Transcript

Smyrna-The Persecuted Church

Revelation 2:8-11
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Pastor Randy Smith

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Revelation 1 told us that the lampstands mentioned are the churches. The same chapter says Jesus walks among the lampstands. The church belongs to Jesus Christ. He is intimately concerned with what happens in His church. Then in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus provides a report card to each of the seven churches, lampstands located in ancient Asia Minor (modern day Turkey).

As we examine each of the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the framework of these reports to each church from Jesus is worth noting. Each of them carries a consistent structure that is customized for each individual church. First the individual church is addressed. Then Jesus declares Himself with a description of Himself found in the preamble from chapter 1. Then there are often words of commendation. Then there are often words of condemnation. And finally there is a promise, again based on another description of Jesus. Interestingly, both the description of Jesus at the beginning and the promise from Jesus at the end are unique for each church and are related to the particular situation the specific church is experiencing.

Let's look at the church in Ephesus, our study from last week, by way of example. In verse 1 of chapter 2, Jesus declares Himself as "the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands." This description was stated earlier in 1:12, 16 and 20. The seven stars are the specific angels each overseeing the seven churches. And the lampstands are the seven churches themselves.

Why was that important for Ephesus to hear? Because, you remember, they "left [their] first love." They lost their passion for Christ. They were doing a lot of good church stuff, but they were doing it without the Savior in the center of their works. This church needed to hear that Christ, center among the lampstands, not only knew their deficiency, but also must be seen as central by the church in the life of the church. All their activities must originate from and revolve around a love for Christ.

Then at the end, verse 7, Jesus promises, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God."

Why was that important for Ephesus to hear? Because Jesus just threatened them in verse 5 that unless they repent He will remove their lampstand out of its place. Churches that cease to preeminently love Jesus cannot be considered a church. And Christians that fail to preeminently love Jesus can hardly call themselves Christians.

But those individuals in Ephesus who repent, who "overcome," can have hope. They will be among those in heaven, those who "eat of the tree of life" (verse 7). It was sin that banned the original couple from the original tree of life in the Garden (Gen. 3:24), but for those forgiven in Christ, the curse is reversed, the tree of life which is seen in heaven (Rev. 22:2) is again accessible.

Today we'll examine the second church in verses 8-11 of chapter 2. The church is located in Smyrna. If Ephesus was the loveless church, I am calling the church in Smyrna the persecuted church. And in the same way Jesus customized His comments to the church in Ephesus, He will do the same to the church in Smyrna based upon their particular situation.

1. THE CITY

Let's first begin with a look at the city. In verse 8 we see the church is located in Smyrna. I'll keep the focus on the details that will better help us understand our account in Revelation.

Smyrna was located about 40 miles north of Ephesus in ancient Asia Minor. It was situated on the Aegean Sea which not only contributed to its beauty, but also its commerce. Smyrna competed with Ephesus and Pergamum for the title, "First City of Asia." The city had two harbors, well-paved roads, and was steeped in its pagan religion. At first it was primarily the Greek gods. Later Smyrna affiliated with Rome. Starting about 200 years before Revelation was written, Rome was deified in the cult to the goddess Roma. Smyrna became very local to Rome politically and spiritually.

There was a considerably large Jewish population in Smyrna. A Christian church came on the scene soon after the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Most likely it came out of the Jewish synagogues and perhaps from the work of the Apostle Paul when he served for three years in nearby Ephesus (Ac. 20:31). The most famous early leader of the Smyrna church was a man named Polycarp, one generation removed from and instructed (according to Irenaeus) by the Apostles. We'll come back to him. The only mention of the church in Smyrna in the Bible is found here in Revelation 2.

2. THE CHRIST

Still in verse 8, we see Jesus introduce Himself (our second point). Again, the structure I mentioned earlier is followed. Jesus takes a description of Himself from chapter 1 that best suits the current situation the church was facing. In this case, Jesus identifies Himself as "The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life" (cf. Rev. 1:18).

So why is that description significant for those in Smyrna? Let's remember this was the "persecuted church." Let's remember it wasn't safe to witness for Jesus. Let remember that the Greek word for witness is "martus" or "martureo." Let's remember that is where we get our English word, "martyr." Let's remember that many Christians were killed because of their witness for Jesus. Smyrna would be no exception.

Death is the greatest enemy we fear, but in this description of Himself, Jesus was telling the persecuted church to take courage. He died for His faith. And He overcame death and now is alive forevermore. Likewise because of their love for and union with Him, even if they die because of their witness, they will live with Him forevermore. As He'll say in verse 11, if they overcome, they "will not be hurt by the second death."

