episode makes an unexpected turn as Craig presents a very interesting way he defines the false teaching of the health and wealth prosperity gospel found in modern Christianity, and as seen on many Christian television programs. He actually goes as far as to call those who preach this false gospel, Christianity's Medicine Men and Medicine Women! What does he mean by that!? You'll just have to stay tuned for this very unique and stunning episode of Indigenous Faith! Get ready for some amazing moments ahead with Craig and LaDonna Smith and their Indigenous Faith teaching!

In today's episode, Craig and LaDonna continue unpacking Christ's words to the church in Smyrna. The passage under consideration is Revelation 2:8-11. Today's focus is from Christ's admonition to them about the persecutions they are and were to suffer for His name's sake. The Smiths shared in last week's episode about the severe suffering that had taken place in the region under ten powerful leaders of the Roman Empire and the great faith that believers had while facing persecutions that often led to violent and painful deaths. Today, the Smith's contrast the heroic efforts the churches had in the face of great tyranny and suffering with the cowardly way many of these ten Roman emperor's lives ended. What a sharp contrast it was. Using some great information from Dr. David Jeremiah's teaching and preaching on the events of Revelation 2, the Smith's take the rest of today's episode to share some of the ways, in their own personal journeys through pain and suffering, they were able to see faith trump fear, time and time again. Suffering has always been, is now, and will be until Jesus comes again, part of the life of His Church and His children. The question the Smiths leave us all is, are we willing, ready and enabled to face suffering when it comes our way? Be encouraged, dear friends, because Christ's indwelling power can and will see us through every trial that may come until we see Him face to face! What a great hope Revelation gives the believer! Live in it and rejoice that we are more than conquerers through Him that loved us, and loves us still!

Today, Craig and LaDonna Smith return to their teaching series on Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor. Their focus today, and in in a few more episodes to come, is the church in Smyrna, found in Revelation 2:8-11. Smyrna is only one of two churches of the seven that received commendation from Christ, and no condemnation from Him. The Smiths walk us all through the highlights of this church, including the fact that they were a persecuted church, which brought praise from the Lord as to how they persevered under pressure. He also noted of them that they were not, in the eyes of the world, wealthy people or a wealthy church. He said "I know your poverty - yet you are rich! What did Jesus mean by that? Well, the Smiths help unpackage what Jesus said, and support it with other biblical passages that share the same sentiment. It's a great launch into the words of Christ to this second of the seven churches included in the Book of Revelation. We at TRM hope you will stay with the Smiths all the way through their important study on eschatology (end times), while focusing on the Book of Revelation as the launching point into all of the Scriptures and it's prophetic teaching to the world. If you are joining us recently, you might want to go back to the very first episode they launched on prophecy. To do so you'd have to go all the way back to the September 17, 2025 episode to begin this journey. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to catch up, as this series is a long way from completion. But isn't it interesting stuff? See you next week, dear friend! And, stay tuned!

In this final episode in the Smith's journey back to why they believe, teach, and preach from the literal interpretation of Scripture. This has incredible importance to how they present this extended prophecy series on the Coming of the Lord. It is only when one is committed to the literal interpretation of the Scriptures that you come to an understanding that the Second Coming of Christ begins with a literal rapture (catching away) of the church into the clouds to meet the Lord and all those who have died in Christ and be taken back into heaven. Then a seven year Great Tribulation period follows, where the wrath and judgement of God is poured out on disobedient Israel and all other nations, culminating with Christ's return to earth in His Second Coming, with all the saints assembled in heaven with Him as He fights the final Battle o Armageddon with Satan and all of mankind. The a thousand year time of peace and safety on earth, known as the Millennial Reign of Christ, followed by one small skirmish with Satan, who has been released by God for a brief time, which results in his final banishment to the Lake of Fire, followed by the Great White Throne Judgement of all the unbelievers throughout history and their final judgement and banishment to the same destination Satan was sent to, and then a new eternal state which will last for all eternity, free from the power and presence of evil. Paradise for sure! It's crucial, in Craig and LaDonna Smith's hearts, to make sure newer listeners understand the teaching of the Smiths, which is in alignment with a literal interpretation of the Scriptures. Once completed with this session, the Smiths return to Revelation 2 and pick up with Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor, starting with the second church, found in Smyrna. Much more to come, dear friends, in this extended study in the Book of Revelation and all other supporting passages in both the Old and New Testaments. What a journey we all are on. Craig and LaDonna appreciate your joining them in this incredible road map on things to come! All here on the Indigenous Faith broadcast!