Smyrna: The Persecuted Church

Background:

Ismir, the third largest city in modern Turkey, is built on the rubble of ancient Smyrna.

Apparently it was considered the most beautiful city in Asia. because of its well thought out cityscape. There was a cohesiveness and a patter about the architecture that made it blend together.

Mount Pagus, had huge temples to Cybele, Apollo, Aesculapius, Aphrodite, and toward the top a notable shrine to Zeus himself. In addition to this plethora of religions, there is also evidence that Smyrna had become the center of Caesar worship for all Asia.

Smyrna: goddess of Rome, the spirit of Rome> worship dead Emperors> worshipping living Emperors.

23 A.D. built the first temple to worship Emperor Tiberius Caesar. The Roman Emperor Domitian was the first to demand worship.

It would be under this emperor that John was banished to the Island of Patmos, receiving this vision.

Claimed birth place of Homer. For Christians, Smyrna also became well known as the place of the execution of Polycarp, one of it most famous early martyrs.

This bishop of the church in Smyrna was executed there on February 23 AD 155. The story of his martyrdom is recored in a letter from the church of Smyrna to fellow believer in Philomelium.

Speculation: Polycarp could have been the pastor of this church during the writing of this Apocalypse. Polycarp spoke of serving Christ for 86 years.

Irenaeus confirms that Polycarp knew John, and in turn knew Polycarp.

Smyrna then was famous for two things: first, its beauty and, second, its suffering.

v. 8) Description of Jesus

What is important about the description Jesus gave this church?

The First and the Last: the one who speaks to the angel of the church at Smyrna is the One who precedes all creation and will remain when all else is gone.

Also suggests the preexistence and the eternality of Christ.

Who was dead, and came to life: a literal translation would be “the one who became dead and is alive again.” It is stressing that His death was neither an expected part of his existence as with all of the known forms of life, nor was it something that overtook him by surprise.

v. 9) Christ knows

What are the implications of Christ’ statement, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty?”

How would we define these terms: works, tribulation, and poverty?

How would this be encouraging?

Jesus knows these hardships both in the sense that He saw what happened to them.

Poverty: (πτωχεια): state of being deficient in means of support, extreme poverty. These Christians were not just poor.

These saints knew poverty because of their love and devotion to Christ:

Hebrews 10:34 NKJV

34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

Blasphemy: It is important to understand the dynamic of Smyrna. The church was composed with mostly gentiles. And they were attacked on two fronts. By the Roman religious zealots and the Jews.

There is also a sharp contrast between the church and synagogue. Church/εκκλησια: assembly or community.

There is a rigidness to the synagogue and a freedom in the assembly.

Romans 2:28–29 NKJV

28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Being an ethnic Jew cannot save you, only belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior will save a person. Jew or Gentile.

What does Jesus mean when He calls these saints rich?

Every outward circumstance said that the Christians in Smyrna were poor, even destitute, but Jesus sees through the circumstances to see that they were really rich.

I’m reminded that often times our estimation of ourselves is far less important than God’s estimation of us.

The contrast between material poverty and spiritual riches of the Christians in Smyrna reminds us that there is nothing inherently spiritual in being rich. Nevertheless, there is also nothing inherently spiritual in poverty.

[Example of Jesse]

Material riches are an obstacle to the kingdom of God, an obstacle that some do not overcome [Mark 10:23-25].

A story is told of the glory days of the Renaissance Papacy, when a man walked with the Pope and marveled at the splendors and riches of the Vatican. The Pope told him, “We no long have to say what Peter told the lame man: ‘Silver and gold have I none.’” His companion replied, “But neither can you say, ‘Rise up and walk.’”

v. 10) What Jesus wants them to do

Why does Jesus command them not to be afraid?

Do not be afraid: is literally translated as “stop being afraid.” These believers were under persecution, and they were afraid.

These believers were not going to alleviate their difficulties. The Lord offers instead the promise that some of them were going to be sent to prison as a part of testing and that they were going to experience tribulation for ten days.

Also, it seems to be that some were to anticipate martyrdom since the Lord urges them, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

10 days could refer to 3 things:

1st) Could simply mean a numerical meaning indicating the thoroughness of persecution.

2nd) Could mean ten distinctive persecution that would come and be felt at Smyrna.

3rd) A period in which those who were to be sent forth in gladiatorial combat were imprisoned.

4th) Ten Roman Emperors

5th) 10 days = 240 hours, which makes up the number of years from 85AD to 324 AD.

Crown of life: There are two greek words for crown. One for a king to wear, and the one used here—στεφανος (stephanos)—is given to a winning athlete.

v. 11) The promise of reward.

He who overcomes: This is a promise for overcomers. Overcoming the threat of persecution, and the presence of persecution.

Something to be mindful of is our close association with Jesus: John 16:33

John 16:33 NKJV

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Shall not be hurt: Those who overcome in Christ will never be hurt by the second death.

The second death is the lake of fire: Revelation 20:14, Revelation 21:8.

Despite Satan’s threats and attacks their lives and ours are found in Christ. These are just one of the many promises Christ gives us.

“The second death was a Jewish rabbinic expression for the total extinction of the utterly wicked.”—Barclay

HW:

Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’