Two weeks ago we saw John fall down in fear before Jesus in 1:17. Jesus placed his right hand on John and reassured him saying, "Do not be afraid" (Rev. 1:17). It's only when we fear God vertically that we have no need to fear others horizontally. A reverential fear of God is a perfect love that casts out all other fears (1 Jn. 4:18). Likewise, as it is spoken of here with Smyrna, true Christians do not fear physical death (our first death). Reason being, our relationship to Jesus protects us from spiritual death (a second death). Yet when we live for this life only, death is something to be feared because it's the end of everything. And most likely, such people in fearing their first death will have to experience a more terrifying reality of their second death.

3. THE COMMENDATION

Let's move to the third point, "The Commendation." Of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only two that receive only commendations without any condemnations. Smyrna was a good church. The lampstand was burning brightly. And their faithful light for Jesus in their dark culture obviously led to their persecution. Yet the One who walks among the lampstands takes notice.

Look at verse 9. Jesus says, "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." So we have three things: tribulation, poverty and blasphemy by the Jews. Let me try to put all of these interconnected points in context.

The Apostles and first followers of Christ all came out of Judaism. Then the early church in the Gentile regions grew out of the synagogues. Rome tolerated the Jews in their lands. They gave them special exemptions on the required emperor worship. For a while, Christians rode under the banner of this protection as Rome considered them both alike. However the time came, especially after Nero's persecution of the Christians, when the Jews declared that the church was not a Jewish sect. If you look at the book of Acts, much of the persecution on the church originally came not from the Gentiles, but from the Jews. Why? Several reasons: They were losing converts to the church. They claimed the Christians distorted the law. They believe the Christians were making the way of salvation too easy. And they believed Christians were worshipping a crucified criminal someone accursed by God (Gal. 3:13) as the divine Messiah.

It is important to note at the end of verse 9 that Jesus refers to these Jews with some rather strong language. He calls them "a synagogue of Satan." Many were acting like Satan in accusing the Christians (Rev. 12:10), which proved they were no better than the Roman cult religion. Regardless of what might appear impressive, anyone who rejects God's opportunity for forgiveness through the only One who bore our sins to bring us redemption is part of a false religion inspired by the prince of darkness to keep people in darkness and out of the light in the Messiah (2 Cor. 4:4).

As you can see in verse 9, Jesus says, "[They] say they are Jews and are not." Perhaps they are Jews ethnically and nationally, but the true Jew is a Jew inwardly. Romans 2:29, "But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God." Or as Paul said in Philippians 3:3, "For we [Christians] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus."

So the Smyrna church was getting heat from the Jewish community and then the church was getting heat from the Gentile community. They were now on their own. Not only was Rome suspicious of new religions, but Rome also required the Christians to worship Caesar as lord. And this worship permeated nearly every aspect of life in their city. When one failed to acknowledge the imperial cult he or she lost social standing, was excluded from their trade guild, was viewed as disloyal and unpatriotic and was often imprisoned, exiled or murdered. The Christians recognized only Jesus as Lord. And these Christians in Smyrna were paying for it dearly.

Now you can see why verse 2 that Jesus speaks of their tribulation and specifically their "poverty." No doubt it wasn't easy financially for the church in Smyrna in their desire to be faithful to Jesus. No governmental aid. Expelled from the trade guilds. Difficulty in selling and purchasing. Possible fines and property confiscation. Their loyalty to Jesus over the their loyalty to the government cost them literally and cost them deeply.

But what's interesting in verse 9 is that once Jesus affirms their poverty. He says in a parenthetical thought, "but you are rich." They might have been materially poor, but our Lord wanted to encourage them that they were spiritually rich. They might not have had the material things, but they had the things that really mattered. What a contrast to the church in Laodicea mentioned in chapter 3. To them Jesus said, "Because you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,' and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked" (Rev. 3:17).

4. THE COMMAND

So after stating their situation plainly, Jesus (as we move to the fourth point) gives a command. Verse 10, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer." The verse goes on to say, "Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison…and you will have tribulation for ten days."

Ten days is most likely not to be taken literally. It's probably just a figurative expressing for a full amount of time. Things were bad. The tribulation would continue whereby "some" of them would be imprisoned for their faith

The tribulation will continue, but the command given in verse 10 is that they not fear what they are about to suffer. Why is that? Because of everything Jesus said to this church so far! We can trust Him. Not only is He omniscient knowing the future, but He is also omnipotent holding the future securely in His hands as (verse 8) "the first and the last".

The devil, using sinful people, will persecute them. As the verse says, he will "cast some of you in prison." However, the devil is a defeated foe and the devil is God's devil only allowed to do what God sovereignly permits. And why would God permit the devil to do this to His people? Verse 10 tells us, "So that you will be tested."

