THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA
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Historical Context
Historical Context
Explain the importance of Historical context
Another port city and the next stop up the postal route from Ephesus.
Known as the most beautiful city in Asia. Nicknamed “the crown of Asia” and “the flower of Asia” and “the city of life”.
The birth place of Homer, not Simpson but the writer of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
“Rome first” mentality.
195 bc temple to Dea Roma, the god of Rome.
23 ad temple to Caesar Augustus
25 ad temple to Caesar Tiberius
Temple to Empress Lydia
Temple to the Senate
The city loved Rome and everything Rome.
Read the passage
Read the passage again. line by the line.
Tribulation- Thlipsis- Point of the spear, front line of the advance. Point of contact where the forces of good meet the forces of evil. The pressure felt at that point.
Same word that John uses in Revelation 1:9
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Poverty- outcast of society. not allowed in the market place to buy or to sell.
They would not compromise on making the sacrifice on the alter to enter into the market place. In Fact, they wouldn’t even compromise to go back to Judaism because these Jews in Smyrna compromised and made a deal with the local government that exempted them from sacrificing on that alter.
In fact, it would seem that Jesus is reminding them of something they know, they are rich.
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
It seems that though they maybe poor, they are soo very rich in the kingdom of God.
Slander/blaspheme- Lies and public condemnation not just by the Romans but by very outspoken and zealous Jews.
Imagine the heartache that comes from those who share so many beliefs turning against you and being so opposed to you.
Jesus is making a very strong and specific statement about them. He is not just saying that He wished they come to knowledge of Him but that they are actually worshiping at the alter of Satan. That may sound extreme but in a city with temples to Dea Roma, Augustus, Tiberius, Lydia and the Senate, you may be able to see who they were worshiping with their compromise.
The extent of the Jews zealousness can be understood through the oldest extra-scriptural account of the first martyr, Polycarp.
Polycarp was a very old leader in the church in Smyrna. He was said to be a disciple of John, the writer of Revelation.
According to the account, once the word was out that they wanted to arrest Polycarp in 160 AD, the Christians started to move him from house to house to protect him. But he was betrayed by a close friend. He was arrested and put on trial. They publically demanded that he rebuke his faith in Jesus and swear loyalty to Rome.
AND the Pro-Consul said: “I have wild beasts, I will deliver you to them, unless you repent.” And he said: “Call for them, for repentance from better to worse is not allowed us; but it is good to change from evil to righteousness;
When he would not swear, both the Romans and the Jews proceeded to martyr him by burning him at the stake and stabbing him. in the account, it says that Polycarp is the twelfth martyr in Smyrna.
So when you hear a story like that you can understand the ferocity of the Jews that Jesus is describing but also you can understand the next couple of verses. Jesus knows that these kinds of stories and situations are in their future.
Jesus reminds tell them a few things.
More tribulation is coming.
Remember that you are not fighting against people but the devil himself.
Remember who is saying “Do not fear”.
Remain faithful and He will give you the crown of life.
More tribulation is coming.
Honestly, the first question that comes into my head is “is what I am experiencing actual tribulation?”
Remember, tribulation is the pressure exerted on the edge of a sword as its cutting into enemy territory. Its the push back felt for advancing the kingdom of God.
So, my first question is the pressure you feel because you are advancing the kingdom of God in your life, in your family, in your workplace, and in your ministry that the enemy is pushing back but not winning?
I feel like that question has to be asked of each of us. because there is many reasons that we can experience pressure and push back from the enemy.
Some times its because we have let sin into our lives and we need to go back to what we talked about last week, Remember, Repent and Repeat.
Sometimes the pressure is because we are so focused on other things like work, school, and family stuff that we are barely allowing anytime to advance the kingdom. Witnessing to friends and neighbors is not an option for you because its too far out of your comfort zone. The pressure you are feeling is caused by being too conformed or too focused on the things of the world that eternal things or advancing the Kingdom of God isn’t something you have time for.
It’s interesting that to me that Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only two churches that Jesus to reprimand in His letter to them. This church is doing it right.
We need to be reminded that we as Christians should be expecting or experiencing so kind of pressure or opposition from this world or from then enemy. Jesus warned us about it and told us why and how to handle it.
Christ followers SHOULD EXPECT tribulation.
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Many teachers today preach a version of the gospel today that says that if you are a Christ follower, nothing is going to go wrong in your life. Live your best life now. Give to this ministry and God will bless your 10 times what you gave. It doesn’t take long to find pastors and teachers teaching this message that feels good to our ears but is void on this sound doctrine.
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
So i will not stand up here and tell you that being a Christian is easy and you everything in life is going to be great but as we will see in a minute, it is full of life.