Persecution by the devil, through evil men, allowed by God is ordained to strengthen the church whereby Christ's lampstand will burn brightly as a holy witness. It always separates the true and false believers. It purges away the chaff from the wheat. It strengthens and refines the true children of God. We might not like it that way, but this is the love of Christ. This is the love of the One who walks amongst the lampstands and stands in the center of the lampstands. Jesus loves the church. Therefore, hang in there, keep persevering, still in verse 10, "Be faithful until death."

To illustrate the persecution that existed in Smyrna consider the martyrdom of Polycarp, the church leader that I mentioned earlier. Some material exists that lets us know he was killed in about 155 or 156. In a letter addressed by the church at Smyrna to the churches in the Christian world, it is related that Jews joined with heathen in claiming that Polycarp should be cast to the lions or burned alive. It was the time of the public games. The city was crowded and the crowds were excited. Suddenly the shout went up, "Away with the atheists [Christians], let Polycarp be searched for."

No doubt Polycarp could have escaped but earlier said to the disciples, "I must be burned alive." His whereabouts were betrayed to the persecutors by a little slave girl who collapsed under torture and they came to arrest him. Not even the soldier captain wished to see Polycarp die. On the brief journey to the city he pled with the old man, "What harm is it to say Caesar is lord and to sacrifice and save your life?" But Polycarp was adamant that for him only Jesus Christ was Lord.

He entered the arena. The pro-consul gave him the choice of cursing the name of Christ and making sacrifice to Caesar or death. "Eighty and six years have I served Him," said Polycarp, "and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" The pro-consul threatened him with burning. Polycarp replied, "You threaten me with the fire that burns for a time and is quickly quenched, for you do not know the fire which awaits the wicked in the judgment to come and in everlasting punishment. Why are you waiting? Come do what you will." And he remained unmovable. So the crowds came flocking with their sticks from the workshops, from the baths and the Jews, even although they were breaking the Sabbath law by carrying such burdens, were foremost in the clamor and bringing wood for the fire. They were going to bind him to the stake. "Leave me as I am," he said, "for He who gives me power to endure the fire will grant me to remain in the flames unmoved, even without the security you will give by binding." So they left him loosely in the flames and there he died for Christ (adapted from an Internet account - William Barclay).

Fulfillment of Jesus' words to Smyrna - "faithful until death" (Rev. 2:10).

5. THE COUNSEL

And the counsel (our final point) is the promise given by our Lord. If the church is faithful to Him and it costs them their lives in the process, they can have great hope because they are in union with the One who Himself laid His life down and (verse 8) "has come to life." They too will be rewarded with the blessedness of life with Him.

In verse 10 Jesus says, "And I will give you the crown of life." It's probably best not to think of that as a literal crown, but rather the crown that is life. Jesus who is the life (Jn. 14:6) gives us life, eternal life with Him, our crown as we participate with Him in His heavenly and victorious rule.

Again, we see the question continually posed to the church. Do you want the life the world gives or do you want the life God gives? Do you want to identify with the devil and face the wrath of God or do you want to identify with God and face the wrath of the devil? You can't have it both ways. We are all forced to make a decision and nothing forces our hand more than God's testing oftentimes done through persecution.

Therefore, verse 11, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Will you listen? Do you have spiritual ears to hear and understand? Baring the return of Christ, we will all face death (the first death) at some point in time. However, verse 11, if we overcome, if we show our faith by our faithfulness, verse 11, "[We] will not be hurt by the second death." The devil can't get you on that one. And according to Jesus the second death, the spiritual death, the eternal death, the separation from God in lake of fire - hell death, is the one we are to fear the most (Mt. 10:28). Those without Christ die twice. And let's remember, this warning of hell in Revelation 2 was given to the church.

So I suppose the question for all of us based on his text is this - how faithful are you to Jesus Christ? We see extreme acts of faithfulness in this message. As it is happening all over the world as we speak, will any of us be called to lay our lives down for Christ? Will radical Islam take over our country? Will similar Emperor worship of ancient Rome in some way, shape or form make it criminal to own a Bible or associate with a church or speak against a movement? I don't know, we are moving in these directions, but what I learn from this passage is that I want to be prepared. I want to be an overcomer. I want to show my faith by being faithful.

And I know this, myself or any of you will never stand as we are called to be "faithful until death" (Rev. 2:10) if we are not faithful to Jesus with the small things right now. Our Lord has given us many commands in Scripture which when obeyed give evidence of our love and devotion to Him.

Are you just cruising through the Christian life? Are you walking the fence of devotion, split between Jesus and the world? Which way will you fall when the divine testing comes your way? Are you faithful to love Jesus Christ with your whole heart, soul and mind? Are you an overcomer? Will you remain an overcomer to the end?