But Jesus reminds them, that they are not fighting against flesh and blood but against the Satan.
2. Remember who we are fighting against.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
We must remember that when we are persecuted, we are not wrestling against people. We are not at war with those that disagree with us! We are not at war with those who are trying to take away our rights and freedoms. We are not at war with those who hate us.
Each and every one of those people are creations of God Himself. Each of them are sinners in need of a Savior just like us. Each of them are being drawn into a love-centered relationship with Jesus Christ. And the way that you handle their persecution could make the difference for their eternity!
As Jesus was beaten, whipped, spit on, mocked, nailed to a cross, and tormented on that cross for hours, not once did Jesus condemn those who were doing it. Not once did He write a Facebook post. Not once did He get mad or angry at them.
In fact, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
In fact, one of those soldiers who crucified Jesus eventually believed. I do not think that would have happened if Jesus didn’t remember that He wasn’t wrestling with flesh and blood but spiritual forces.
I think it was Tony Evens that said, “Our problem with fighting a spiritual fight is that we often try to fight it using physical weapons. When we realize that the fight is spiritual we realize that the only way to fight it is using the spiritual weapons of prayer and His word.”
3. Remember who is saying “Do not fear”.
Revelation chapter 1 verses 12-18
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Remember who is saying “Fear not”! Remember who said it!
Joshua is literally the tip of the spear pushing into the enemy territory and feeling that pressure with the Lord gives him this word,
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
When we go back to last week even, and return to our first love of Christ, when we are living a life surrounded and defined by the love of Christ and the love for Christ, then we remember that
1 John 4:18 (ESV)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
“Do not be afraid” and “Be faithful until death” are the two commands from Christ in this letter.
Perfect love cast out fear.
and we will go to great extents for someone we love. We will suffer for someone we love. We will go to great lengths to stay faithful for someone we love.
Once, again, LOVE IS KEY.
4. Hold to His promises.
Two promises, The crown of life and not being hurt by the second death.
The second one is easy to explain.
We as Christians believe that their are two deaths. One physically in the flesh and the second eternally in the spirit for those who do not know Jesus.
Jesus talks about it in Matthew chapter 25. But its clearly shown later in this book in
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Jesus us promising those who are in Him, those who are pursuing Him, those who are pushing back the enemy, those who are staying strong and not wavering in the faith that they will NOT be harmed by this second death.
What an amazing promise of Jesus. This is the promise of salvation. This is eternal life.
The second promise here is the “crown of life”. It’s interesting that the only two places in scripture that this crown is mentioned is here and back in the James passage we read earlier.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
I have read many different commentaries and theologians and they all have different opinions about exactly the “crown of life” is. Some say because of the James passage its something we receive in this life. Some say because of the Revelation passage, its something that we receive after we are death.
So, I’m here to tell you this morning that I have… NOT figured it out. haha
Because this is the only two places in scripture this crown is mentioned, its hard to say from these two passages exactly what it is.
But i was praying about this. If its supposed to be a thing that we want, If its supposed to be a thing that we hope to receive, Lord how do I try to convey that to your people.
And this is what He brought to mind.
A crown is a symbol for 3 things:
Inheritance
Wealth
Authority
Scripture is full of references to our inheritance. A simple Google search will show them but is one of my favorite passages.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
We have already seen how the church in Smyrna was reminded of true wealth that is found in Christ and His kingdom. But Jesus said
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
It is important to remember that our hearts should be treasuring the things of God over the things of this Earth. The church in Smyrna is found that even though they were poor in this earth, they were very very wealthy Spiritually.
We have looked at the authority of Jesus and His ability to say to us to not be afraid but this crown reminds us that we have come to share that authority with Jesus in our lives.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
All of the armor of Christ is about Jesus giving you His power to defeat the enemy. He has given your the strength and tool and weapons to defeat the enemy.
Ephesians 1 and 2 talk about how Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God and how we are seated WITH Him there! We have been given and have access to all of the power and authority that Jesus has.
This Crown that Jesus is promising is reminder of our position as sons and daughters of Christ and our inheritance is secure in Him and can be ours.
This crown is a reward for pursuing heavenly rewards and riches over riches of this earth.
This crown is a symbol and reminder of the authority that Jesus has given to us at His children.
the crown of life
Jesus promises 2 different lives. Abundant life and eternal life.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Eternal life
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus has promised you and I both an abundant life on this side of eternity but also eternal life that will never fade and will never end.
This is the promise of Jesus for a church and a people that are advancing God’s kingdom. This is His promise for those who stand firm in the faith and do not waver in the face of persecution. This is the promise for those suffer well for the cause of Christ.
I want to be that kind of Christian. Jesus wants us to be that kind of Church.